Mexico offers a unique cuisine that is delicious and healthy. Ancestral home to the Mayan, Aztec and Zapotec civilizations, Mexico has a long history in cultivating food. Native staples included avocados, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of squash. For meat, they hunted deer, turkey, quail, and rabbit. Chocolate is a native plant in this area, and was prepared as a beverage for the Aztec royalty.

When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they brought their favorite foods with them. Pork, beef, cheese, and cream were added and combined with the native foods. The Spanish brought sheep, chickens, wheat, and sugar. Three hundred years later when Spain finally gave up control of Mexico, their influence on Mexican food was well established.

The most important ingredient in Mexican cuisine is corn. Cornmeal, also known as masa, is made into dough that forms the base for tamales, empanadas, and tortillas. Corn is also added as an ingredient to stews, soups and more. Flour tortillas are more popular in northern Mexico. Chili peppers are frequently used in Mexican dishes. Jalapenos, Serrano and poblano chilies are some of the more popular choices.

Beans also provide a good source of protein in Mexican meals. Pinto beans are found in the north, while black beans are popular in the Yucatan peninsula. There are many different varieties used throughout Mexico to make dishes like frijoles (refried beans).

Beans are not the only food that is regional. In the hot, dry north, beef is eaten a lot because there is plenty of room for grazing. The Pacific coast offers excellent coffee and corn stew. On the Gulf coast, tropical fruits and vegetables are served with fish and seafood. The Spanish influence is very strong in Central Mexico, as this is where they settled. On the Yucatan Peninsula, seafood, eggs, black beans and corn are common food items.

If you want to try making an authentic Mexican meal at home, there are many recipes online to try. Mexican rice recipe are easy and delicious. They are a good dish to start out with. Once you have tried making rice (arroz in Mexico), you will find yourself adding it to your menu frequently.

Do not be afraid to experiment and try new things. A new variety of bean may add a different texture or flavor to your meal. Serve tortillas and salsa with a meal, or try something completely new like ceviche. Even the kids can get busy in the kitchen and make quesadillas or tacos.

For something new, try a Mexican breakfast. In the summer, a simple bowl of mixed tropical fruit is an authentic choice. On a colder day, try some scrambled eggs mixed with salsa. Fill a tortilla with a fried egg, tomatoes, ham, chilies, and cheese and serve it up with some refried beans for a taste you will find exciting.

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