Delicious Mexican

Delicious Mexican
By Katherine E. Hill

Mexican Restaurants

Buenos Grill

3892 Mayberry St.
(775) 787-8226

Bertha Miranda’s

336 Mill St.
(775) 786-9697

El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St.
(775) 327-4422

El Borracho

1601 S. Virginia St.
(775) 322-0313

El Pescador

499 E. Plumb Lane
(775) 323-0500

Hacienda Restaurant

10580 N. McCarran
(775) 746-2228

La Posada Real

5270 Longley Lane
(775) 852-1227

Las Trojes

1279 Baring Blvd., Sparks
(775) 359-3300

Mi Casa Too

2205 W. 4th St.
(775) 323-6466

Murrieta’s

3060 Vista Blvd., Sparks
(775) 356-1144

Si Amigos

1553 S. Virginia St.
(775) 348-1445

Go to any city or small town in any part of America and you’ll be sure to find one of the culinary favorites of this country – Mexican cuisine.

Americans have a love affair with Mexican food that has catapulted into one of the country’s food favorites.

Burritos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, nachos, tostadas and countless other items can be found at any Mexican restaurant, most of which boast menus with scores of selections, each more tantalizing than the next. From the meat lover to the vegetarian, Mexican cuisine is filled with dishes for any taste bud.

Traditional Mexican cuisine is based on the cuisine of Native Americas and is known for its spicy foods, tangy flavors and the variety of spices used in the dishes. As well, most Mexican dishes reflect a well-balanced diet with meals consisting of corn tortillas, beans, chili peppers, a variety of vegetables and proteins from a variety of meats and seafood.

Mexican cuisine also reflects outside influences from occupations by both Spain and France. The Spanish introduced burritos, bagels, rice, beef, chicken, wine, garlic, pork enchiladas and onions to the local cuisine, according to Mexican Food Info, a Web site dedicated to the cuisine. The French influence can be traced through the use of many rich sauces in today’s Mexican cuisine.

The traditional Mexican diet is filled with an assortment of food, featuring a wide variety of meats, seafood, vegetables and spices, with corn a staple of the diet.

Corn, or maize, is most commonly used for tortillas, which accompany most meals. Another staple are chilies, used both fresh and dried. Popular varieties of chilies are jalapeno, poblano, serrano, guajillo, chipotle, pasilla, habanero, ancho, mulato and cascabel, according to Sally’s Place, a food information Web site. A variety of beans are part of the Mexican diet including lentils, kidney, fava and pintos. In American-style dishes, pinto or black beans are served refried or boiled and served with a light broth.

Some of the staples of today’s Mexican cuisine in America are quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas and burritos.

Quesadillas originated with Native Americans and remain a popular dish featuring corn or flour tortillas with beef, chicken and cheese and chile pepper. Vegetables traditionally served in quesadillas include red peppers, green peppers, cauliflower, radishes, chiles and broccoli.

A taco is a traditional Mexican dish comprised of a rolled or folded, pliable maize tortilla filled with any number of meats or vegetables, and is a staple in many American homes.

A burrito is one of the most common Mexican dishes, from the region of Juarez, Mexico. Its name comes from the Spanish diminutive of burro, according to Mexican Food Info.

The burritos usually include meat such as beef or chicken and other ingredients such as rice, beans and salsa. The ingredients are wrapped in a large flour tortilla that has been lightly grilled in order to make the tortilla soft and more pliable. In the United States, burritos may sometimes be served wet, meaning it is smothered in a red chili sauce and melted cheese. Some of best burritos can be found in taquerias or in Mexican grocery stores that serve food.

An enchilada is a traditional dish that is made in many different ways. It is typically made with a maize tortilla that is dipped in oil to soften it and then in an enchilada sauce. The tortillas are filled with ingredients from meats, seafood, cheese, potatoes or any number of vegetables. They are then rolled up, placed in a casserole dish, layered with sauce and other items such as cheese or chopped onions.

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