Mexican cuisine is very popular across the country because of its unique flavorful taste. If you visit El Rincón, a Mexican food restaurant in Addison, you will experience a taste of Mexico in the authentic Mexican dishes that they serve. No wonder Mexican food can be seen anywhere and served in many American homes. Let’s learn more about why Mexican cuisine is so loved.
Is Mexican Food Healthy?
There are many people who appreciate Mexican cuisine because of the freshness of the ingredients that are used. Moreover, a Mexican meal is often a complete meal with protein and ingredients with the essential nutrients.
Although Mexican dishes are already served in restaurants with a western flair, there are restaurants that offer a healthier option of authentic Mexican dishes. Here’s how you can order healthy Mexican food at a restaurant:
- Choose the healthier dishes with ingredients that are grilled instead of fried. Examples are chicken fajitas and bean burritos.
- Choose soft tortillas that are not deep-fried. They are usually baked, so they do not contain as much fat and calories as the deep-fried ones.
- Choose salsa over cream. Salsa is prepared with freshly cut tomatoes, onions, and spices.
- Choose guacamole as a dip for your chips. Avocados are packed with rich nutrients that can boost your health.
- Choose corn tortillas over flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are rich in fiber while flour tortillas are rich in calories.
- Be careful when you order beans and rice combos. Too much rice can ruin your diet because it contains lots of calories. You can choose to divide the meal or the rice between you and your dining companion.
What is Special About Mexican Food?
Other cuisines are created by blending different spices and ingredients of recipes from many places. Mexican dishes also originated from a fusion of different cultures. Most authentic Mexican dishes come from the pre-Hispanic era.
The factors that make Mexican food unique include:
Spices
Mexican cuisine is not complete without the unique blend of spices that are used. Some spices are so unique to Mexico that it is difficult to find them elsewhere. There are over 100 different types of chili that you can choose from when preparing authentic Mexican dishes.
The most unique spices that are added to Mexican food include cocoa powder, cloves, and cinnamon. If you have heard of Epazote, it is one of the traditional Mexican herbs that give some traditional Mexican dishes their exceptional flavor.
Corn
This staple ingredient in traditional Mexican cooking also provides versatility. You will notice that some of the most popular Mexican dishes, like tortillas, tacos, and enchiladas, are made with corn-based ingredients. Mexican cuisine has made this very simple ingredient into some of the most delicious meals.
Healthy Ingredients
Most ingredients used in authentic Mexican cooking are fresh vegetables like beans, tomatoes, chiles, and avocados. You can also get your needed amount of protein in a Mexican dish because there are many dishes prepared with meat like tacos and Mexican stews. Every meal will give you the amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals that you need.
One unique ingredient used in many Mexican salads is nopalitos, a cactus. It makes any dish healthy because it contains very low calories.
Why is Mexican Food So Popular?
The rich flavors of herbs and spices infused in vegetables and meats make Mexican food so loved around the world. The fresh ingredients give Mexican meals an amazing taste. One ingredient that attracts many people to Mexican food is chili, which can be used to prepare food with different levels of spiciness.
Facts About Mexican Food
Let’s dive into some of the most interesting facts about why Mexican food is so popular and loved around the world:
- Vegetables and fruits are often added to Mexican dishes.
- The very popular salad, Caesar salad, was created in Mexico.
- Tomato-based dishes began in Mexico when the Aztecs were discovered to have used this ingredient in their cooking.
- A man nicknamed “Nacho” invented the world-famous Mexican dish called nachos.
- Avocados were named itahuacatle, meaning testicles, by the Aztecs who discovered them.
- There are some Mexican dishes that need to be prepared using special gadgets.
- Tamales date way back 8,000 years.
Experience Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Enjoy the uniqueness of flavors that Mexican cuisine has to offer in an authentic Mexican restaurant. Visit El Rincon, and eat some of the most delicious Mexican food in Addison.