RecipesMexican Meal Plan: Spices And Seasonings Typically Used In Mexican Cooking
Authentic Mexican cooking certainly has its own distinct flavor and below is a list of spices and seasonings typically used to give it that flavor, along with tips and suggestions for use.
Cumin: When you purchase taco seasoning or flavoring in the grocery store, cumin is the spice that gives it that distinctive flavor. However, cumin can also be used in other Mexican dishes such as stews, on grilled meat, lamb and chicken. Some of the most popular dishes cumin is used in are chile con queso, pork casseroles and enchiladas with sauce.
Cilantro: Cilantro is actually a member of the carrot family and is related to parsley. You may also have heard it called Coriander.Ò Cilantro is most commonly used in salsa, Pico De Gallo, burritos, salads and Mexican sauces.
Epazote (say ep-ah-ZOE-tay): Also know as Mexican tea, epazote is strong herb and is known for its medicinal qualities, such as relieving gasiness often associated with eating beans. However, used in large quantities, it is poisonous. Epazote is typically found in bean, corn and fish recipes. Like Cilantro, epazote has its own distinct flavor and is often an acquired taste. If you find you donò€™t like epazote, try substituting Mexican Oregano.
Chile Powder: Chile powder is actually a combination of dried powdered chilies, cumin and oregano. You may find other ingredients in some mixes, but those are the basics. Chile powder is most often used in, you guessed it, chili, but it is also great for stews, meats and poultry.
Chipotle: Chipotle is actually dried, smoked jalapenos. Chipotle is a popular seasoning to use for sauces, salsa and marinades such as Adobo.
Garlic: Garlic is probably the most common seasoning used in Mexican cooking. As a matter of fact you can add garlic to just about any Mexican recipe for added flavor. Fresh garlic and garlic powder are the most common forms of garlic used in recipes.
Onion: Fresh or powdered, you canò€™t go wrong with adding onion to just about Mexican dish. As a matter of fact, onion and garlic are often used in conjunction with one another and adds a really nice touch of flavor.
Mexican Oregano: This herb is bit stronger than its popular relative, Mediterranean Oregano (Oregan) or Greek Oregano. Mexican Oregano is best in enchilada sauces, tortilla soup, chicken dishes, and egg and cheese dishes such as omelets. Mexican Oregano pairs well with other seasonings and spices, such as Chipotle, Chile Powder and garlic.
Other flavors you will find in authentic Mexican cooking are cinnamon, cloves and anise. Cocoa and peanut butter are mixed with other seasonings to make Mole. Mole is a thick sauce usually spread on chicken for a distinct flavor. Cocoa is also widely used in other Mexican dishes as well.
Recada rojo is a mixture of spices and gets its red color from annatto seeds. Cinnamon, cloves, cumin, oregano, garlic and other spices are blended together to make this distinctive Mexican seasoning.
You can also combine any of the above mentioned spices together to create your own Mexican seasoning. Try it on grilled meats, in salsa, and even in quesadillas and fajitas and wow your guests with your own Mexican blend.