Mexican Cuisine

ingredients

Annatto

Annatto (achiote) is a red seed with a mild earthy flavour. It is used in cooking for both colour and flavour and can also be used to dye fabric. It is sold as a pressed block.

Avocado

Avocado is used in salsas and to make guacamole.

Beans

Beans are also known as frijoles. Pinto and Black turtle beans are the main types. Black turtle beans are used to make refried beans.

Chilli

Chillies are the main flavouring ingredient in Mexican food. Both fresh and dried forms are used. Most dried chillies need the stem and seeds removed and placed into warm oil until changed colour, then simmer in hot water for 10 minutes.

Ancho chillies

Ancho are mild and sweet dried chillies. When fresh they are known as Poblano. They look similar to a large, pointed green capsicum.

Guajillo chillies

Guajillo (pronounced gwah-HEE-yoh) has a very tough leathery skin so may require long soaking.

Habanero chillies

Habanero are a super super hot variety of chilli.

Jalapeno chillies

Jalapeno (pronounced hah-luh-PANE-yo) are the most common chilli used and are known as Chipotle (chee_POHT-leh) when smoked and dried.

Pasilla chillies

Pasilla (pronounced pah_SEE-ya) is a mild to medium hot chilli.

Chocolate

Mexican chocolate is a a dark and bitter and flavoured with cinnamon, almond and cloves. Used to make hot chocolate drinks.

Coriander

Coriander (cilantro) is the most commonly used fresh herb in Mexican cooking.

Huitlacoche

A fungus (almost like a truffle) that grows on corn. It has a unique flavour and is used in coups and salsas.

Jamaica

Jamaica is a wild rosella flower used to make a cold tea.

Jicama or Yam Bean

Jicama or Yam Bean is a crunchy root vegetable. It can be eaten raw or cooked. In Australia, it is found in almost every Asian store selling fresh vegetables.

Lime

Lime is widely used in salsas, marinades and margaritas.

Nopales

Nopales is sold in jars and is a type of cactus. When cut into strips, it is known as Nopalitos.

Hominy

Hominy is dried white corn which is used to make a much loved dish called Pozole. Some small restaurants in Mexico serve only this dish.

Tomatillos

Tomatillos are sold as a canned product, they look like a small green tomato but are actually a member of the gooseberry family. They have a very tart flavour and are used in many dishes included salsas and stews.

Tortillas

Tortillas are soft, pancake like flatbreads, made with corn or wheat are eaten with most meals. Many expatriate Mexicans make them using corn masa and a tortilla press. They are then steamed.