tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41048355777094786042024-02-19T16:31:09.961-08:00Mexican FoodTalking about mexican food is much more than chili, tacos and tequila. Mexico has a territory of nearly 2 million square kms and a history of more than 700 years. This vast territory encloses a great variety of environment, flora and fauna.
These climatic variation, vast range of flora and fauna, long history and huge territory has developed a rich cultural and gastronomic tradition which Mexico is proud of.
Browse through this blog ti find out more of mexican traditions, foods and culture.Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-83191164464131215532008-09-23T18:00:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:12:11.367-07:00Mexican Food<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImDt5dgSqvcOv-Bbbeorx1C0P6fUTNaXrMkcnFJY9tTrWwEep-JK5OJoYohLv37SOvqua8ye3mnQeeK3OBKLa9Rzcv_T7-sNE9wg40B5Lb_K2mHqPKmZ7AGGUglnFkj0Wh7A-NO3RHD4/s1600-h/DSC00054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064625390327119154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImDt5dgSqvcOv-Bbbeorx1C0P6fUTNaXrMkcnFJY9tTrWwEep-JK5OJoYohLv37SOvqua8ye3mnQeeK3OBKLa9Rzcv_T7-sNE9wg40B5Lb_K2mHqPKmZ7AGGUglnFkj0Wh7A-NO3RHD4/s200/DSC00054.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>alking about mexican food is much more than chili, tacos and tequila. While chili, tacos and tequila are truly a deep Mexico’s icon; its traditions, flavors and costumes goes far beyond.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">M</span>exico has a territory of nearly 2 million square kms (1,923.040 kms^2) and a history of more than 700 years, starting long time before 1325, official foundation year for the Aztec Empire, ruled by the Mexicas. (read as ‘Maesheecas’). This vast territory encloses, as it could be expected, a great variety of environment, flora and fauna. Climate range goes from the deserts and forests to sunny beaches, some with warm and others with cold water. Thise climatic variation, vast range of flora and fauna, long history and huge territory has developed a rich cultural and gastronomic tradition which Mexico is proud of.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>t this Blog we will be making a magic travel from the northern "cabrito" to the southern "cochinita" and from the famous eastern "veracruz coffee" to the western "pozole", discovering the magic, enchants, traditions and flavors of the Mexican Food. I won't rewrite the recipes and history you can find at other sites. I'll give you some references to that sites and I'll talk about the facts you'll find when you go to Mexico. So you'll learn a little bit of mexican history and traditions and a lot of current stuff going on up there in Mexico.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Y</span>ou can navigate the blog through the index located on the right top or with the blog file located on the bottom right of this mexican food page.</div>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-54007313567041844372008-09-22T17:36:00.000-07:002008-09-28T06:04:39.319-07:00TEX-MEX FOODTEX-MEX and Mexican Food are many times used indifferently and/or mistaken one for the other. However, there are clear differences between them. Tex Mex food took its roots from Mexican Food but added different elements alongtime from other cuisines like Spanish, Southern-USA and northern Mexico. Tex-Mex at its present form has added some other industrialized elements from a nostalgic growing mexican population in Southern United States, who demanded something alike Mexican Food.<br /><br />Although the term "TEX-MEX" was first applied to American influenced "Mexican Food" in the 1940's, the history of this food goes back to the mission era, when spanish and mexican food elements were combined in the northern part of New Spain, Texas.<br /><br />On the other hand, the term Tex Mex was formerly applied as a nickname for the Texas-Mexican Railway, in 1875.<br /><br />From the 1800's to date, a lot of elements have been added to TEX-MEX food.<br /><br />1800's - Blend of Spanish and Mexican elements in Texas were added.<br />1900's - Americanized elements like yellow melted cheese, corn-chips and taco shells were added.<br /><br />There is a lot of Tex-Mex inventions who are well known around the world as "Mexican Food". However, in most cases you won't be able to find those inventions in Mexico. Some of them are: chili con carne, chili con queso, chili gravy, fajitas, taco shells, nachos and burritos. All of them are Tex-Mex foods and in many cases they are hard to find in Mexico or not available at all.<br /><br />We are not saying that Mexican Food or Tex-Mex Food is better or worse. We simply want to emphasize they are different. And we want to show you what is really mexican. This way, when you visit Mexico, you won't feel disspointed because you order your "Chili con Carne" and they give you a strange look asking "What is that?"<br /><br />For more reference, visit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tex-Mex_cuisine">Tex-Mex Cuisine at Wikipedia</a> and the <a href="http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodmexican.html">Mexican Food Timeline website</a>.Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-80297330779676237502007-06-06T19:40:00.000-07:002008-03-22T07:44:47.372-07:00Corn and Esquites<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2cEaZhhN_E-wz2Iwm97GPBpycamKO2UTzrMOVA13eSvCRm67FiYAJ6w9Aof9PTh3aKpIK4XXm22lXrv0NI5j7eLjYEsVxS0Entw1nbMMI_L_PWzxHfjBa-5zqCbNNlHf0mR6JgD3_-g/s1600-h/esquites.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073886771097498386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2cEaZhhN_E-wz2Iwm97GPBpycamKO2UTzrMOVA13eSvCRm67FiYAJ6w9Aof9PTh3aKpIK4XXm22lXrv0NI5j7eLjYEsVxS0Entw1nbMMI_L_PWzxHfjBa-5zqCbNNlHf0mR6JgD3_-g/s200/esquites.jpg" border="0" /></a>C</span>orn on the <span style="font-size:180%;">c</span>ob and <span style="font-size:180%;">e</span>squites</span>, mmmmhhh! We are getting into "the domain of real sabor" (real flavor), as Tony Cohan said in his book "On Mexican Time", which I really recommend you to read. And as you are probably aware, Mexico is slathered with churches, mainly catholic ones. Well, It is a real tradition in the cold winter nights, when you have acomplish with your catholic dutties and you are just leaving the church, to eat Corns at its Cob or Esquites. Nothing compares with the aromatic scent perceived out of the church when somebody is just there selling esquites for you.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">C</span>orns are served with chilli, lemon and mayonaisse, although sometimes the mayo is changed for cream and cheese. Either way they are deliciuos, and simple to prepare. Give them a try !<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">N</span>ow, esquites are a little more complicated to prepare. For esquites, you just use the corn kernels, not the cob. The kernels are mixed with aromatic herbs (here is where the scent comes from), chilli, lemon and salt. They are served on a cup and on top of it, it's added the same ingredients as in the cobs; chilli, lemon and mayonaisse. Delicious !<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Y</span>ou can see a picture of the mexican way to eat the corn <a href="http://www.macrepsa.com.mx/elotes.html#">here</a>. Enjoy your favourite mexican food.Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-60860522041301429342007-05-25T07:08:00.000-07:002007-06-08T19:37:55.355-07:00Chicharrón with Cueritos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hHS4e7xCJmw5lMFYhHioiVavEKljqsNcTRbm4bqKpMoqiDFM55Dd7DZYChJHCc1-4hZ0JLOaGRuhRBupcY6MqACx420EtNVgk8Jf2dfopFZPjysB93CX5_TB7aIl9tPjY5Z84eOCVGM/s1600-h/puesto_chicharrones.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073888192731673378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hHS4e7xCJmw5lMFYhHioiVavEKljqsNcTRbm4bqKpMoqiDFM55Dd7DZYChJHCc1-4hZ0JLOaGRuhRBupcY6MqACx420EtNVgk8Jf2dfopFZPjysB93CX5_TB7aIl9tPjY5Z84eOCVGM/s200/puesto_chicharrones.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Chicharrón with Cueritos</strong>. All right, all right... I couldn't find the exact translation for this delicacy, so I'll call them chicharrones with pork skin. I sadly found the next translation at some dictionaries: "Residue of hogs' fat". It's the poorest way to describe it. What I really liked was the ample definition I found at Wikipedia, even in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_rind">English </a>and <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicharrón">Spanish</a>. Whether you could preffer to read the definition in English, I really encourage you to have a look at the spanish description where you can find a <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicharrón">picture </a>of the mexican chicharron. And for those who doesn't want to bother themselves going to those links, I just say the following 3 facts:<br /><div align="justify"><br /><strong>1)</strong> The mexican chicharrón is basically made with the skin pork, not the fat (although we have a different variation called pressed chicharron, which is made mainly with fine chopped pork -residues, say others-) </div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><strong>2)</strong> Chicharron is prepared slightly different at diverse regions of the planet with singular names: United States: pork rind and cracklings; Canada: scrunchions; United Kingdom: pork crackling and pork scratching; France: gratons; Serbia cvarci; and Philippines: chicharon. </div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><strong>3)</strong> Chicharron is widespread in Latin America at countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Argentina and the island of Utila. At those places is eaten as snack and with different dishes like cachapas, arepas, popusas, tacos and gorditas.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">N</span>ow lets get to the point: How is it sold in Mexico. It is sold in a very particular vehicle, whcih you can find at fairies, outside of a church or at some parks. This vehicle is a work pushing bike with three wheels in which it's addapted a sort of display cabinet and then the chicharron is served with the cueritos. But hey! I haven't explain yet what the cueritos are ! Well, as you can imagine, is pork skin ( same as chicharron), but instead of been fried, the cueritos are prepared in brine (water saturated or nearly saturated with salt). </div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>he chicharron with cueritos is usually served with tomato, avocado, lettuce, cream and spicy sauce. Once again, I invite you to visit the definition at <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicharrón">wikipedia to see a picture of the mexican chicharrón</a>. I'm really having the appetite for it ! Don't you?</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ave a delicious day enjoying your favorite mexican food. And don't forget to make a spare part to share with us ! </div>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-1913036069464741252007-05-24T07:05:00.000-07:002007-05-25T07:11:13.419-07:00Sweet Potatoes and Bananas with Condensed Milk<ul><li><div align="justify"><strong>Sweet Potatoes and bananas with condensed milk</strong>. Now you are getting into the mexican contemporary traditional food. At any Mexican suburb or even at any town you are in Mexico you'll hear a sound that could remind you that of a train. That whistle will tell you is already dinner time. Normally, sweet potatos and bananas are sold in the cold winter nights. ( Just a note, by the way. In Mexico the main meal is eaten between 2.00 and 4.00 pm, and the dinner, although is not very light, is not the main meal of the day.) So you can go out to the street and ask for your favorite, which could be the sweet potato or the banana. Now, they are brought in a well closed trolley with draws for the bananas and the sweet potatoes. This trolley is filled with coal. Therefore, the bananas and sweet potatos are cooked by steam and heat. And the whistle you heard is exactly the same as in a steam train. It's produced by burning coal. They will be served with condensed milk. Now you are done. Just get back into your place, heat up your milk and enjoy ! </div></li></ul><div align="justify"><br /><a href="http://soy-tinkerbell.blogspot.com/2007/03/mi-nuevo-trabajo.html">LOOK AT THIS FANTASTIC BLOG</a> to see a picture of the famous sweet potato trolley (carrito de camotes) and if you have a good spanish understanding, you'll find an excellent sample of the collquial and fine mexican double sense. </div><div align="justify"> </div>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-8019166778539709372007-05-23T16:54:00.000-07:002009-10-13T04:36:12.533-07:00Tamales<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzszLy7ulzN8a_PI2HNcL1NlGWLFxKCMSfhQZgm5Zv5TwyPAhQuWAkIE1dWAj0MIlcauc3QbMbW9LWd6ZZv2vBOiwRhBfktT4db5k5d1F04QJ8BabGNOtdR4xgBTQ4deaNP_Q3yeXCLf4/s1600-h/Tamales+mayo+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067910744249031074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzszLy7ulzN8a_PI2HNcL1NlGWLFxKCMSfhQZgm5Zv5TwyPAhQuWAkIE1dWAj0MIlcauc3QbMbW9LWd6ZZv2vBOiwRhBfktT4db5k5d1F04QJ8BabGNOtdR4xgBTQ4deaNP_Q3yeXCLf4/s200/Tamales+mayo+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;">L</span>ets talk about the daily breakfast for thousands of Mexicans: the delicious <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span><span style="font-size:130%;">AMALES</span></strong>. But hang on ! wait a moment ! When we talk about tamales, we have to talk about Atoles as well. This is turning very interesting. Here we go ! Just imagine you're now in México City... more than 20 million people in the same city... no time for breakfast... Of course you are plenty of choices: fast food, good restaurants, etc. Now, just to have you in the right picture, one more thing: Mexico City is located in the northern temperate zone of the planet. So, is not cold, not warm, just the perfect weather. Of course there are variations according with the season, but the weather there is normally beautiful. Let's back to the point. Nevertheless, a normal morning in Mexico City is a little cold all along the year. Then, you'll be looking for something warm. And of course, something with enough energy to keep you going the whole day. Remember, when you live in a city with more than 20 million people and the commute average is about 2 hours a day, you have no much time to eat. And then, just in the gate of your office or in the corner where you get out of your bus is a trolley with delicious, warm and energetic tamales and atole... mmmh!<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CIpms85-bQBRmmr2XMRvp5DbXMT_4YoVdg0n60KlXVbwHcR4wb8RQ4fZJ8mUVdTxQiFQ3czyffLkTbbSi5wNl7kMbzfdfqXDDEyCGqzBR7eWI5si9tzNy4GlJVDvA7sZJrXDSIA9oWU/s1600-h/Tamales+mayo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067911409968961970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CIpms85-bQBRmmr2XMRvp5DbXMT_4YoVdg0n60KlXVbwHcR4wb8RQ4fZJ8mUVdTxQiFQ3czyffLkTbbSi5wNl7kMbzfdfqXDDEyCGqzBR7eWI5si9tzNy4GlJVDvA7sZJrXDSIA9oWU/s200/Tamales+mayo.jpg" border="0" /></a>But let me told you what are the tamales and atole. As you probably already know, mexican diet have been based on corn from hundreds of years. Tamales is a mix of corn flour with animal lard and water, then filled with pork, chicken or chilli with cheese. That mix could be wrapped either in corn or banana leaves and steamed for hours. The corn wrapped tamales are the "common" ones and the banana leaf wrapped are known as "chiapanecos" or "veracruzanos" (named after the mexican Chiapas and Veracruz states) or simply as "banana leaf" tamales. Atole is a mix of milk, wheat flour, fruit or syrup and species. The most common flavors are strawberry, chocolate (with a little variation sometimes known as "champurrado" instead of atole, but this is made with corn flour) and cajeta (burn milk)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Visit <a href="http://www.lajornadamichoacan.com.mx/2006/04/04/19n1cul.html">this link </a>to see two beautiful pictures of the typical "tamales y atole" stall and trolley. There you'll find a brief description of the "<a href="http://www.lajornadamichoacan.com.mx/2006/04/04/19n1cul.html">Atole Fair</a>". </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Finally, if you live in Melbourne or at the surrounding suburbs, you can enjoy authentic tamales and atole by visiting our websites at <a href="http://www.tastytamales.com.au/">www.tastytamales.com.au</a> and <a href="http://www.cualli.com.au/">www.cualli.com.au</a> </div><div align="justify"> </div>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-65087595189105352112007-05-22T19:21:00.000-07:002007-05-23T17:08:49.169-07:00Tacos in a Basket<ul><li><div align="justify"><strong>Tacos in a Basket</strong>. This special kind of tacos are sold in a very particular way. They are carried in a bike holding a basket with tacos in there. Then, when the cyclist-trader finds a good spot, he stands there and starts the selling. Normally, a good spot for the tacos in a basket could be outside of a building under construction or outside of an office complex. Tacos in a basket are normally small and a normal person could have about three or more. They come with different fillings like potato, beans and beef. Those are the normal ones, although you can find them with other fillings. </div></li></ul><div align="justify">Tacos in a basket are known "sweated tacos" (Tacos sudados) as well because they are steamed when prepared. If you want to make them <a href="http://www.clubplaneta.com.mx/cocina/receta_de_cocina_para_preparar_tacos_sudados.htm">CLICK HERE </a>to find a good recipe. Give it a try and don't forget to share with us.</div><div align="justify"> </div>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-13105260681428214462007-05-21T16:19:00.000-07:002007-05-22T19:32:12.048-07:00Meringues<div align="justify">Let's get into the popular mexican streets tradition:</div><ul><li><strong>Meringues (Merengues y Gaznates) </strong>. Oh ! What a tradition ! In the streets of Mexico's city suburbs are men walking around with a tray on top of their head where they bring meringues and "gaznates" ( if somebody knows the translations for gaznate, please send it to me. Ta). But before explaying what tey are, let me talk about how are they sold and trade. Those men are walking around the streets shouting " Hay mereeeeeeengueeees ! " (Got meringues). Then you know you can get out to the street and start the trade. </li></ul><p align="justify">In Mexico you are always plenty of choices:<br />1 ) You can ask him the price and:<br />+ Just buy it, or<br />+ Ask for the lowest price and make your offer. This is good, mainly if you are buying more than one. You can get a very good price. And, if it is the end of the day and you see the tray is almost full, you can get it complete for a few bucks.<br />2 ) Now, your best, most popular and funny choice: play them in a toss. You can ask the meringue tradesman to make a toss. It could be for a single meringue, a couple or the whole tray. Usually, you previously decide with him if it'll be decided in the first toss or who wins two out of three. Frequently, the toss goes rising from one or two meringues to the whole tray. And of course, if you win you'll take the meringues; but if you loose, you have to pay for them and won't get anything. But don't stay with the appetite, you can still buy as many as you wish after loose your money. Good Luck !</p><p align="justify">I'm looking for my own good photos and recipes. In the mean time, <a href="http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/voceador/voceador19/html/merengues.html">click here</a> to see a picture of this famous mexican food: "meringues & gaznates".</p><p align="justify"> </p>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104835577709478604.post-80446269145720701442007-05-20T19:34:00.000-07:002007-05-21T16:25:55.526-07:00Mexican Food in The Streets<div align="justify">Let's start with the popular "Street" mexican food. I'd been asked lots of times what do we really eat in Mexico. And of course we eat all the international stuff like chicken, beef, fries, soups, salads, etc. But Mexico has an awesome variety of popular mexican food which is eaten daily at the streets. Yes! Just at the streets ! Where ever you are, there is people selling food from their pushing bikes, motor bikes, little trolleys and stalls. Here are some samples of that. In time, I'll be adding photos and longer explanations to each of them: </div><ul><li><div align="justify">Meringues (Merengues y Gaznates)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Tacos in a Basket (Tacos de canasta)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Tamales</div></li><li><div align="justify">Sweet Potatos and bananas with condensed milk (Camotes y Plátanos con leche)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Pork Rind with Skin Pork(Chicharrón con cueritos)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Corn and esquites (Elotes y Esquites)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Flavored Water (Aguas de sabores)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Flavored Milk (Licuados)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Sandwiches or Focaccias (Tortas)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Chilaquiles</div></li><li><div align="justify">Tacos with a dish (Tacos de Guisado)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Beef Tacos (Tacos )</div></li></ul><div align="justify"><br />And of course, Nachos and Burritos are eaten in Mexico, but not as much as you thought. Taco Shells should be eaten in Mexico. They are a great idea to save time frying and enjoy the exotic, delicious and great mexican food.</div><div align="justify"> </div>Rick Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04365712696031273251noreply@blogger.com0