Anyone interested in cooking genuine Mexican fare realizes that there is more involved than picking up a taco kit at the local grocery store. A real Mexican meal needs to have fresh, flavorful ingredients. Here is a small sample of the items your pantry and refrigerator should contain in order to give your family and guests a true south of the border experience.
Produce
As with any type of cuisine, the fresher the produce you find, the better the final dish will taste. Mexican cooking makes use of many fruits and vegetables. Primary items to keep on hand include corn, limes and lots of tomatoes. Fresh avocados and tomatillos are also popular ingredients.
Seafood
Often overlooked, many Mexican cooks make the most of seafood. Ceviche, made from raw fresh fish is one example. While this is a dish more commonly seen in South and Central America, it still incorporates Mexican spices and flavors. Other popular dishes include bass, prawns and red snapper.
Beans
Nutritious, flavorful and low-fat, beans are an ingredient any pantry should contain. In addition to the previous mentioned attributes, beans also have an amazingly long shelf life and are inexpensive. Types to keep in stock are pinto beans, haricot, black beans and kidney. Remember to purchase them dried rather than canned for better quality, value and nutrition. Wholesale Mexican Food suppliers carry most, if not all of these beans, so they are generally easy to locate.
Cheese
Cheese is the best part of the dish for many diners and Mexican cooking makes the most of many. Best wholesale mexican food in Pennsylvania area commonly carries these types which include Queso Blanco, Queso fresco and cheddar. Other easy-to-find options which provide the right flavor and texture are feta, mozzarella and Monterey jack.
Spices and Seasonings
There are so many spices and seasonings popular in Mexican cooking it would be nearly impossible to list them all. Of course chilies and various chili powders are a necessity, but there is also cumin, oregano and cocoa.
This list consists of some of the basic ingredients to consider, but there is so much more available. You will also need tamales, tortillas, poultry and beef to complete a satisfying meal. Thankfully, Mexican products are now found all over the country, not just near the border. There is even Wholesale Mexican Food in Pennsylvania as well as elsewhere across the northeast.
