Many countries have delicious food, and Mexico is one of them. Mexican street food has experienced rapid development because many people love it and it’s easy to find. Moreover, its taste is beyond doubt.

Why is Mexican Cuisine Popular?

The popularity of Mexican cuisine cannot be separated from the many Mexican restaurants that have emerged worldwide. This opens opportunities for people to taste the cuisine, but more than that, here are the reasons:

1. Full of Flavor

It’s undeniable that Mexican cuisine is rich in flavor. It’s full of spices and aromatics deliberately used to enhance the taste.

2. Healthy

Another reason is its healthiness due to the use of various vegetables and fruits. Fresh ingredients such as chili, cabbage, tomatoes, beans, and others are commonly used.

See also : Healthy Food Ingredients for Busy Days

3. Easy to Make

Mexican cuisine has complex flavors but is easy to recreate. It’s simple to make and this is also one of the factors that make Mexican food popular.

4. Flexible

Mexican food can be used for any occasion. One example is Burrito, which is simple yet contains sufficient nutrients. Despite its simplicity, it’s suitable for traveling and definitely filling.

5. Delicious

Undoubtedly, this is a popular reason because no matter how rich the flavor is, if it’s not delicious, it won’t have many enthusiasts. The main components of Mexican cuisine are savory flavors such as protein, beans, corn, and spices. You can customize it with vegetables and meat according to your preference.

Recipe for Mexican Street Food

Mexican cuisine is not only found in restaurants but also on the streets. Street food recipes tend to be simpler to make. Interested in trying? Here are some recipes:

1. Bionicos

Bionicos are delicious fruit bowls mixed with sweet yogurt, condensed milk, and Mexican crema. This food was originally found in food carts on the streets of Guadalajara, Mexico. It’s topped with granola, raisins, and shredded coconut.

a. Topping Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Mexican crema
• 1/3 cup condensed milk
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

b. Fruit Salad Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 cup sliced bananas
• 1 cup diced red apples
• 1 cup diced papaya
• 1 cup diced cantaloupe
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup granola

c. Instructions

First, make the topping by mixing all the prepared ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

Next, arrange the fruit salad ingredients in 4 bowls and distribute each fruit evenly (banana, apple, papaya, and cantaloupe). Place strawberries in the middle and sprinkle with granola, raisins, and coconut, then add the topping.

See also : Veganism: Plant-Based Eating Pattern

2. Elote (Mexican Corn on the Cob)

This is a recipe for Mexican-style boiled corn commonly found in street vendors. The ingredients and method are quite simple. After boiling the corn, it’s then grilled by brushing with butter and mayonnaise, and finally topped with salty Cotija cheese.

a. Ingredients

• Corn on the cob
• Butter
• Mayonnaise
• Cheese

b. Instructions

• First, clean the corn and boil it. Then grill the boiled corn on a grill.
• Before grilling, dip the boiled corn in melted butter and coat with mayonnaise.
• Then serve with a sprinkle of Cotija cheese and chili powder if you want to add some color.

3. Churros

This food is familiar and widely found. Churros have a crispy outer layer but are soft inside. They’re fried dough sticks coated with sugar and cinnamon.

a. Ingredients

• Water
• Sugar
• Salt
• Oil
• Flour
• Cinnamon

b. Instructions

• Boil salt, sugar, water, and vegetable oil. Then remove from heat and add to the flour.
• Next, transfer the dough to a pastry bag and shape it into sticks, then cut according to your preference.
• Fry the churro pieces in hot oil until golden brown.
• Drain the churros and roll them in cinnamon sugar before serving.

4. Birria de Chivo Estilo Jalisco (Mexican Goat Stew)

This dish is made from goat meat soaked in ancho chili sauce using finely ground spices. It’s served with refried beans and corn tortillas and is usually served for special occasions.

a. Marinade Ingredients

• 3 whole cloves
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 inch ginger
• 15 whole black peppercorns
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 3 ancho chilies
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 4 ½ pounds goat shanks

b. Meat Sauce Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 cups water
• 2 pounds ripe tomatoes
• 2 whole cloves
• 3 whole black peppercorns
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• Salt to taste

c. Spicy Sauce Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 30 chiles de árbol

d. Instructions

Boil a pot of water, add ancho chilies, and cook for 5 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the chilies soak in hot water until soft, about 10 minutes, then drain.

Blend the softened chilies and all marinade ingredients until smooth and strain into a bowl.

Place the goat in the bowl, pour the marinade over it, and cover the goat completely with the marinade. Then cover and refrigerate for about 8 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the goat and marinade to a baking dish and cover with a lid or aluminum foil.

Bake in the preheated oven until the goat is tender, about 3.5 hours. Remove the cover and cook until the goat turns brown, about 15 minutes. Then pour the meat juice into a container, cover, and keep warm.

Boil water and add tomatoes until soft. Then drain and let the tomatoes cool.

Peel the tomatoes and blend with the remaining goat juice, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp marjoram, 2 cloves garlic, 3 black peppercorns, and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth.

Pour the sauce into a small saucepan, season with salt, and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened.

Boil chiles de arbol until soft, then puree with 1 clove garlic, 10 black peppercorns, ¼ cup vinegar, and salt until the spicy sauce is smooth and strain. Then serve the sauce with the chopped goat meat.

Those are some reasons why Mexican cuisine is popular and simple recipes for Mexican street food that you can try.