8 Mexican Dishes That Will Make Your Mouth Water
Mexican cuisine is beloved around the world for its bold flavors, varied textures, and colorful presentations. It is a celebration of flavor and fresh produce and is both affordable and delicious. From the humble taco to the complex mole, there are so many varied flavors and textures to try that it might be hard to pick a favorite.
Below, we’ll highlight eight mouth-watering Mexican dishes that define the essence of Mexican cooking. Whether you want to head out for a meal at your favorite Mexican stop or are looking to make something at home, these dishes will hit the spot!
1. Tacos
Tacos are arguably Mexico’s most famous culinary export. Their versatility and customization options make them a go-to meal for many. Tacos feature protein, salsa, and garnishes wrapped in a soft corn or flour tortilla. The protein possibilities are endless, from carne asada to al pastor, grilled shrimp to carnitas. You can top it with cilantro, onions, radishes, and a squeeze of lime.
2. Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a quintessential Mexican dish that makes for a satisfying meal any time of day. Corn or flour tortillas are filled with meat, cheese, beans, and other combination of fillings. The stuffed tortillas are then smothered in enchilada sauce and melted cheese.
For those who are short on time or love the convenience of slow-cooked meals, consider an enchilada casserole from themagicalslowcooker.com. This innovative take blends traditional enchilada flavors into a simple casserole that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.
Filling options are endless, from shredded chicken to seasoned ground beef. Add Mexican rice and refried beans on the side for a hearty meal.
3. Tamales
Tamales are a labor of love, with masa dough filled with savory meats, cheese, or vegetables wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and steamed. The preparation is time-consuming, but the results are well worth it.
Tamales make for a special meal, perfect for celebrations and holidays. The fillings vary by region, from pork in a red chili sauce to chicken in a green tomatillo salsa. No matter the filling, tamales are the ultimate comfort food, with a moist, soft masa and a delicious center.
4. Mole
Mole sauce is truly one of Mexico’s gifts to the world. With its complex blend of ingredients, mole packs a flavor punch like no other sauce. It combines dried chiles, spices, seeds, nuts, chocolate, and more to create its signature sweet-spicy taste.
Mole poblano is one of the most popular versions, featuring mulato, pasilla, and ancho chiles. It beautifully cloaks proteins like chicken, turkey, or beef. The sauce is also used to top enchiladas in mole enchiladas, which is a heavenly match.
While mole takes time and skill to make, once you taste its deep, earthy flavors, you’ll understand why it’s so revered in Mexican cuisine.
5. Pozole
Pozole is a hearty soup or stew that provides comfort in a bowl. It features hominy corn that has been nixtamalized or prepared with calcium hydroxide. This process gives pozole its soft, puffy texture. The pozole is cooked with pork, chicken, or beef and seasoned with garlic, onion, chiles, and herbs. Garnishes like shredded cabbage, radish, avocado, and lime add a refreshing crunch and acidity to balance the rich broth.
6. Chiles Rellenos
Chiles Rellenos feature roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, meat, or vegetables, then dipped in an egg batter and fried. The light, fluffy coating contrasts beautifully with the hearty filling.
The roasted poblano peppers have a mild heat that plays well with the rich filling. Try a classic version with melted cheese, or get creative with fillings like ground beef, shredded chicken, or refried beans.
7. Carnitas
Carnitas are made with pork that has been braised and then fried. The slow cooking followed by quick frying gives carnitas an unbeatable tender-crispy texture.
You can enjoy carnitas stuffed in tacos, wrapped in tortillas, or served in a bowl with lime wedges, onion, cilantro, and salsa on the side.
8. Flan
What better way to finish a Mexican feast than with a sweet custard flan? This dessert features silky egg custard with a layer of caramel sauce topping it.
Flan gets its signature wobble from the combination of eggs, milk or cream, vanilla, and sugar. When done right, it has a smooth, velvety texture that melts on your tongue. The caramel sauce provides a sweet contrast to the rich, creamy flan. It’s the perfect light, sweet ending to a hearty Mexican meal.
To make it extra decadent, try it served with whipped cream or cajeta, a Mexican caramel sauce.
Conclusion
With its balance of textures and complex layers of flavor, it’s no wonder Mexican food has become so beloved worldwide. The eight dishes highlighted here are just a glimpse into what makes this cuisine so special. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time trying them, these Mexican classics are sure to satisfy your tastebuds every time.
______________________________________________________________________________
This is a contributed post