How2Day: Top 8 Famous Foods in Mexico

One of the top eight famous foods in Mexico is the Tortillas. Chicken Tacos image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com
Mexico is a country full of history, color and traditions. Its food is reflective of the people who have harvested the land, and cooked food over open fires in ceramic ware. Mexican cuisine has produced exceptional rich and spicy dishes that are known throughout the world. Due to the increasing demand of Mexican foods, most supermarkets now carry many of the ingredients required to cook authentic Mexican dishes.

Mexicans have eaten tortillas for many generations. They are made from flour or maize. Tortillas traditionally are used as bread. The Aztecs developed the concept of using tortillas to wrap around food. Today, tortillas are rolled and baked in enchiladas, fried for tacos or grilled for quesadillas.

Salsa, a Spanish word for sauce, is uncooked and often pureed until chunky or smooth. Salsa is a staple in Mexican cuisine and has been for many generations. Modern salsas incorporate red and green tomatoes, onion, chipotles, avocado and cilantro. Salsas are served as a relish or dip to accompany a meal.

Frijoles, or beans, provide lean protein to the Mexican diet. Beans are boiled, then fried to create re-fried beans. They are served as a side dish. "Food and Wine" suggests an alternative for cooking black beans. Beans can be blended into a soup and garnished with avocado salsa for a more modern take.

Chiles are a staple in the Mexican diet. A large chile pepper produces a mild flavor, and can be stuffed and served as a main dish. The smaller chiles, known as habaneros, are notoriously hot and should be eaten with care.

Guacamole is one of the most famous Mexican foods. Avocados are mashed and blended with onions, chiles and cilantro. Guacamole is served as a dip or garnish. Hass avocados are preferred. Lime or lemon juice should be added to prevent the avocado from turning brown.

Mole sauce ranks as a famous food of Mexico because of its unlikely ingredients--chocolate, chiles and spices make up this rich sauce. Mole sauce is slow-cooked to incorporate flavors, and is often served over chicken or turkey.

Ceviche was created by the Incas by eating raw fish with spices. Native American chefs from Ecuador and Peru later began to add citrus fruits. The acids produced by the fruit lightly cook the fish, creating the dish we know today. Raw fish is marinated in lime juice and served in a salad.

Huachinango, also know as red snapper, can be found on many menus in Mexico. Huachinango is served "al gusto," which means, cooked in a variety of ways.

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