In many traditional Mexican dishes, especially authentic Mexican food, there is the familiar combination of meats, vegetables, fruits and sometimes even nuts, served on an array of tortillas, such as flat, conchon, cheddar or sourdough. Tacos are the modern creation of a Mexican kitchen, where ingredients are cooked and served in what is called a taco shell.
There are many variations on the taco shell, such as circular shells (taquitos), which are filled with cheese, salsa and chopped vegetables; long shells (Mexican flats) that are deep-fried and served with vegetables, queso and guacamole; and the Americanized round taco, which are cut into wedges and served with salsa, queso and hot sauce. In many Mexican cities like Miami, taqueria coatings (also called tortilla chips) are made with corn, flour and other ingredients to form patties that are then fried and served with all the fixings. These patties are the perfect size for tacos and make for easy clean up, especially if the chip is heated on the inside.
One of the most famous foods from the Mexican culinary tradition is Chorizo, shredded beef meat common throughout Mexico. It can also be used in many different forms, such as enchiladas (semi-frizzy strips of red or green Chiles rolled and stuffed into tortillas). At the top 10, though, Chorizo is probably the most familiar form of this popular dish in the United States: Chorizo can be found in just about every supermarket, and the range of flavors and cuts is dizzying.
Another traditional delicacy that makes its way to the top 10 list is lime juice. A simple life is squeezed over a hot casserole (or tacos, flautas or taquitos) or along with a fresh, cold pitcher of pure (or filtered) lime juice and served. It’s a relatively unknown favorite of Mexican cooks and is often found incorporated into a more elaborate meal, such as a lenga or fajitas. lime juice has a similarly wide variety of uses beyond as a culinary mainstay, including being a staple of many South American cuisines.
One of the easiest ways to tell whether an establishment is considered authentic is by the choice of ingredients. Obviously, if you’re looking for a high calorie, fatty, deep-fried treat you’re going to have to avoid the grease-filled street tacos and standing alleys of old Mexico. But if you’re looking for a nice, healthy chili or burrito, then you’re going to be able to find it at the top 10 most authentic Mexican restaurants. It may be greasy, but it’s still packed with flavor.
Beyond tortillas, there are a number of other wonderful options for filling up your Mexican taco, including fresh cilantro, lime, avocado, salsa, guacamole, black beans, queso, cheddar cheese, jack cheese, sour cream, cheese, chopped fruit, vegetables, chopped vegetables, nachos, and more. Nachos are also a very important ingredient in Mexican cuisine, try not to miss out on this one! They’re simply addictive. They’re covered in cheese, chili powder, and sour cream (sometimes topped with cheese, sometimes with sour cream and jalapenos). Nachos can also be served plain, with the crust of the corn tortilla on the bottom, or served with guacamole, salsa, or other ingredients. Nachos are definitely an essential ingredient for any authentic Mexican dish.
Reference: Elfaro (you will always find the best Mexican food made with fresh ingredients, cooked with our family’s old recipes)
