What is real Mexican food?

Stretching from the arid borders of the United States to the lush jungles of the Yucatan, Mexico is a big country with a vast array of traditional foods. While the world may know it for cheesy nachos and hearty chile con carne, you may be surprised to learn that neither of these are Mexican, but rather, come from north of the border. Real Mexican food is fresh, tangy and smacks of flavour. And what would Mexican cooking be without its use of an amazing number of chillies, both fresh and dried.

Mexico has given us some of the world’s favourite ingredients: tomatoes, chillies, avocado, corn, chocolate and vanilla. Today, these ingredients continue to form the basis of the cuisine. At the centre of every Mexican meal are tortillas, the humble corn bread that is eaten throughout the country.

While some Mexican food is certainly spicy, most is characterised by a combination of savoury and earthy flavours, and for its use of fresh herbs. This balance of flavours, together with the freshest possible ingredients, is at the heart of real Mexican food.

Iconic dishes

Mexican cooking is known for a whole host of fantastic dishes. Here’s some of the best:

Tortillas

These soft, pancake like flatbreads are made with corn or wheat and are eaten with most meals. Cooked in a hot pan, or on a griddle, they’re often slightly charred on the outside, and always piping hot.

Tacos

Mexican tacos are soft, not crispy, and made from a hot tortilla piled with fillings and are usually eaten standing up as the ultimate form of street food.

Burritos

These northern Mexican treats are made by piling fillings into a tortilla and folding it up to make a pocket. They are then fried in a hot pan to make them toasty on the outside.

Salsas

What would Mexican food be without its spicy sauces! Easy to make, they add a dash of fire and a whole hit of flavour to anything they’re served alongside. Ditch the bottled stuff and try making your own from chillies, tomatoes, fresh cut herbs and a dash of lime.

Moles

The most famous of these is made using chocolate, although the word ‘mole’ refers to any slow cooked sauce. These thick sauces are then poured over shredded meat, grilled fish or vegetables and are mopped up with plenty of rice and tortillas.

Guacamoles

Translated from the Aztec language to mean ‘avocado’ (guac) ‘sauce’ (mole) this is one of the country’s oldest accompaniments. Traditionally paired with chilli, lime and coriander, you can also add tomato and onion for even more flavour.

Guacamole

Tamales

Mexican tamales are made from a cornmeal dough that’s been stuffed with meat, vegetables, herbs and other goodies, then wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed.

Quesadillas

The Mexican version of a toasted sandwich. Fresh corn tortillas are stuffed with cheese and a whole host of other fillings and fried in a hot pan. Experiment with flavour combinations or stick to the classic flavours of tomato, avocado, coriander and red onion.

Enchiladas

The ultimate comfort food! Chicken and vegetables are bathed in hot sauces, wrapped in tortillas, sprinkled with cheese and baked in the oven until piping hot.