One thing needs to be clarified: half of the recipes that are internationally thought of as the most representative of Mexican food are actually Tex-Mex, from the southern United States (perhaps that makes them moderately Mexican, because before those territories were part of them from the country). In any case, there is no need to worry, because they are not the best 50% of that gastronomy.
Other important information: anyone with a certain culture about Mexican recipes should know that tacos never have a hard tortilla, with the exception of the case where the tortilla is flat and the ingredients cover it (and then we speak of tostadas) or when it comes to fried tacos (folded or rolled, known as flautas or tacos dorados). You should also know that the tortilla can be made from corn or wheat and that the trend is to use the former more in the south-central zone of the country, and the second towards the north.
After the basic theory, I clarify that this list is not based on a series of assumptions, but on extensive research that has taken me years, and that has (very honorably) gained a few pounds. But one life is not enough to say that all Mexican recipes have been tried, for different reasons: the wide variety of dishes, that you have to be brave to dare to try all the ingredients, that tolerance to spicy has to be high. , that you have to go all over a really big country. The advantage is that the price of Mexican dishes (in their country of origin) is really affordable: you don’t have to be a millionaire to eat like a king in southern North America.
12 MEXICAN FOOD DISHES YOU MUST TRY BEFORE YOU DIE
In this text, you will find a count (because surely there is going to be some disagreement) that seeks to make a complete photo of Mexican gastronomy, according to my vision, because it was I who gave myself the job of writing this testament. If you die without trying all their recipes, for the record you were warned.
1- TACOS AL PASTOR
If the inhabitants of Mexico City had to take a single meal to a desert island, this would most likely be it. They are influenced by the cuisine of the Ottoman Empire, and mix marinated pork in a top (yes, similar to shawarma) with corn tortilla, pineapple, onion, coriander, and doses of lemon and hot sauce to taste.
2- ENCHILADAS
The folded and stuffed tortillas, dipped in some sauce, could replace the center of the Mexican flag. The most popular are the Swiss (which are not at all European), the red ones, the green ones (and better if they are au gratin).
3- GUACAMOLE
To think of avocado and not to think of guacamole is to have no sense of fun. It is usually eaten with tortilla chips or nachos.
4- TAMALES
Another of the most internationally known Mexican food dishes. In its most widespread version, it is cooked wrapped in corn hour, although there are regional variants wrapped in banana leaves.
Tamales have variants in several Latin American countries.
5- CHILAQUILES
A Mexican breakfast that raises the dead, it is made with pieces of fried corn tortilla, red or green sauce, heavy cream, onion, white cheese, and optionally shredded egg or chicken. It is not a sin to put it as lunch or dinner.
6- TRES LECHES CAKE
The queen of Mexican desserts is actually a widespread specialty in Latin America, but for some reason, internationally it is more associated with the country of the taco. By the way, in Mexico, the term “cake” is used, because the word “cake” refers to a type of sandwich.
7- ESQUITES
Anyone who has visited Mexico has seen the street stalls that sell glasses of corn grains in broth with mayonnaise, cheese, lemon, chili, and salt.
8- STUFFED PEPPERS
The good news (for foreigners) is that not all chili peppers are hot, and that goes for most of the time in stuffed chili dishes. They can be with cheese, meat, chicken, tuna, fish, seafood covered in sauce, gratin, or weathered. Mexican food at its finest.
9- MOLE POBLANO
Also called “chocolate sauce” by certain foreigners, it is known that way because cocoa is part of its many ingredients. It is the most famous of the moles, Mexican sauces with a long list of varieties. It is commonly eaten with turkey, chicken, or enchiladas.
10- TOASTS
Simple but efficient: fried corn tortilla, and on top, the ingredients you want: seafood, ground meat, chicken, guacamole, and the list goes on. One of the most famous dishes of Mexican food that you have probably eaten several times in your life.
11- PICADILLO
In the world of home cooking, tacos, and Mexican tostadas, picadillo is a darling. It is entomatada ground beef cooked with onion, garlic, chopped vegetables, spices, and chili peppers, of course.
12- TORTILLA SOUP
The corn tortilla is so essential to Mexicans that it appears even in the soup. It is a very good broth with tomato, lemon, chili peppers, and other ingredients, plus avocado slices, fried tortilla strips, and heavy cream.
