Homemade Sauces

Mexican herbs and spices truly make the meal. Without these ingredients, a Mexican recipe would be no different than many others. These herbs and spices give their all to make Mexican food the culinary delight that it is. It pays to learn a bit about them.

Chile powder is the most well known spice used in Mexican cuisine. It is a mixture of many different types of chilies. Chipotle is made from smoked dried jalapeno peppers. Ancho, in comparison, has a fruity, sweet flavor. Many chili powders that you purchase at the grocery store are a combination of chilies, oregano, salt, coriander, garlic, and cumin.

Epazote is a green herb that grows fairly tall. Also known as, Mexican tea, this herb is used in bean dishes to add flavor and relieve digestive problems that beans may cause. Epazote is potent and should only be used in small quantities. Large quantities can be toxic. Just add a couple of leaves to your bean dish as it cooks.

Annatto seeds are used to color food and give it a distinct flavor. This spice is most often used in rice recipes or sauces. The seeds are soaked in water for at least an hour before using. They are usually crushed after soaking. Some recipes use the leftover water that the seeds were soaked in and other recipes use the seeds themselves. They are a common ingredient in marinades.

You see cilantro at a lot of Mexican restaurants used as garnish or added to tacos and salads. It looks a lot like flat leaf parsley. Cilantro is what they call the leaves of the coriander plant. It should always be used when fresh. Cilantro has a tangy, pungent flavor that it imparts easily to salsa, rice, moles, beans, soups, and stews. It has a way of brightening up a dish.

Cumin is a spice made from the seeds of the cumin plant. They can be used whole or ground into a powder. Cumin is often used in conjunction with chile powder to create a balance in flavor. It is often used in soups, stews and other common dishes. Azafran is known as Mexican saffron, or safflower. This spice is used in very small amounts because it can be bitter. It causes the dish to develop a beautiful saffron like color and is often used in rice and seafood dishes.

If you study authentic Mexican food recipes you will see these spices used frequently, along with others such as thyme and oregano. In Mexico, they have a unique type of oregano that is earthier in flavor than Italian oregano. You can find this Mexican oregano in some herb catalogs. Unless you live in an area with a large Mexican population, it may be difficult to find it in local nurseries or grocery stores.

Take time to learn the familiar flavors of Mexico by paying attention to the spices and herbs they use every day. An authentic Mexican taste is impossible without them. Make the most out of your Mexican cooking by learning the correct way to use these spices. Your meals will be amazingly good once you learn the secrets of these seasonings.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org cooking Mexican food is easier than you might think find out just how simple it is to make your favorite Mexican food recipes at home in your own kitchen.

Instead of grabbing your keys and heading to the bar, have your own Cinco de Mayo bash. You get to have your favorite foods and drinks and there is no cover charge. Grab your most colorful clothes, throw on some salsa music, and start to plan your party. The best part about all this is you are in charge. The party is in the best of hands.

Do not bite off more than you can chew! The key to successful planning is delegating. Have your friends and family bring dishes or condiments for everyone to enjoy. Another option if people are too busy is to have it catered. Make a list of striking dishes everyone loves to eat; quesadillas, individual flans and tamales. A taco and salsa bar set up with all kinds of yummy finger foods is easy. Remember to have enough thirst-quenching drinks for all ages. You should not only have margaritas and Mexican beer, some type of non-alcoholic option needs to part of the festivities. Look for agua fresco and horchata at your local market; these are suitable for all ages.

Do not forget the decorations! They set the mood when your guests first walk in. Lots of party stores carry decorations for Cinco de Mayo if you want to go all out. You can get themed plates and banners; hang some chili pepper lights to create a festive atmosphere. If you are on a budget, make your own decorations. Tissue paper flowers, piatas, and maracas are fun for the whole family to make. Streamers in the color of the Mexican flag are an inexpensive, yet fun option.

Before putting together your guest list, you will need to figure out how many people your home can accommodate. Always add that the guest needs to RSVP on the invitations so you will be prepared. Give your invitation color and splash. Do not forget to get it out in a timely manner for all to respond.

Pick out some festive Mexican music to play during the party. Mexico has some beautiful folk music and who does not feel like having a good time when they listen to a mariachi band? Dancing is a great way for your guests to entertain themselves during your party.

If children will be at the party, add some games for them to play. Hang a piata they can break. Let them play pin the tail on the burro. You can probably convince the adults to join in with the kids for a fun Mexican-themed scavenger hunt.

Hosting Cinco de Mayo parties can be fun and rewarding for all. You might even make it an annual occurrence. The key to a great party is planning and delegation; you will not have disappointment when you plan for success.

After your party is over, you will be able to assess its level of success. Did everyone have a great time? Did you? The true mark of a successful party is when you can look back on it with satisfaction at all the great memories you made.

You might be new to the world of Mexican cooking and there is nothing wrong with that because all chefs have to start somewhere! That is why easy Mexican food recipes like beef taco skillet, spicy Mexican torte and chicken breast with mango salsa are such a godsend for novice cooks.