Exotic Mexican recipes to try at home

Mexican cuisine resonates with vibrant, zingy, fresh and spicy flavours. And the cuisine is a perfect reflection of the culture. Indians too have started playing around with Mexican flavours and trying a few favourites. Having said that, many still feel hesitant to cook a full Mexican meal at home. We’re here to simplify the process and be your guide to a full course Mexican meal. Here are a few recipes that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

1. Prawn Tostadas

Tostada means fried or toasted. Deep-fried tortillas are served with spicy prawns and other toppings. Can be served as a starter or a meal.

Cook time: 20 minutes + 2 hours of marination

Serves: 4
Type: Starter

Ingredients for topping:

Prawns: 500 grams (cleaned and deveined)
Paprika powder: 2-3 tsp.
Cumin powder: 1 tsp.
Clove powder: ½ tsp.
Oil: 2 tbsps. + 2 tbsps. for cooking

Ingredients for the salsa:

Tomatoes: 2
Red bell pepper: 1
Green bell pepper: 1
Onion: 1
Coriander: a small bunch
Lemon: 2
Olive Oil: 2-3 tbsps.
Paprika powder: 2 tsp.
Salt: to taste

Ingredients for the tostadas:

Tortilla: 4
Olive oil: to deep fry
Chipotle mayonnaise: to spread
Avocadoes: 2

Method:

i. Mix all the ingredients of the filling with prawns. Leave it for a couple of hours.
ii. Take a pan and heat some oil. Cook prawns along with the marination till done.
iii. Prepare the salsa by finely chopping the vegetables. Season it with the juice of the lemons, paprika powder, coriander leaves, salt and oil.
iv. Cut the tortillas into small bite-sized roundels using a cookie cutter or knife. The leftovers can be fried and had as a snack with the salsa. Fry these roundels.
v. To serve, spread the mayonnaise over the fried tortillas. Top it with prawns, salsa and finely chopped avocadoes.
vi. These can be served hot or cold.

(Tip: Add the topping only before serving. The tortillas have to be crisp.)

2. Enchiladas

These are Mexican corn tortilla wraps that are baked with sauce and cheese. They are traditionally served in breakfast or as a main in lunches.

Cook time: 60 minutes

Serves: 4
Type: Main course

Ingredients for the filling:

Olive Oil: 2 tbsps.
Onions: 2
Tomatoes: 2
Mushrooms: 200 grams
Red capsicum: 1
Corn: 1 cup
Baked beans: 2 cups
Paprika powder: 2 tsp.
Salt to taste

Ingredients for the sauce:

Olive oil: 3-4 tbsps.
Onion: 2
Canned tomatoes: 2 cups
Tomatoes: 4
Sliced jalapenos in brine: ¼ cup
Cumin powder: 1 tsp.
Paprika powder: 1 tsp.
Salt to taste

Ingredients for Wraps:

Tortilla: 4
Olive oil: 2-3 tbsps.

Ingredients to bake:

Blend of Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese: 1 cup or as required

Method:

i. Prepare the filling by heating olive oil in a pan.
ii. Fry finely chopped onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, red capsicum and corn for a couple of minutes.
iii. Add in baked beans along with the seasonings.
iv. Cover and cook till the veggies are well done and the filling is not runny.
v. For the sauce: Heat a pan with olive oil. Add finely chopped onions and fry them for a couple of minutes. Add canned tomatoes and finely diced tomatoes to the onions. Fry till oil separates. Add the jalapenos along with the brine and the rest of the seasoning. If the sauce is too dry add some water to get it to a thick saucy consistency.
vi. To prepare the wraps: warm up the corn tortillas on a skillet using some oil.
vii. Place the prepared tortillas on a plate. Spread the filling and wrap it up tightly.
viii. Place the wraps next to one another in a baking dish that is lined with parchment paper.
ix. Pour the sauce over the roll and sprinkle a generous amount of cheese over the sauce.
i. Bake covered at 180 degrees for about 10 minutes then uncover it and bake for another 10-15 minutes till the cheese melts and is oozy.

3. Dulce De Leche

Often called caramelised milk. End a sensational meal with the lip-smacking dessert.

Cook time: 90 minutes
Serves: 4
Type: Dessert

Ingredients:

Condensed milk: 400 grams

Method:

i. Pour the condensed milk into a flat bowl. Cover it with a foil.
ii. Place this bowl in a larger bowl and pour water in the larger bowl such that it covers a couple of inches of the flat bowl.
iii. Bake at 200 degrees for about 1 ½ hour. Cool and enjoy the decadent delight.

Mexican cuisine has been declared an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO and has won its place on the Indian palate. And though cooking it needs some preparation, it’s a cakewalk, we promise!