| So many of us think immediately of beef when we | | | | Mexico. The roast needs to be browned first. Use the |
| think of Mexican food. We have all had our share of | | | | rendered fat to fry up a flavorful salsa created from |
| beef tacos, beef enchiladas and beef burritos, have | | | | chilies, tomatoes, and tomatillos. Reduce the sauce and |
| not we? Beef is actually a staple in northern Mexico, | | | | then add broth and water. Add the browned beef |
| but not in the rest of the country. When the Spanish | | | | back in the pot and let it simmer slowly until the meat |
| brought cattle with them in the 1500s, they discovered | | | | falls off the bone. Add a few more vegetables and let |
| that northern Mexico had excellent grazing lands. This | | | | them cook. |
| region became home to many Spanish cattle ranches. | | | | Barbacoa, or what we know as barbecue, is very |
| Beef, mutton, cabrito (goat), and pork are a large part | | | | common in northern Mexico. The beef or other meat is |
| of northern Mexico's cuisine. These meats are usually | | | | roasted slowly in a covered pit or brick oven over |
| marinated before cooking to add flavor and | | | | indirect heat until the meat is tender and full of flavor. |
| tenderness. Beef is the most common ingredient when | | | | The barbecued meat can then be used in any number |
| we look at recipes that have been sent to America. | | | | of dishes or eaten as is. |
| The beef is cooked over a long period of time to get | | | | As you get to know Mexican food better, you will see |
| the tenderest results. | | | | that for the best results you should always use fresh |
| Boiled or roasted beef can be shredded to be added | | | | ingredients. Canned and frozen foods just do not add |
| to any number of recipes from enchiladas to tacos. | | | | much to the recipe. Fresh ingredients are more |
| Marinating in all those seasonings make the beef taste | | | | nutritious and have more complex flavors. Using slow |
| delicious as it melts in the mouth. Oregano, cumin, and | | | | cooking methods, you can also get great results with |
| chilies are used every day in preparing recipes. Cilantro | | | | less expensive cuts of meat. You do not need to |
| will also give that authentic Mexican taste that you | | | | spend a lot to create a meal your family will love. |
| know and love. | | | | Mexican cuisine uses many more types of meat than |
| Wheat is grown in northern Mexico, so flour tortillas are | | | | just beef. Rabbit, turkey, pork, goat, and sheep are also |
| more common there than the corn tortillas are. Beef is | | | | common ingredients in delicious recipes. Go ahead and |
| wrapped up in flour tortillas to make burritos, | | | | try something different. Mexican recipes make the |
| quesadillas, and other delicious fare. Mexican beef | | | | meat tender and full of flavor, no matter what type |
| stews simmer slowly all day long to deliver an inviting | | | | you use. Take a little time to learn how to cook beef |
| meal for the family. | | | | using Mexican spices and cooking methods so your |
| Pot roasts are a favorite way to prepare beef in | | | | family will want to eat every bite. |