You might have been lucky enough to try real authentic Mexican food and, if so, perhaps some traditional Mexican pots or utensils were used in its preparation. Mexicans use different cooking methods, such as baking, deep-frying and slow roasting and they have pots and pans for these purposes. They also use a lot of fresh produce, including herbs and spices, so any Mexican kitchen will have plenty of sharp knives and a mortar and pestle.
A Look at Common Mexican Cooking Pots
Ollas, also known as Barros, are deep clay cooking pots. They are perfect for simmering beans, stew or soup and clay is a great medium for cookware because it distributes the heat evenly to avoid burnt spots. Barro means clay or mud and olla means pot. These cooking pots are fine to put over a direct flame all day long.
It is important to warm clay before using it or let it heat up as the oven does because it is sensitive to changes in temperature and might crack if exposed to heat suddenly. When you cook in clay, the food takes on a wonderful earthy taste.
A Comal is a big, round griddle, which can be made of cast iron, aluminum, or clay. Modern Comals are usually coated with a non-stick finish. Comals are used to roast chilies and warm tortillas.
A cazuela is a big clay dish for simmering sauces like mole. A cazuela is about six inches deep and round like a bowl. These Mexican pottery dishes usually have handles so you can place it over an open fire without burning yourself and the outside might be brightly painted. The inside of a cazuela is glazed.
A tortillero is a Mexican tortilla press. They are made traditionally from wood or, in modern times, cast iron. Some are made from aluminum but these tend not to last long. A tortillero has two round plates and you put a ball of masa between them to make a tortilla.
The Different Useful Mexican Utensils
You will find a metate y mano in most Mexican kitchens. This concave dish is the size of a platter and made of stone or rock. It will have three short legs and sit on the table or three long legs so you can sit up to it on a chair. There is a big, round stone, which you roll on the surface to mix together or grind the ingredients.
A molcajete y tejolote is a Mexican mortar and pestle. This little wood, stone or clay bowl has a matching cylindrical tube with rounded ends, which is used to pulverize your ingredients when you roll it around in a circular motion.
A molinillo is a wooden whisk, which is spun between your hands in hot chocolate to make it foamy on top. These can be highly ornate or plain. Most typical Mexican food can be made with regular equipment and utensils but using traditional Mexican cooking pots makes the cooking process more enjoyable and authentic and they look great displayed in a Mexican themed kitchen.
Not having authentic Mexican pots, pans and cooking utensils is no excuse not to make Mexican food! If you need some recipe inspiration, there is plenty to choose from at MexicanFoodRecipes.org and you will also find more articles on Mexican cookery and the fascinating history of Mexican food culture.
If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking Mexican food and recipes of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and spicy burrito, mild salad, or sweet and spicy salsa we have a wonderful selection of typical Mexican food recipes to choose from.
If you are in the mood for Mexican food tonight why not give one of our recipes like our Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe a try. Just one of the many delicious Mexican treats on our site.
While there take some time to learn more about the extraordinary history, culture and cooking methods used to make this wonderful blend of old and new world cuisine. We also have a full Mexican Cooking Glossary complete with phonetic pronunciations for the none Spanish speaking Mexican food lover.
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