Viva Mexican Cuisine!

Considered a rich and varied cuisine, Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Aztec and Spanish cultures, famous for the richness of its flavours. Find out more on this exquisite cuisine!

A few noteworthy Mexican traditions

A meal in Mexico is considered an endless celebration. Five meals are served throughout the day:

Desayuno: Light breakfast where coffee and bread rolls are served very early in the morning. Mexicans are chocolate lovers and drink their chocolate hot during el desayuno.
Almuerzo: A more substantial breakfast served late in the morning.
Comida: The most important meal of the day, served around 1 PM and followed by the traditional siesta!
Merienda: A light snack consisting of sweet rolls, appetizers and chocolate that is served around 6 PM. It can often replace supper.
Cena: Often consisting of soup and fruit, la cena is served around 9 PM. The meal can be somewhat more substantial on holidays or evenings out at the restaurant.

Happiness is … soup!

Meals often start with homemade soup (gazpacho, chicken soup, fish soup). Distinct and varied, soups are served with a wedge of orange, lemon or lime, a pinch of fresh coriander and hot pepper flakes.

Daily rice

Rice is part of the Mexican daily diet. It is most often cooked in the cooking liquid of the meats.

The southern climate: Fresh fruit!

Because of their wide availability, fresh fruits figure prominently in cuisines from most southern countries. Oranges, pineapples, strawberries, watermelons, mangos, peaches, nectarines, bananas, are eaten as is or cooked in desserts featuring, of course, chocolate!

Tex-Mex Cuisine

Tex-Mex cuisine is a combination of Mexican and American cuisines. It was created by Mexican immigrants to Texas who adapted their cuisine to American products and dietary habits. Though internationally acclaimed as Mexican, some of these specialties are actually Texan: Cheddar cheese and chili con carne for instance! Very few vegetables, fruits or fish are used as ingredients in Tex-Mex cuisine.

The staples

Mexican cuisine features several basic ingredients:

Tortillas: Eaten throughout Mexico, tortillas taste terrific but also serve as wrapping for foods. In the northern part of the country, wheat flour is used to make tortillas while corn flower is used in Southern Mexico.
Beans: Beans can be found simmering in pots in homes and bars throughout the country. Served with tortillas, red, black or pinto beans (pink spotted with violet) can serve as a snack at any time of the day.
Peppers: Over a hundred varieties of peppers are found in Mexico, each with its unique flavour, colour and texture. They’re eaten raw, cooked, dried, sliced, puréed, powdered, stuffed, fried or in salsa at every meal.
Condiments: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cocoa powder, cumin, marjoram, oregano, mint, coriander (included in almost all recipes!). Grilled onions and garlic are mashed and used as basic ingredients in many sauces. Lemon and lime accompany soups, meats and fish.

Peppered does not always mean hot!

Mexican cuisine is not always as hot as we may think. It consists of mostly mild ingredients with a meat, poultry, fish or vegetable base. It’s when it gets to the table and the salsas, sauces, peppers and spices are added that the dish really heats up.

Some traditional Mexican dishes:

Guacamole: Avocado purée seasoned with lemon, onions, tomato and coriander. This recipe has really travelled well!
Fajitas: Tortillas stuffed with 8-10cm. long strips of meat, poultry accompanied by vegetables marinated in lemon and spices. In many restaurants, you combine the ingredients and roll the fajitas yourself!
Tacos: Tortillas filled with meat or fish and garnished with beans, cheese and guacamole. Tacos are served folded in two and eaten like a sandwich.
Burritos: Grilled tortillas folded and stuffed like fajitas.
Enchiladas: Made like fajitas but rolled and covered with sauce before being placed in the oven to cook for several minutes.
Tostadas: Served as an entrée. They are tortillas fried in oil and topped with meat or fish.
Mole poplano: The national dish of Mexico! It is a chicken or turkey stew flavoured with spices and chocolate.
Ceviche: One of the many ways to prepare fish. Often served as an entrée, the fish is marinated in green lemon juice and eaten almost raw.
Salsa: Provides flavour and originality to the simplest of dishes.