Everyone has a favorite Mexican dish

Join Raquel Moran, owner of the award-winning El Maguey Mexican Restaurant on a tour through some of her favorite Mexican dishes.

 

There are many options for filling your stomach, whether you're looking for something classic like tacos, or something Tex-Mex fusion such as fajitas. You can make some foods at home that will make you feel like your dining experience at a Mexican restaurant. Do you know the history of your favorite Mexican dishes and how they came to be? What is the secret to making some of these dishes so popular in America? 

 

Enchiladas

Enchiladas were first mentioned in the 19th Century, but they only became popular at the start of the 20th. Although some people believe that the Aztecs are responsible for the creation of this dish, there is no evidence to support the claim. Enchiladas in Mexico are often topped with fresh cream and fresh cheese. They are usually topped with melted cheese, and served with Mexican rice, pico de gallo and shredded lettuce in the United States. Enchiladas may seem daunting, but they are a simple dish that can be made in under an hour.

Tacos

Tacos are a Mexican staple. They can be made with chicken, beef, or pork and served in either a soft or hard tortilla shell. Some of the most popular tacos date back to the mid-19th-century. Mexico was still in its early industrialization period. Women who immigrated to Mexico City during this time would sell food on the streets to workers and use regional recipes. The earliest tacos were made with cheap organ meats and other simple ingredients. Tacos arrived in America in the early 1900s. They were stuffed with cheap organ meats and other humble ingredients.

 

Tortas

There are many types of tortas in Mexico. The fillings and breads vary from one region to another. Bolillo is the Mexican equivalent of a French roll or telera bread. A traditional torta can also be made on this flat and wide tortilla. On both sides of the sliced bread are spread mayonnaise and refried beans. Then, fill it with meat, chicken, ham, seafood, and many other options.

 

You can garnish the sandwich with onions, tomatoes and avocados. Although not much is known about the origins of these tasty sandwiches, some believe they were inspired by the French colonization. The French introduced the tradition to Mexicans of baking bread, which was then modified by the Mexicans.

 

Mole

Mole is a thick and spicy sauce that's often served with chicken, turkey or pork. This sauce is made from chili peppers that you might find in some of world's most spicy hot sauces. It also contains chocolate and other condiments. The Aztec language word "molli" means sauce. This sauce is often associated with Puebla in Mexico. However, each state has its own version. Many stories are told about the origins of this spicy sauce. One legend states that a nun made the spicy sauce when she received unexpected visits from the Viceroy of New Spain and Archbishop Puebla in the 17th Century.

 

Tortillas

Tortillas can be found in many Mexican and Central American dishes. Tortillas are a versatile ingredient that has evolved into many of the delicious dishes we love to eat today. Traditional tortillas are made from masa (or corn dough), which is boiled in water and lime, then cooked on a flat plate over a flame. It is believed that the original corn tortilla was created in Mexico around 8,000 years ago. Different types of tortillas were created with the introduction of wheat in the 16th century. These include the soft wheat flour tortillas that are used today for burritos. You can create a new take on the classic grilled cheese sandwich by using a tortilla.

 

Quesadilla

Quesadilla is named after its main ingredient, cheese. Simply grab a corn tortilla or flour tortilla and fold it over with some melted cheese to make a quesadilla. There are many other ingredients you can add to your quesadilla, including meat, beans, and potatoes. Although cheese may be considered the most important ingredient in this appetizer by some, it is not mandatory in Mexico City. You may have to ask for cheese in your quesadilla.

 

Fajitas

Fajitas are a Texas favorite. The origins of this popular Tex-Mex food have been studied and many iterations can be traced back to the 1930s. Mexican cowboys received parts of the cattle on ranches in Texas' western and southern parts. This included the hide, head, and entrails as well as trimmings such as the skirt. These cuts were also used in other dishes like menudo. The fajita was made with skirt steak marinated in lime juice, then cooked on an open fire. It was served with a wheat flour tortilla and various condiments. Although it is not clear where the menudo originated, it is popular in Mexico and other Latin American countries as well as Spain and Portugal. Each country may have its own name and spin on the dish. In Mexico menudo could refer to small cuts of meat like chicken wings or cow feet. To make Mexican soup, however, only cow stomach is used. To learn how to prepare this delicious dish at home, you can enroll in an online cooking course.

 

Tamales

Tamales can be traced back to 7000 B.C. It was a Mexican and Central American dish. Tamal is a Mexican term that comes from Aztec "tamal", which refers to a type or corn cake or dough that has been individually wrapped in banana leaves and corn husks before being steam-cooked. Tamales can also be filled with meats, vegetables, and fruits, as well as beans, with salsa or chili poured on top. They are one of many favorite foods that have been around since more than 100 years.

 

Chalupas

Chalupas are a Mexican favorite snack food. Although you can find many variations of the chalupa throughout the country, the original chalupa is found in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. The Mexican chalupa, unlike the tacos at Taco Bell, is a thin pie made of corn dough that looks like a boat. The Mexican chalupa is then filled with salsa, shredded lettuce and crumbled cheese, as well as meat.

 

Nachos

During the coronavirus pandemic, nachos were one of America's most popular food items. This popular snack food can be found in restaurants, bars, and even cinemas. How did this Tex-Mex delight become such a common American snack? In a Mexican restaurant near the border of Texas and Mexico, the first plate of nachos were introduced. Ignacio "Nacho", a worker at the restaurant, was asked by some American Army officers to prepare snacks for their wives. Anaya got out of the kitchen and gathered a few fried tortillas. He then spread yellow cheese over them, then cooked the dish. He added some sliced jalapenos to the dish and served it to his wife. Nachos were a hit in Texas and were sold at a concession at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, Texas in 1964.

 

Tequila

Tequila is Mexico's national liquor. It is also a common ingredient in many of your favorite cocktails. Tequila was created in Jalisco, Mexico in a small town of the same name. The European method of distilling liquor was used to make this drink. Pulque, a fermented drink made from low alcohol content agave plants, has been produced since ancient times. Pulque is not meant to be consumed immediately, but it goes through the distillation process in order to make tequila.

 

Guacamole

Guacamole, one of the most well-known sauces in the world, is a popular choice. To make the best guacamole, mash some avocados with onions, garlic and chili pepper. Although avocados are mistakenly thought to be vegetables, they were cultivated as food back in 10000 B.C. Guacamole was not invented until the colonial period of Mexico. Although the Aztecs prepared similar snacks, the first references to guacamole were made in the early 20th century. It doesn't take a Mexican passport to enjoy burritos of exceptional quality. But do you know how this iconic dish was created? Food historians have linked the origins of the burrito with the Aztecs and Mayas, who used tortillas in many of their recipes. Spanish explorers brought wheat and other foreign ingredients to Mexico in the 16th century. The wheat flour tortilla was born. It is easier to wrap than a corn tortilla and can be wrapped around many different ingredients.

 

Elote

One street food that is worth trying is the Elote. It can be found at many Mexican festivals and markets, but it is also a popular street food that can be easily found in American cities such as Los Angeles and New York. Elote is made by a vendor using a long ear corn that has been boiled or grilled. Then they add mayonnaise and lime, cheese, chili powder, and other seasonings. The traditional snack is sold in cones or cups. It also symbolizes how corn has been a key ingredient in Mexican cuisine, having been domesticated over 8,000 years ago.

 

Pozole

Pozole, a Mexican traditional soup or stew, is made from corn, pork, or other meats. Although the original pozole was created in Jalisco, Mexico (the state where it originated), there are many variations. Although the origins of pozole are not clear, historians have made connections to other dishes that used corn and other vegetables in the pre-Columbian period. Pozole became a Mexican favourite in the 1920s, when it was used to celebrate Mexican music, traditions and food. It has been a popular dish at Christmas parties and celebrations. This soup can be made ahead and frozen for weeknights.

Salsa

Salsa is an important condiment in Mexican cuisine. Although salsa may be thought to refer to a hot red tomato-based sauce in the United States, salsa can also be used in Mexico as a condiment or as a marinade for meat. Salsa is a traditional Mexican condiment that has existed since the Aztecs' time. It can be made from tomatillos and jalapenos to make salsa verde or pico de gallo. This uses fresh chopped tomatoes and garlic, and then seasoned with oil and lime juice. Pace Foods, San Antonio, was the first company to introduce salsa to America's market in 1947. It's now easy to find salsa in your local grocery store.

 

Frijoles

Frijoles refers to Mexican beans. Like corn, beans are a staple in Mexican cooking. They are also a major source of protein in Mexico. Beans are not only one of the oldest cultivated plants of America and Mexico, they are also very easy to grow, so it is no surprise that many of your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes contain beans.

 

Carne Asada

A fun fact about Texas chili is that it doesn't contain beans. Carne asada is thinly sliced beef that has been seasoned with salt, garlic salt, and other spices. It is then grilled on an open barbecue. This dish was not created until Spanish explorers brought domesticated animals to Central America. Mexico City was able to provide regular supplies of beef by 1526. This led to the creation and popularity of carne asada tacos. Carne asada is also a delicious addition to eggs.

 

Chiles En Nogada

This Mexican traditional dish is the star of Mexico's Independence Day festivities. Chiles En Nogada are chilis that have been stuffed with ground pork, dried fruits, and then covered with a creamy nut sauce. This dish was invented in 1821 by Puebla's nuns. They used seasonal ingredients when they were asked to prepare a dish in honor of Mexican General Agustin De Iturbide. To highlight the Mexican flag colors, the stuffed chilis were served with a nut sauce and garnished with parsley. You can make many other recipes at home using ingredients you already have in your kitchen, much like the way this dish was made. Who doesn't love Mexican food? It's rich and spicy, vibrant, and extremely unique in its use flavors. Find out about the history and evolution of Mexican cuisine.

 

To find out more about these traditional dishes, visit the El Maguey Menu