Mexican food is a term used to refer to a number of South American countries including Mexico, Peru, Honduras, and Guatemala. Mexican food refers to the varied cooking styles and recipes of this diverse country of Mexico. Its origins lie in Mesoamerican food. In fact, food is an integral part of Mesoamerican society, and ancient Mayans and Aztecs were renowned for their skill in the preparation of food. Today, many scientists believe that it was the influence of these ancient cultures and their way of preparing food that contributed to the development of modern day Mexican cuisine.
The variety of food available in Mexico today is vast, ranging from fresh and spicy salsa to bland rice meals. One thing that does remain common in most Mexican dishes is the use of chili peppers as a flavoring agent in everything from breakfast tacos to pizza and burritos. There is a great variation between the style of preparation and ingredients used for different dishes. Most Mexican foodstuffs are served with homemade tortillas that are filled with data (ground beef or pork that is used to make the dough for tacos and burritos, and also for other food items); however, some are made with white corn tortillas that are rolled to form disks and then fried in a pan until crisp.
One of the best-known varieties of Mexican food is taco fare; this popular dish is a marinated mixture of meats and vegetables that are served along with a variety of sauces, served on a taco shell, and accompanied by either fresh chopped tomatoes or homemade tortilla chips. Another well-known type of Mexican food, in which the tortilla is used as a vessel to hold a variety of ingredients, is taquitos. Tocos are round and are filled with either refried beans or fresh shrimp, and are served on a corn tortilla. Lastly, there are salads and other side dishes available that can help complete a meal, such as hueco espressos that are created from fruit juices and served with freshly cut vegetables. In the end, Mexican food is not only a source of many delicious recipes, but it is a feast that can be taken on just about anywhere!
