Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Mexico is known for a lot of things-beaches, warm weather, beautiful Latinas and Latinos, songs and rhythm, and a wide variety of tourist destinations. However, it's really the cuisine that allows this country to really stand out. After all, there's nobody else in the world that can come up a dish that is rich in spices, flavor, and culture. Moreover, it's normally elaborately presented, only improving its appeal to anyone who's going to eat it.

History of Mexican Cuisine

A long time ago, the Aztecs, considered to be one of the oldest settlers in the country, would normally use herbs, chilies, and beans on their dishes. Their main staple was rice. With the arrival of the Spaniards, though, they learned to add more meat into their diet and expand their choices of ingredients in their dishes.

Rice is a well-known part of every meal. In fact, it's already a staple, similar to corn. Nevertheless, you may find that the dishes in Mexico will slightly vary, depending on what region you're currently in. For example, if you want to taste the most delicious chicken-based recipes, you may want to proceed to the southern portion of the country. The northern areas are more into real meat and a little bit of poultry, such as ostrich. Central Mexican dishes are a combination of the different recipes and food styles all over the country. The islands, meanwhile, are more known for their seafood delicacies.

The Best Treats

A trip to Mexico will never be complete without taking a bite on any of their most well-known cuisines. Just to give you an idea what to look for, here are some of the most cherished and requested recipes in Mexico:

Guacamole. This food is actually made up of mashed avocado, salt, and tomatoes. It was one of the dishes from Aztecs and is known to contain high content of vitamins and fat. You can also add your own flavor to it, by using any of the following: sour cream, black pepper, onion, cumin, or garlic, to name a few.

Arroz con pollo. This chicken-based recipe is very popular in Mexico, though they may be served in other Latin countries as well. It is very easy to prepare. All you need to have is the two main ingredients, namely, the chicken and the rice. To bring out its flavor, you can add saffron, vegetables, spices, and herbs.

Picadillo. There are a lot of variants of this dish, though the best ones are usually those that are made from Latin countries such as Mexico. It is mainly consisted of ground beef, mixed with potatoes, tomatoes, red bell pepper, and sometimes vegetables. They are normally used as fillings to tacos, but they can also be served as viand, along with rice or corn.

You will have better chances of tasting Mexican cuisine if you dine in restaurants and cafes that are found in hotels, such as in Grupo Mayan. Their Mexican food is authentic, and you can expect excellent quality.