It is the herbs and spices used in Mexican cooking that truly make the meal. If these ingredients were not added, a Mexican dish would not differ greatly from many others. The herbs and spices used in Mexico help make the cuisine special. It is good to learn all you can about them.
Chile powder is used in almost every Mexican dish. This common spice is usually a mixture of many different chilies. Chipotle is one kind of seasoning you may find. It is made from dried smoked jalapeno peppers. Ancho peppers, on the other hand, give food a more sweet, fruity flavor. Many commercial chile powders that you find at the market are actually a combination of oregano, coriander, cumin, garlic, salt, and chilies.
Epazote is used in bean dishes. This tall green herb is also known as Mexican tea. It adds flavor and helps relieve digestive issues that beans can cause. Epazote is potent, so only add a leaf or two to your dishes. Large quantities of epazote can be toxic.
Annatto seeds are used to color food and give it a distinct flavor. This spice is most often used in rice recipes or sauces. The seeds are soaked in water for at least an hour before using. They are usually crushed after soaking. Some recipes use the leftover water that the seeds were soaked in and other recipes use the seeds themselves. They are a common ingredient in marinades.
Cilantro is a popular herb that resembles flat leaf parsley. They are actually the leaves produced by the coriander plant. This herb is always used fresh. The flavor is tangy with a pungent quality that really makes a dish sing. It adds a nice bright note to rice, moles, salsas, beans, soups and stews.
The seeds of the cumin plant are often used in Mexican cooking. Cumin seeds can be used ground into powder or whole. It is often used with chile powder to create a nice balance in the flavors. Soups, stews and many other dishes are better after you add cumin. Azafran, also known as safflower or Mexican saffron, adds flavor and color to a dish, making it a beautiful yellow. This spice is used sparingly because it can be bitter. It is frequently added to rice or seafood.
If you pay attention to traditional Mexican food you will notice that these spices are used a lot along with oregano and thyme. For a truly Mexican flavor, look for Mexican oregano instead of the more common Italian oregano. It has an earthier flavor. This herb can be found in some specialty herb catalogs. It is unlikely that you will find it at the grocery store or in a local nursery unless you live in an area with a large Mexican population.
Understanding how to develop the flavors of Mexico will involve learning about the spices and herbs they use in cooking. That authentic Mexican flavor you want cannot be developed without them. Use these spices the right way and you will find your recipes turn out better than ever. Learning how to use these spices will change your cooking for the better.
Authentic Mexican rice recipes include the famous soft and fluffy Mexican rice. Rice is a filling side dish and is served with various Mexican dishes. As long as you leave the lid on the pan while it cooks, resisting the urge to peek, your Mexican rice dish should come out perfectly!
