What About Beef? It Is In Mexico!

So many of us think immediately of beef when we think of Mexican food. We have all had our share of beef tacos, beef enchiladas and beef burritos, have not we? Beef is actually a staple in northern Mexico, but not in the rest of the country. When the Spanish brought cattle with them in the 1500s, they discovered that northern Mexico had excellent grazing lands. This region became home to many Spanish cattle ranches.

Cabrito, or goat, mutton, beef and pork make up a large part of the cuisine in northern Mexico. These types of meat are normally marinated before cooking to tenderize the meat and add flavor. We normally think of beef rather than the other choices when we consider Mexican food. The real trick is to cook it slowly over the course of the day to get the meat tender.

Boiled beef can be shredded and used in a wide variety of recipes from tacos to chimichangas to enchiladas and more. The special seasonings used in Mexico make the beef taste wonderful as it melts in your mouth. Cumin, oregano, and chilies are used daily when seasoning beef. Cilantro can be used to give beef that authentic Mexican flavor.

Northern Mexico is also home to many wheat fields, so flour tortillas are the norm, rather than the common corn tortillas further south. Beef is often wrapped in flour tortillas to make quesadillas and burritos. Mexico is famous for their flavorful beef stews that simmer all day long to create a delicious meal at the end of a long day.

Pot roasts are a common meal in Mexico that may use beef. First, the beef is browned. The rendered fat is used to fry up a salsa of roasted tomatoes, chilies and other vegetables. Water and broth is added once the sauce has been reduced. The meat finishes its cooking in this flavorful broth. More vegetables will be added once the meat is ready to fall off the bone.

Barbacoa, or what we know as barbecue, is very common in northern Mexico. The beef or other meat is roasted slowly in a covered pit or brick oven over indirect heat until the meat is tender and full of flavor. The barbecued meat can then be used in any number of dishes or eaten as is.

As you get to know Mexican food better, you will see that for the best results you should always use fresh ingredients. Canned and frozen foods just do not add much to the recipe. Fresh ingredients are more nutritious and have more complex flavors. Using slow cooking methods, you can also get great results with less expensive cuts of meat. You do not need to spend a lot to create a meal your family will love.

Mexican cuisine makes the most of many types of meat, not just beef. Turkey, rabbit, goat, pork, sheep, and seafood are all delicious in Mexican recipes. Do not be afraid to try something different. Cooked properly, the meat is always tender and delicious. It is worth it to spend the time to learn how to use Mexican cooking methods and seasonings when you are cooking beef. Your family will love the results.

Mexican food, like every cuisine, has some basic ingredients. You are sure to run into tortillas, beans, chilies, salsa, and guacamole. Each region of Mexico has its own regional specialties. You can find recipes for these special dishes and make them at home.