Entertaining Appetizer - Mexican Beef

So many of us think immediately of beef when we think of Mexican food. We have all had our share of beef tacos, beef enchiladas and beef burritos have, not we? Beef is actually a staple in northern Mexico, but not in the rest of the country. When the Spanish brought cattle with them in the 1500s, they discovered that northern Mexico had excellent grazing lands. This region became home to many cattle ranches Spanish.

Beef, mutton, cabrito (goat), and pork are a large part of northern Mexico's cuisine. These meats are usually marinated before cooking To add flavor and tenderness. Beef is the most common ingredient when we look at recipes that have been sent to America. The beef is cooked over a long period of time to get the tenderest results.

Boiled or roasted beef can be shredded to be added to any number of recipes from tacos to enchiladas. Marinating in all those seasonings make the beef taste delicious as it melts in the mouth. Oregano cumin, and chilies are used every day in preparing recipes. Cilantro will then give that authentic Mexican taste that you know and love.

Wheat is grown in northern Mexico, so flour tortillas are more common there than the corn tortillas are. Beef is wrapped up in flour tortillas to make burritos, quesadillas, and other delicious fare. Mexican beef stews simmer slowly all day long to deliver on inviting meal for the family.

Pot roasts are a favorite way to prepare beef in Mexico. The roast needs to be browned first. Use the rendered fat to fry up a flavorful salsa created from chilies, tomatoes, and tomatillos. Reduce the sauce and then add broth and water. Add the browned beef back in the pot and let it simmer slowly until the meat falls off the bone. Add a few more vegetables and let them cook.

Barbacoa, or what we know as barbecue, is very common in northern Mexico. The beef or other meat is slowly roasted in a covered pit or brick oven over indirect heat until the meat is tender and full of flavor. The barbecued meat can then be used in any number of dishes or eaten as is.

As you get to know better Mexican food, you will see that for the best results you should always use fresh ingredients. Canned and frozen foods just do not add much to the recipe. Fresh ingredients are more nutritious and have more complex flavors. Using slow cooking methods, you can also get great results with less expensive cuts of meat. You do not need to spend a lot to create a meal your family will love.

Mexican cuisine uses many more types of meat than just beef. Rabbit, turkey, pork, goat, and sheep are so common ingredients in delicious recipes. Go ahead and try something different. Mexican recipes make the meat tender and full of flavor, no matter what type you use. Take a little time to learn how to cook beef using Mexican spices and cooking methods so your family will want to eat every bite.