Mexico

Learning New Methods of Cooking Mexican Cuisine

Mexico shares many cooking methods with other parts of the world, but they do have a few that you may not be familiar with. Like you, they fry, boil, and grill. But have you ever tried a steaming bucket? Have you tried a molcajete?

Steaming is a popular method in Mexican cookery. A dish known as barbacoa is cooked by wrapping meat in a cactus or banana leaf and steaming it over water that is boiling inside a pit. Steaming buckets are the traditional way to cook tamales. Steam keeps the masa on the outside of the filling moist. Today, many Mexican cooks use special kettles that allow them to cook many types of tamale at the same time. Sweating is another method used, especially to remove the skin on fresh chilies. Onions and chilies are also soaked frequently to make them a bit more mild. Letting them soak in milk or a water and vinegar solution for half an hour to an hour will remove some of the heat.

You are still thinking about the molcajete, are not you? A molcajete is a mortar and pestle. This is a small tool used to grind herbs, spices, and grains. When a lot of corn needed to be ground up, Mexican families would use a metate y mano. This was a large stone with a smooth, slightly concave face. Today, many families buy masa already ground up, but some families still do this task in the traditional way.

Mexican cooks often simmer and boil their food. Vegetables and meat may be placed into a pot to slowly cook all day long. By dinner time, the meat is so tender it falls to pieces. The meat is then used for carnitas, tacos, and many other recipes.

Grilling is a popular method of cooking in Mexico. The open flame adds so much flavor to the dish. Many meats are marinated in spices and peppers and then grilled so they can be used in various recipes. Grilling and roasting increases the flavor of tomatoes, garlic, onions, chilies and tomatillos. The flame kisses the ingredients, caramelizing the sugars and creating delicious flavors.

Stewing is a traditional method of cooking that has been used in Mexico since time immemorial. The long cooking times needed for proper stewing were common. At times, the vegetables and meats were cooked separately and then combined for further simmering before serving. Today, this is often done in a Dutch oven. In days gone by, this was done in a clay cazuela.

You can also use some quick Mexican recipes that will have you eating dinner before you know it. Not every dish needs to be cooked all day long. Do not be afraid to try some new techniques now and then. Learn about new cooking methods and adapt them to your needs. Incorporating new cooking techniques can increase your cooking skills and it is a lot of fun to try new foods.

There is so much to learn about the fascinating tapestry of Mexican cuisine. The depth of flavors and cooking methods that provide them are such an interesting study all by themselves.

Enchiladas are known all over the world, like a lot of other Mexican foods, perhaps because they are a unique food and nothing else will do when you have an enchilada craving! Enchiladas are easy to make yourself and they make a really tasty and filling dinner for the family.

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