Real Mexican Food as Eaten by Mexicans

Mexico of course lies next door to the United States of America. This means the people frequently cross the border and so, all over the states, even as far north as Washington State, one can find ‘Mexican ‘food.

But this isn’t quite the same food that is eaten south of the border. The Conquest of Mexico early in the 16th century gave rise to one of the richest ever culinary mixes in history. Cortez and his followers came to the new world in search of gold. They found rather a great wealth of culinary specialties such as chocolate, peanuts, vanilla, beans, squash, avocados, coconuts, corn and tomatoes. In return turn the Spanish brought to the Americas products pork, beef, lamb, citrus fruits, garlic, cheese, milk, wheat, vinegar, spices and wine. The result was Mexican cuisine as we now have it, and explains why it is difficult to decide what is authentically Mexican and what is not. Basically it is the food of the poor – meat is there, but vegetables and maize flour predominate.

Roast Pepper Dip

1tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil

1 head of garlic, peel intact

3 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled and seeded