Exploring recipes with Mexican Tortillas means immersing yourself in a rich and varied gastronomic tradition, ranging from classic tacos and burritos to lesser-known Mexican recipes.
Whether to contain, wrap or be dipped, tortillas are much more than a simple accompaniment, They are a fundamental base that defines the identity of many traditional Mexican recipes, making each dish one of a kind.
TORTILLAS: CHARACTERISTICS AND TYPES
- Tortillas are a staple of Mexican cuisine, similar to thin discs of bread, used in a variety of dishes. They can be made mainly with two ingredients: corn or wheat flour ( trigo ).
- Corn tortillas, traditional and with a rich history dating back to pre-Columbian times, are generally smaller and stiffer, ideal for recipes such as tacos and enchiladas.
- Flour Tortillas , introduced later, are larger, softer and more flexible, perfect for wrapping ingredients in dishes such as burritos and fajitas.
- In addition to composition, the consistencies of tortillas can vary from soft to crunchy, greatly influencing the texture of the final dish.
THE 4 RECIPES WITH THE MOST FAMOUS MEXICAN TORTILLAS
TACOS
- Tacos represent one of the best – known examples of Mexican cuisine globally. Born as a practical work meal among miners, they are made with folded corn tortillas filled with meat , vegetables, cheese and spices.
- The term “taco” comes from “tlahco” in Nahuatl, meaning “half,” referring to the way the tortilla is traditionally folded around the filling. The corn tortilla is chosen for its texture and ability to hold the filling without breaking easily.
ENCHILADAS
- Enchiladas are corn tortillas filled with meat, covered in sauce and cheese and then baked.
- The name “enchilada” comes from the Spanish verb “enchilar,” which means “to add chili pepper” to something, reflecting the importance of the spicy sauce that characterizes this dish.
- In this dish, corn tortillas are used for their ability to integrate perfectly with the sauce, absorbing it and becoming part of the overall flavor of the dish.
BURRITOS
- Born in northern Mexico, burritos have taken the world by storm with their ready-to-wear convenience. The term “burrito” means “little donkey,” a playful reference to these animals’ ability to carry heavy weights, similar to the burrito known for its generous size and being packed with various ingredients.
- They are prepared by wrapping a rich filling of rice, beans, meat and vegetables in a flour tortilla. The flour tortilla is used for its flexibility and size, allowing multiple ingredients to be wrapped in one large wrapper.
FAJITAS
- Among the recipes with tortillas we cannot mention fajitas . It is actually a dish of Tex-Mex origin, which has also found a place on the menus of Mexican restaurants.
- They feature marinated and grilled meat served on a flour tortilla with onions and peppers.
- The name “fajita” refers to the “belt” of meat originally used for the dish.
- The tortilla used for this Mexican recipe is made of flour, soft and resistant, ideal for welcoming the hot mix of meat and vegetables without tearing.
OTHER MEXICAN RECIPES WITH TORTILLAS
- In addition to these classics, tortillas lend themselves to countless other Mexican cuisine recipes.Quesadillas are flour or corn tortillas , filled with cheese, folded in half and then grilled until the cheese becomes stringy.
- Chilaquiles are an ideal dish for recycling stale tortillas, which are cut into pieces, fried and then dipped in green or red sauce, to be finally garnished with eggs, cream, cheese and onion . A substantial and tasty breakfast.
- Tostadas use corn tortillas that are fried until crispy and then covered in generous layers of beans, meat, lettuce, cheese and salsa . A dish that is both rich and fun with its different textures, perfect for a light but complete lunch.
