Mexican Food.

fortytwo · 10-06-2011, 23:33

Italian, Chinese, Indian and Thai yes, but I've never tried Mexican.

How about a beginner's guide to Mexican food. What should I start with, something easy perhaps?

There's no Mexican restaurants locally so it's going to have to be home cooked.

I often see packs in supermarkets and I wondered if that could be an introduction to it?

jules1000 · 10-06-2011, 23:42

I love Mexican food especially faijtas or chimichanga

1Greedyrosie · 10-06-2011, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortytwo

Italian, Chinese, Indian and Thai yes, but I've never tried Mexican.

How about a beginner's guide to Mexican food. What should I start with, something easy perhaps?

There's no Mexican restaurants locally so it's going to have to be home cooked.

I often see packs in supermarkets and I wondered if that could be an introduction to it?

Myself, I wouldn't buy the packs in supermarkets.
(the advice I am about to give you really regards tex mex food, rather than mexican, but there you are)

Tacos are a nice easy way to start, as are quesadillas and fajitas.

I had a quick look on the bbcfood website and I found 61 recipes when I typed Mexican in
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/se...0&y=0&cuisines[0]=mexican - including some really nice recipes for the above dishes.
Mexican food is easy to make, and relies on a very easily sourced, and fairly limited range of ingredients - please don't buy the packets!

epicurian · 11-06-2011, 00:01

Maybe try making a tortilla soup? http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-...up-recipe.html Or carne asada tacos. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carne-A...os/Detail.aspx

Use the packets if you like, but I wouldn't say it's a very good representation of the awesome-ness of Mexican food.

ecco66 · 11-06-2011, 01:52

I purchase Mexican food from here:

www.mexgrocer.co.uk

Better than anything you can buy in UK supermarkets

1Greedyrosie · 11-06-2011, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecco66

I purchase Mexican food from here:

www.mexgrocer.co.uk

Better than anything you can buy in UK supermarkets

That site is amazing. Next time I have a big mexican meal planned I'm going there. You can even buy a tortilla press (disproportionately excited)!

Annie1fortennis · 11-06-2011, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by epicurian

Maybe try making a tortilla soup? http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-...up-recipe.html Or carne asada tacos. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carne-A...os/Detail.aspx

Use the packets if you like, but I wouldn't say it's a very good representation of the awesome-ness of Mexican food.

Good advice here. The items that make Mexican food yummy are the fresh items: avocados, limes, home made salsas, coriander, fresh tortillas... The packs just have a jar of spicy sauce and a packet of dried spices.

LaChatteGitane · 11-06-2011, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Greedyrosie

That site is amazing. Next time I have a big mexican meal planned I'm going there. You can even buy a tortilla press (disproportionately excited)!

You are such a funny lady, Greedyrosie !
A tortilla press would be handy, as when I made tortillas in the past, it's a bugger to roll them out with a rolling pin.

degsyhufc · 11-06-2011, 13:07

Tacos or fajitas are probably the easiest way to go.
You also have burritos and enchaladas, chimichangas and quesadillas which also use wraps.

You can have quick fresh fillings or long slow cooked stewed fillings.

I think some of the ingredients you need for a good mexican night it
fresh corriander
lime
cumin
chilli peppers
dried ancho or chipotle chillies
tequila

Tesco sometimes have the chilies in stock
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_25g.html
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_14g.html

If you're doing something quick then chicken will do. If you're doing something slow then a nice pork shoulder slow cooked until it is falling apart will go nice in many dishes.

reginald1981 · 11-06-2011, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Greedyrosie

That site is amazing. Next time I have a big mexican meal planned I'm going there. You can even buy a tortilla press (disproportionately excited)!

I cannot say how excited I am too about finding one of these!

Have wanted one for years since Rick Stein had one on one of his programmes.

Thank you ecco66

fortytwo · 12-06-2011, 22:25

Thank you to all contributors.

I think I'll try tacos - it seems that it might be one of the easier ideas.

Are these used as a meal in themselves, with no side dishes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by degsyhufc

Tacos or fajitas are probably the easiest way to go.
You also have burritos and enchaladas, chimichangas and quesadillas which also use wraps.

You can have quick fresh fillings or long slow cooked stewed fillings.

I think some of the ingredients you need for a good mexican night it
fresh corriander
lime
cumin
chilli peppers
dried ancho or chipotle chillies
tequila

Tesco sometimes have the chilies in stock
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_25g.html
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_14g.html

If you're doing something quick then chicken will do. If you're doing something slow then a nice pork shoulder slow cooked until it is falling apart will go nice in many dishes.

I see you have both chili peppers and chipotle chilies, how do they differ from the chilies I would use in Asian food, and what about strength or hotness of them?

I apologise for asking such basic questions, although I cook chili con carne pretty often I've never tried genuine Mexican food.

ecco66 · 13-06-2011, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by reginald1981

I cannot say how excited I am too about finding one of these!

Have wanted one for years since Rick Stein had one on one of his programmes.

Thank you ecco66

My pleasure, reginald1981

grassmarket · 13-06-2011, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortytwo

I see you have both chili peppers and chipotle chilies, how do they differ from the chilies I would use in Asian food, and what about strength or hotness of them?
.

Chipotles are roast chillies in a special barbecue sauce - they are at the mild end usually.

degsyhufc · 13-06-2011, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortytwo

Thank you to all contributors.

I think I'll try tacos - it seems that it might be one of the easier ideas.

Are these used as a meal in themselves, with no side dishes?

Tacos/fajitas usually have a meat filling with onions and peppers and then a salsa/salad and sauces/dips such as guacamole or sour cream.
You can have other sides. Corn on the cob. Potato wedges etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortytwo

I see you have both chili peppers and chipotle chilies, how do they differ from the chilies I would use in Asian food, and what about strength or hotness of them?

I apologise for asking such basic questions, although I cook chili con carne pretty often I've never tried genuine Mexican food.

I think the standard chillies to use in Mexican food are jalepenos but there are plenty of chillies about. Just go with what you like.

Most supermarkets sell standard chillies and also hotter ones (birdseye, scotch bonnet/habanero, piri piri)

degsyhufc · 13-06-2011, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by grassmarket

Chipotles are roast chillies in a special barbecue sauce - they are at the mild end usually.

Not quite. It would be nice if it was easier to find chipotle chillies in abobe (vinegar tomato sauce) but you'd probably have to find a specialist shop.

The ones that Tesco sell are the dried form.

Ancho is a dried poblano chilli. The poblano is inbetween a bell pepper and jalapeno. It's fruity and not that hot. It is dried and smoked to give it a fruity smokey flavour.

Chipotle is a dried and smoked jalepeno. It is medium heat and gives a smokey flavour when rehydrated.

The dried chillies are best used in sauces/stews.

Gaditano · 13-06-2011, 14:20

Chilis of every kind (and spicy things of all types) can be obtained from this brilliant place:

http://www.chillipepperpete.com/

degsyhufc · 13-06-2011, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaditano

Chilis of every kind (and spicy things of all types) can be obtained from this brilliant place:

http://www.chillipepperpete.com/

Goan to the Loo curry sauce. I like it

BrunoStreete · 13-06-2011, 19:07

Bear in mind that most 'Mexican' restaurants in this country are peddling Tex-Mex and not Mexican. Wahaca in London claims to serve real Mexican and it's very nice but not sure if it's authentic.

degsyhufc · 13-06-2011, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrunoStreete

Bear in mind that most 'Mexican' restaurants in this country are peddling Tex-Mex and not Mexican. Wahaca in London claims to serve real Mexican and it's very nice but not sure if it's authentic.

I've seen Thomasina Miers on tv and she seems genuine enough with her love of authentic Mexican food.

fortytwo · 13-06-2011, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by degsyhufc

Tacos/fajitas usually have a meat filling with onions and peppers and then a salsa/salad and sauces/dips such as guacamole or sour cream.
You can have other sides. Corn on the cob. Potato wedges etc.

I think the standard chillies to use in Mexican food are jalepenos but there are plenty of chillies about. Just go with what you like.

Most supermarkets sell standard chillies and also hotter ones (birdseye, scotch bonnet/habanero, piri piri)

I'm not all that keen on smoked foods so I will probably go for one of the mild chilies, that will allow both myself and my wife to hopefully enjoy them - when we have curry we eat two separate meals of differing strengths.

If I feel we are missing something by not using smoked peppers then I will have to think again.

Using wedges as a side looks good to me, after I had posted I thought perhaps a salad would work too.

Thank you for your ideas.

10-06-2011, 23:33	#1
fortytwo Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,235	Mexican Food. Italian, Chinese, Indian and Thai yes, but I've never tried Mexican. How about a beginner's guide to Mexican food. What should I start with, something easy perhaps? There's no Mexican restaurants locally so it's going to have to be home cooked. I often see packs in supermarkets and I wondered if that could be an introduction to it?

10-06-2011, 23:42	#2
jules1000 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 10,156	I love Mexican food especially faijtas or chimichanga

10-06-2011, 23:47	#3
1Greedyrosie Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bristol Posts: 208	Quote: Originally Posted by fortytwo Italian, Chinese, Indian and Thai yes, but I've never tried Mexican. How about a beginner's guide to Mexican food. What should I start with, something easy perhaps? There's no Mexican restaurants locally so it's going to have to be home cooked. I often see packs in supermarkets and I wondered if that could be an introduction to it? Myself, I wouldn't buy the packs in supermarkets. (the advice I am about to give you really regards tex mex food, rather than mexican, but there you are) Tacos are a nice easy way to start, as are quesadillas and fajitas. I had a quick look on the bbcfood website and I found 61 recipes when I typed Mexican in http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/se...0&y=0&cuisines[0]=mexican - including some really nice recipes for the above dishes. Mexican food is easy to make, and relies on a very easily sourced, and fairly limited range of ingredients - please don't buy the packets!

11-06-2011, 00:01	#4
epicurian Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 15,890	Maybe try making a tortilla soup? http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-...up-recipe.html Or carne asada tacos. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carne-A...os/Detail.aspx Use the packets if you like, but I wouldn't say it's a very good representation of the awesome-ness of Mexican food.

11-06-2011, 01:52	#5
ecco66 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: south east coast Posts: 15,717	I purchase Mexican food from here: www.mexgrocer.co.uk Better than anything you can buy in UK supermarkets

11-06-2011, 08:27	#6
1Greedyrosie Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bristol Posts: 208	Quote: Originally Posted by ecco66 I purchase Mexican food from here: www.mexgrocer.co.uk Better than anything you can buy in UK supermarkets That site is amazing. Next time I have a big mexican meal planned I'm going there. You can even buy a tortilla press (disproportionately excited)!

11-06-2011, 08:33	#7
Annie1fortennis Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 889	Quote: Originally Posted by epicurian Maybe try making a tortilla soup? http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-...up-recipe.html Or carne asada tacos. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carne-A...os/Detail.aspx Use the packets if you like, but I wouldn't say it's a very good representation of the awesome-ness of Mexican food. Good advice here. The items that make Mexican food yummy are the fresh items: avocados, limes, home made salsas, coriander, fresh tortillas... The packs just have a jar of spicy sauce and a packet of dried spices.

11-06-2011, 09:11	#8
LaChatteGitane Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: stirring the cauldron Posts: 3,957	Quote: Originally Posted by 1Greedyrosie That site is amazing. Next time I have a big mexican meal planned I'm going there. You can even buy a tortilla press (disproportionately excited)! You are such a funny lady, Greedyrosie ! A tortilla press would be handy, as when I made tortillas in the past, it's a bugger to roll them out with a rolling pin.

11-06-2011, 13:07	#9
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Tacos or fajitas are probably the easiest way to go. You also have burritos and enchaladas, chimichangas and quesadillas which also use wraps. You can have quick fresh fillings or long slow cooked stewed fillings. I think some of the ingredients you need for a good mexican night it fresh corriander lime cumin chilli peppers dried ancho or chipotle chillies tequila Tesco sometimes have the chilies in stock http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_25g.html http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_14g.html If you're doing something quick then chicken will do. If you're doing something slow then a nice pork shoulder slow cooked until it is falling apart will go nice in many dishes.

11-06-2011, 14:08	#10
reginald1981 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Posts: 4,492	Quote: Originally Posted by 1Greedyrosie That site is amazing. Next time I have a big mexican meal planned I'm going there. You can even buy a tortilla press (disproportionately excited)! I cannot say how excited I am too about finding one of these! Have wanted one for years since Rick Stein had one on one of his programmes. Thank you ecco66

12-06-2011, 22:25	#11
fortytwo Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,235	Thank you to all contributors. I think I'll try tacos - it seems that it might be one of the easier ideas. Are these used as a meal in themselves, with no side dishes? Quote: Originally Posted by degsyhufc Tacos or fajitas are probably the easiest way to go. You also have burritos and enchaladas, chimichangas and quesadillas which also use wraps. You can have quick fresh fillings or long slow cooked stewed fillings. I think some of the ingredients you need for a good mexican night it fresh corriander lime cumin chilli peppers dried ancho or chipotle chillies tequila Tesco sometimes have the chilies in stock http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_25g.html http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco...llies_14g.html If you're doing something quick then chicken will do. If you're doing something slow then a nice pork shoulder slow cooked until it is falling apart will go nice in many dishes. I see you have both chili peppers and chipotle chilies, how do they differ from the chilies I would use in Asian food, and what about strength or hotness of them? I apologise for asking such basic questions, although I cook chili con carne pretty often I've never tried genuine Mexican food.

13-06-2011, 08:11	#12
ecco66 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: south east coast Posts: 15,717	Quote: Originally Posted by reginald1981 I cannot say how excited I am too about finding one of these! Have wanted one for years since Rick Stein had one on one of his programmes. Thank you ecco66 My pleasure, reginald1981

13-06-2011, 09:17	#13
grassmarket Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 23,321	Quote: Originally Posted by fortytwo I see you have both chili peppers and chipotle chilies, how do they differ from the chilies I would use in Asian food, and what about strength or hotness of them? . Chipotles are roast chillies in a special barbecue sauce - they are at the mild end usually.

13-06-2011, 13:50	#14
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Quote: Originally Posted by fortytwo Thank you to all contributors. I think I'll try tacos - it seems that it might be one of the easier ideas. Are these used as a meal in themselves, with no side dishes? Tacos/fajitas usually have a meat filling with onions and peppers and then a salsa/salad and sauces/dips such as guacamole or sour cream. You can have other sides. Corn on the cob. Potato wedges etc. Quote: Originally Posted by fortytwo I see you have both chili peppers and chipotle chilies, how do they differ from the chilies I would use in Asian food, and what about strength or hotness of them? I apologise for asking such basic questions, although I cook chili con carne pretty often I've never tried genuine Mexican food. I think the standard chillies to use in Mexican food are jalepenos but there are plenty of chillies about. Just go with what you like. Most supermarkets sell standard chillies and also hotter ones (birdseye, scotch bonnet/habanero, piri piri)

13-06-2011, 13:50	#15
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Quote: Originally Posted by grassmarket Chipotles are roast chillies in a special barbecue sauce - they are at the mild end usually. Not quite. It would be nice if it was easier to find chipotle chillies in abobe (vinegar tomato sauce) but you'd probably have to find a specialist shop. The ones that Tesco sell are the dried form. Ancho is a dried poblano chilli. The poblano is inbetween a bell pepper and jalapeno. It's fruity and not that hot. It is dried and smoked to give it a fruity smokey flavour. Chipotle is a dried and smoked jalepeno. It is medium heat and gives a smokey flavour when rehydrated. The dried chillies are best used in sauces/stews.

13-06-2011, 14:20	#16
Gaditano Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sussex by the sea Posts: 2,068	Chilis of every kind (and spicy things of all types) can be obtained from this brilliant place: http://www.chillipepperpete.com/

13-06-2011, 14:42	#17
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Quote: Originally Posted by Gaditano Chilis of every kind (and spicy things of all types) can be obtained from this brilliant place: http://www.chillipepperpete.com/ Goan to the Loo curry sauce. I like it

13-06-2011, 19:07	#18
BrunoStreete Inactive Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 7,071	Bear in mind that most 'Mexican' restaurants in this country are peddling Tex-Mex and not Mexican. Wahaca in London claims to serve real Mexican and it's very nice but not sure if it's authentic.

13-06-2011, 19:31	#19
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Quote: Originally Posted by BrunoStreete Bear in mind that most 'Mexican' restaurants in this country are peddling Tex-Mex and not Mexican. Wahaca in London claims to serve real Mexican and it's very nice but not sure if it's authentic. I've seen Thomasina Miers on tv and she seems genuine enough with her love of authentic Mexican food.

13-06-2011, 21:09	#20
fortytwo Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,235	Quote: Originally Posted by degsyhufc Tacos/fajitas usually have a meat filling with onions and peppers and then a salsa/salad and sauces/dips such as guacamole or sour cream. You can have other sides. Corn on the cob. Potato wedges etc. I think the standard chillies to use in Mexican food are jalepenos but there are plenty of chillies about. Just go with what you like. Most supermarkets sell standard chillies and also hotter ones (birdseye, scotch bonnet/habanero, piri piri) I'm not all that keen on smoked foods so I will probably go for one of the mild chilies, that will allow both myself and my wife to hopefully enjoy them - when we have curry we eat two separate meals of differing strengths. If I feel we are missing something by not using smoked peppers then I will have to think again. Using wedges as a side looks good to me, after I had posted I thought perhaps a salad would work too. Thank you for your ideas.

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Mexican Food.