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Archives for Mexican Recipes category

Authentic Mexican Recipes – Refried Beans

Posted on Oct 18, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Making Refried Beans

Making your own refried beans is actually really easy and they taste so much better than those canned versions. Just cook the beans all day in a slow-cooker and then they take just minutes to fry up when you’re ready for dinner.

Soak and cook the beans
 How to make Refried Beans

What you will need:

  • 16 oz bag of pinto beans
  • Large bowl of water to soak the beans
  • Olla, stock pot or crock pot to cook the beans
  • Fat for frying the beans (In order of preference- lard, pork fat, bacon renderings, coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable oil or any combination of those)
  • A comal, cast iron pan or other frying pan
  • A wooden spoon or other utensil to smash the beans with
  • Additional water to thin the beans (optional)

First you will need to soak the beans overnight in a large bowl of water. The water should cover the beans by at least 2 inches. Loosely cover them and let them soak for 12-24 hours at room temperature. After soaking, rinse them thoroughly in a colander or strainer and keep an eye out for any rocks or debris that may be mixed in with the beans. Place the beans in an olla, stockpot or Crock-pot and add enough water to cover the beans. Cook on/over low for eight to ten hours or until the beans are cooked and softened.

When the beans are fully cooked, they should look like this. There should be very little or no water remaining because the beans should have absorbed it all.

How to make Refried Beans

Making Refride Bean

 

Prepare the pan by heating up about three tablespoons of the fat until it is melted. If your pan is heavy, use a wooden spoon to spread the fat around the pan, or just pick up the pan and swirl the fat around. Try dropping a pinch of bean into the fat, if it sizzles it is ready.
How to make Refried Beans

 

Add a spoonful of the beans to the hot fat. There should be no liquid with the beans or the liquid will spatter in the fat. Take care to not burn yourself during the frying process. Use oven mitts or a splatter shield to help prevent you from getting hit with the hot fat.
How to make Refried Beans
Using a wooden spoon or other mashing utensil, smash the beans a little bit at a time while they fry in the hot pan.
How to make Refried Beans
When the first spoonful of beans has been fried for a minute or two, push them to the side of the pan and add another spoonful of beans and begin to fry them. It is very important that you have sufficient fat in the pan, so add another tablespoon (or two) if you need too.
How to make Refried Beans
Continue to add the beans into the hot pan with a large serving spoon, approximately 1/2 at a time. Keep smashing them and frying them until they are all in the pan.
How to make Refried Beans
The beans will be very thick at this point and that might be fine for you, depending on what you are using them for. If you need to thin them out a little bit, add 1/4 of water and mix it in over medium heat until. Continue to add water until the beans are the right texture for you.
How to make Refried Beans
You can serve them as they are, or you can simmer them while you add seasonings such as chopped garlic, chopped onion or garlic powder and onion powder.
How to make Refried Beans
Refried beans make a great side dish for just about any Mexican meal and they can be added to soups, burritos, quesadillas and more. Feel free to get creative with your refried beans and add some additional flavors such as chopped jalapenos, hot chile sauce, chopped green chiles or a couple of pinches of cumin while they are simmering. You can also add toppings such as chopped onion, chopped cilantro or a sprinkle of queso fresco or asadero.

How to make Refried Beans

Enjoy your Refride Beans!
By: Chelsie Kenyon @ about.com
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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Pollo Guisado with Red Chiles and Onions

Posted on Oct 03, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Pollo Guisado

Chicken is a staple in most kitchens, so if you have some around try making this delicious Pollo Guisado bursting with the flavors of red chiles, onions, and garlic.  It is cooked slowly until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and topped with the cooking sauce for maximum flavor.

A lovely guisado of juicy chicken and aromatic garlic. This is absolutely delicious served as is, but I also love it rolled up in a flour tortilla or as a filling for tamales.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large red chiles, dried
  • Hot water for soaking the chiles
  • 3 tablespoons lard or other cooking oil
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 8 cloves of garlic,
  • 2 lbs chicken pieces, with skin and bone (about 6-8 pieces)
  • 2 cups of chicken stock
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Preparation:

Using scissors, cut the stem off of each chile and then cut it down the side so you can remove the seeds. Place the chiles in a bowl and add hot water to cover them.Heat the oil in a large saucepan that can hold all of the chicken pieces without crowding the pan. Toss in the onion and begin to cook until they begin to turn translucent. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes. Push the garlic and onion to the sides of the pan, and turn up the heat to medium-high. Place the chicken pieces into the pan, one at a time, waiting a few moments between each piece. Cook the chicken until the skin is browned then turn over and brown the other side. You want it to be quite brown, but not burnt. When the chicken is browned, turn down the heat and let the pan cool down for a minute.Remove the chiles from the soaking liquid and puree them (you can use a food processor, blender or a stick blender) or you can chop them up extremely fine. Add the chiles to the stock and then carefully pour the mixture into the pan. Stand back in case the stock sputters when you put it into the hot pan.

Bring the liquid to a simmer. Let it simmer over low heat for up to an hour or until the chicken is extremely tender. Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a platter or a dish with sides to hold the sauce in. To the braising liquid add the juice of one lemon, 1/4 cup chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be slightly thickened from cooking, but you can continue to cook it over medium heat until it reduces further if you need too.

Pour the finished sauce over the chicken and serve immediately. You can serve it with chopped onions, cilantro, chile sauce, chopped chiles and a stack of steaming hot corn or flour tortillas.

Resources: By Chelsie Kenyon @ about.com

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Authentic Mexican Recipe – The Guacamole Song

Posted on Sep 27, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Great Guacamole Recipe!

Enjoy!

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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Beef and Roasted Tomato Mexican Rice

Posted on Sep 19, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Using beef broth creates a rich and savory flavor for this fluffy rice while chunks of roasted tomatoes add texture and color. It will make a great match for your favorite beef dish.

This quick and easy dish is made with beef broth and fire roasted tomatoes for a wonderfully mild side dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon lard or butter
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
  • 1 fourteen oz can of beef broth with onions
  • 1 fourteen oz can of fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup water

Preparation:

Warm the lard or butter in a medium pot over medium heat and begin to saute the rice until the grains begin to become opaque. Carefully add in the beef broth, tomatoes, and garlic powder. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to simmer and cover. Let it simmer for 15-17 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve with your favorite dish.Substitutions- You can add 2-3 cloves of chopped fresh garlic instead of the powder. If you don’t have beef broth with onions, you can add 1/4 cup chopped onion when you saute the rice. If you don’t have fire roasted tomatoes, chopped or diced tomatoes will be fine. Just make sure they do not have any additional seasonings.

This is another of Chelsies great recipes. Enjoy!

By Chelsie Kenyon @about.com  Re-Published  on September 19, 2011 by Aetna Jo Buitron

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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Spicy Pickled Carrots

Posted on Sep 08, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Try these delicious pickled carrots as an appetizer or a quick, healthy snack. Reviewers have given it 5 stars and agree that they are easy to make and taste great.

These spicy pickled carrots are not exactly a side dish, they are very strongly flavored so they are usually eaten in small amounts along with the main dish. Spicy pickled carrots add a wonderful zing of flavor to any meal.
Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces
  • 5 cloves garlic peeled and diced
  • 1 1/2 cups vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 10 bay leaves, whole
  • 8 peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 oz. pickled jalapenos
Preparation:
Heat oil in a large saucepan and saute the garlic. Add in carrots and saute for 2-3 minutes. Carefully add in vinegar, peppercorns, salt, and and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes and then add water and jalapenos and bring to a simmer again for another 10 mintues.Let it cool completely and then transfer the carrots and cooking liquid into a covered container and refrigerate overnight. Store the carrots in the liquid and use a slotted spoon to serve them. You may leave the bay leaves in the liquid to add to the flavor, but do not eat them. Always remove the bay leaves before you eat the carrots.

Resources: Chelsie Kenyon @ About.com

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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Quick Quesadillas

Posted on Aug 29, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

 Quick Quesadillas

These deliciouse Quick Quesadillas are the quickest funnest and best Quick Quesadillas that you’ll ever need.
These cheesey quesadillas make a great snack or meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 large flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded jack cheese
  • 1 small bell pepper
  • 1/4 small onion, peeled and sliced
  • Optional- leftover beef or chicken
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chile powder

Preparation:

Seed the bell pepper and slice into 1/4 inch strips. In a small pan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil over medium heat, and sauté the peppers and onions for 3-4 minutes or until slightly limp. While cooking them, sprinkle on the cumin and chile powder. Place a tortilla on a warm griddle over low heat. Sprinkle on 1/2 of the cheese and all of the peppers and onions. Top with remaining cheese and the other tortilla, and heat for 3 minutes on each side or until cheese is melted. Remove and slice into wedges. Serve with guacamole and sour cream.
Enjoy this recipe of Quick Quesadillas.
Resourses: Chelsie Kenyon at About.com
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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Breakfast Enchiladas

Posted on Aug 22, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | 1 Comment
How to Make Enchiladas Step-By-Step with Pictures
This recipe turns a dinner favorite into a breakfast favorite. Also makes a great addition to your brunch menu.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
  • 6 eggs, cooked scrambled with a pinch of salt
  • 6 corn tortillas
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 3 cups of green chile sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups grated queso blanco or jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup cotija, crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon serrano chile, seeded and diced (optional for spiciness)*
Preparation:
Brush oil onto tortillas and bake in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Turn oven down to 300 degrees.Fill each warm tortilla with eggs and shredded cheese. Fold the edges over to form a roll and turn over seam side down. Place in a baking dish. Continue with the rest of the tortillas.Drizzle sauce over the top of the enchiladas and bake in 300 degree oven for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.Sprinkle cotija cheese over the top and serve immediately.

*Add serrano chile to eggs before scrambling them.  Enjoy!

By: Chelsie Kenyon @ About.com

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Authentic Mexican Recipes – What do People Eat in Mexico?

Posted on Aug 19, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

The variety of food available in Mexico is truly great, with unique dishes for each region as you move from the north to the south, east to west, with many regional styles throughout. We are often asked, “What is the official food or meal of Mexico?” The truth is, there is no real official dish of Mexico, as it really depends on where you are.

Beef, chicken and pork dishes are popular throughout the country, and fish is an important item anywhere near Mexico’s long pacific and caribbean coasts. You’ll find vegetables of every kind and include the traditional beans, often served with rice. There is also a large variety of salsas and chilis including the very hot habanerocommon in the south.

If there is one food item common to all of Mexico, it would be the corn tortilla. Corn originates from Mexico and is still a main staple of diet there, even though flour is becoming more popular. Anywhere you travel in Mexico you’ll find food stands that offer tacos of many varieties, all using the corn tortilla, and corn tortillas are still made fresh daily in stores, bakeries and food stands. So in that sense, since it is so common to all of Mexico, the simple taco could be considered the “unofficial” dish of Mexico.

The following is also a version of another popular food, ‘Enchiladas.’

Enchiladas Verdes de Jocoque

(Green Chile,Sour Cream Enchiladas)


  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 9 Corn Tortillas
  • 4 cups masa harina
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cooked chicken
  • 1 cup chopped green chile
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • Shortening

1. Combine 1 cup of broth with the flour in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the remaining broth and cook on medium heat until thickened.
2. Stir the chicken, chile, and garlic salt into broth and set aside.
3. Heat 1/2 inch of shortening in a heavy pan at medium-high heat.
4. Quickly dip each tortilla into the shortening to soften. Drain on absorbent towels.
5. Combine 1 cup cheese, onion, and sour cream in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
6. Assemble the enchiladas by placing 1/4 cup of sauce on each dinner plate, followed by a tortilla, 1/4 cup of sauce, and 1/3 cup of sour cream mixture. Top with remaining sauce and cheese.
7. Place in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes, or until cheese melts.

NOTE: Traditionally, enchiladas are topped with a fried or poached egg before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Lawerence Wheeler.

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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Orange Cilantro Marinade for Fish or Chicken

Posted on Aug 08, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Orange-Cilantro Marinade for Fish or Chicken

The bold orange flavor is intensified with the addition of cilantro. Use on flaky white fish such as halibut, tilapia or mahi-mahi. Also great on chicken.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 an orange, juiced
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 jalapeno fresh, seeds removed

Preparation:

Blend all ingredients in the blender for 30 seconds or until almost smooth.Place fish in bowl or large baggie and pour marinade over. Make sure the marinade coats the fish or chicken completely. If using chicken, spear with a fork several times to allow marinade to penetrate.

Leave in the refrigerator overnight. When it’s ready, bake or grill fish until it is no longer translucent and is flaky. Bake or grill chicken until it reaches 170 degrees.  Enjoy!

Resource:  Chelsie Kenyon About.com

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Authentic Mexican Recipe – Mexican Strawberry Popsicles

Posted on Jul 30, 2011 under Authentic Mexican Recipes, Mexican Recipes | No Comment

Paletas de Fresa - Mexican Strawberry Popsicles

There is nothing better on a hot summer day than cool and refreshing paletas (popsicles.)  Try this made with strawberries for a burst of fresh summer flavor.  These Paletas de Fresas are super easy to make with no artificial colors or flavors so they are a much better alternative than something you might pick up from the store and kids love to help make them.  For a more “gourmet” adult version, try adding a bit of chopped basil, mint or even a couple of pinches of hot chile powder.

Recipe:

Paletas, Mexican popsicles, are a deliciously refreshing treat on a hot summer day. They are lightly sweetened and made with fresh fruit which makes them a much healthier alternative to popsicles that contain artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup drinking water
  • 1 1/2 cups ice cubes
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Preparation:

Bring the water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add the sugar and stir occasionally until sugar has melted into the water. Remove from heat and pour into large measuring cup, and add ice until you reach 2 cups total. Stir ice until it is melted and the water mixture is cooled. Coarsely chop the strawberries. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of the strawberries into each popsicle mold. Pour the water mixture into each mold to reach the top. Use a long spoon or a popsicle stick to gently stir the strawberries into the liquid. Place lid on, and add sticks. Freeze for one hour or until solid.  Enjoy!
Resource: By Chelsie Kenyon About.com
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