|
 Spanish food is often erroneously considered to be the same as Mexican. It is true that the history of Mexican cuisine does include some influences from Spain. However, cuisine from Spain also has some Mexican influences. Beyond that, each is its own individual cuisine.
Tacos, Enchiladas, and Quesadillas top the list of what someone might expect upon encountering Mexican cuisine. The heavy use of beans and cheese is also to be expected with these dishes. Honey, corn, and rice are three additional items that are quite typical in a lot of Mexican recipes. Corn tortillas are also commonly used. Spain brought olives, garlic, and cheese to Mexico. Tomatoes actually went the other way, and were brought into Spain, as well as its dishes from Mexico.
At a Mexican restaurant one would expect to encounter a lot of wrapped dishes. From enchiladas to burritos to chimichangas, there are plenty of options where the bulk of the protein is contained in a tortilla. This is actually something to note about this type of cuisine. Dishes often consist of single servings of hand held food. On the contrary, the counterpart from Spain is often presented in a shared fashion. This can lead to easier eating with the hands, unless they are covered in sauce and melted cheese. Of course, tequila is native to Mexico, as well as some of the spicier dishes that are offered. Peppers are commonly used in Mexican dishes, but in Spanish food they are often the milder varieties. Chocolate is important in Mexican cuisine as well. It comes from its earlier Aztec influences. While it was originally used as a drink, it is now used in a variety of dishes, and not all of them are desserts.
Spanish food has evolved with plenty of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. There will likely be an abundance of potatoes in these dishes, as well as eggplant. Shellfish is used in a number of typical dishes as well. One notable dish is Paella. While there are many variations of this, it is a rice dish often augmented with shellfish of some sort. The dish’s name comes from the name of the pan that is traditionally used to make it in. To begin with, the meats, which could be shrimp, pork, or chicken, to name a few, are sautéed and then seasonings and olive oil are added. Next, saffron, rice, and tomatoes simmer together until they are cooked. At that point the meats are added to the dish.
Patatas Bravas is another Spanish food. This dish includes chunks of potatoes and a spicy sauce. Another typical dish is the Spanish Tortilla. This is a thick omelet, named to distinguish between a typical omelet and a Mexican tortilla. Gazpacho is a chilled vegetable soup that is another example of a typical dish from this country.
Anyone who can appreciate the differences between Mexican and Spanish food will know what to expect when they go out to enjoy a meal. They will not expect to find Spanish food inside of a Mexican restaurant.
|
