By Mexican food took the US by storm, and its popularity isn’t slowing down. Unfortunately, what’s contributed to that popularity are restaurants like Taco Bell and Chipotle, which while ok if you’re in a hurry, they hardly classify as authentic Mexican. And, if you’ve not ever had authentic Mexican food, you don’t know what you’ve been missing.
However, getting out and getting authentic Mexican food is tough, especially if you live in an area dominated by food chains. Fortunately, you can make a delicious, authentically Mexican dish at home, and we’re going to give you several ideas to try.
Now, the first thing to remember is not to be intimidated when making authentic Mexican food at home. True, good Mexican food is made with complex flavors and spices and is a far cry from what you get at the fast food joints. But, if you’re willing to take a gamble, and do some experimentation, you’ll become a pro at making great Mexican dishes in no time. So, let’s take our taste buds south of the border and see what we can come up with!
Guacamole
What would authentic Mexican cuisine be without guacamole? Sure, you can buy it at the store, but why not take the time and make it fresh at home? To prepare, get five large avocados, preferably Hass, two limes, one medium diced white onion, 3/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro, one large diced tomato, and salt. Slice your avocados and scoop out the flesh and put it in a bowl. Add your lime juice and mash with a fork. Put in your chopped onions, tomato, and cilantro and gently stir until thoroughly mixed. Add in the juice of another lime and salt to your liking. Making your guacamole from fresh ingredients is quick and easy, and tastier than what you get at the store since you can season it to your taste.
Huevos Rancheros
This dish takes the boring fried egg for breakfast to the next level, and as the street corn, it’s super easy to make. Huevos Rancheros loosely translates to “rancher’s eggs,” and the dish is made of fried eggs on top of a lightly fried tortilla. This dish is traditionally topped with fresh salsa, and refried beans or avocado slices are typically served on the side. To make this dish authentic, try using fresh salsa, which means making it yourself with grated tomatoes, onions, chopped garlic, hot sauce, and salt and pepper.
Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas are one of the most popular Mexican dishes whether you’re going for the fast food version or getting them from an authentic Mexican restaurant. Fortunately, making great-tasting authentic chicken fajitas at home is easy, and here’s an idea to do them up in a single pan.
To making this tasty dish, put vegetable oil, chili powder, oregano, garlic, onion, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a sealable plastic bag. Then put in your chicken as well as bell peppers and onion. Shake to combine the ingredients thoroughly. Let this mixture marinate for about two hours in the fridge. Once you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Put your chicken mix in the pan and roast for about 20 minutes. Add some cilantro for garnish and serve in the fajita. This dish is a sure-fire hit and will taste better than what you can get when you’re out because you’re using fresh ingredients.
Baked Chimichangas
In case you don’t know, a chimichanga is a tortilla wrapped around a filling that usually consists of meat and rice. The authentic chimichanga is traditionally deep fried, but baking them is acceptable if you’re trying to eat healthy, but still want a great-tasting Mexican dish at home.
To make, take your shredded meat (beef or chicken) and mix with salsa, cumin, and oregano. Add your favorite cheese (preferably pepper jack) and then fold into your tortilla. Tuck in the tortilla’s sides and roll up. Place on a baking dish and bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Turn them over and bake for another 15 minutes. Serve with refried beans and a dollop of sour cream and guacamole.
Mexican Street Corn
A classic Mexican dish is Mexican Street Corn, and it’s corn on the cob topped with crema, which is a Mexican condiment that’s similar to sour cream, and cotija cheese, which is similar to feta, but drier, with a dash of cayenne or chili powder. If you can’t find crema, some people use mayonnaise, which completely changes the taste. It’s a way to take your traditional corn on the cob and step it up a notch.
And, making this dish is easy. Just spread your grilled corn on the cob with a thin layer of may roll in the cheese to coat. Add your cayenne and if you want a little extra zing, add a spritz of lime juice squeezed from wedges. The crema adds a rich flavor while the chili or cayenne add a kick. Once you try your corn this way, it’ll be tough to go back to dull corn on the cob.
One Skillet Rice Casserole
This rice casserole is easy to make, healthy, and tasty to boot. To make, cook up some diced onion along with cumin and chili powder in a large stovetop pan, then stir in fresh diced bell pepper and fresh green chilies. Let that mixture cook for a few minutes and add beans, corn, brown rice, and fresh salsa. Once you stir the mixture so that all the ingredients are combined, add in some shredded cheese and then place in the oven to broil until golden brown. It’s so easy and quick, and your cleanup involves only the one pan. It’s the perfect Mexican dish to make when you’re running short on time or don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Try these recipes out with family if you’re looking for fun things to do.
