So many of us think immediately of beef when we think of Mexican food. We have all had our share of beef tacos, beef enchiladas and beef burritos, have not we? Beef is actually a staple in northern Mexico, but not in the rest of the country. When the Spanish brought cattle with them in the 1500s, they discovered that northern Mexico had excellent grazing lands. This region became home to many Spanish cattle ranches.
Cabrito, or goat, mutton, beef and pork make up a large part of the cuisine in northern Mexico. These types of meat are normally marinated before cooking to tenderize the meat and add flavor. We normally think of beef rather than the other choices when we consider Mexican food. The real trick is to cook it slowly over the course of the day to get the meat tender.
Boiled beef can be shredded and used in a wide variety of recipes from tacos to chimichangas to enchiladas and more. The special seasonings used in Mexico make the beef taste wonderful as it melts in your mouth. Cumin, oregano, and chilies are used daily when seasoning beef. Cilantro can be used to give beef that authentic Mexican flavor.
Northern Mexico is also home to many wheat fields, so flour tortillas are the norm, rather than the common corn tortillas further south. Beef is often wrapped in flour tortillas to make quesadillas and burritos. Mexico is famous for their flavorful beef stews that simmer all day long to create a delicious meal at the end of a long day.
Pot roasts are a favorite way to prepare beef in Mexico. The roast needs to be browned first. Use the rendered fat to fry up a flavorful salsa created from chilies, tomatoes, and tomatillos. Reduce the sauce and then add broth and water. Add the browned beef back in the pot and let it simmer slowly until the meat falls off the bone. Add a few more vegetables and let them cook.
Barbecue, or barbacoa as it is called in Mexico, is a common cooking method in northern Mexico. The beef is roasted slowly in a brick oven or old fashioned covered pit over indirect heat until the meat is full of flavor. The finished meat can then be added to many other dishes as needed.
As you familiarize yourself with more Mexican recipes you will see the need to use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Do not use canned or frozen foods if you can avoid them. The flavors and nutrients found in fresh foods make Mexican food taste its absolute best. With the cooking methods employed in Mexican cooking, you can get fantastic results with cheaper cuts of beef, too. You do not need to shell out a lot of money on a choice cut to make a delicious meal.
Of course, Mexican cuisine uses much more than just beef. Pork, goat, sheep, rabbit, turkey, chicken, and seafood are all deliciously prepared using Mexican recipes. Dig in and try something different. The meat is always prepared so it is tender and delicious, no matter what type is chosen. Spend some time learning how to make beef using Mexican seasonings and cooking methods and your family will not want to miss a single meal.
There is quite a history on Mexican food including how Mayan and Aztec type cuisine incorporated French, Caribbean, Spanish and African influences to become what it is today. Mexican food culture is fascinating and modern Mexican food blends the traditional with the innovative and creative into the Mexican dishes we all know and adore today.
