People across North America love Mexican food. The quality and authenticity of the food varies a lot by the region and the restaurant in which it is served. A lot of food that North Americans consider to be Mexican food is actually Tex-Mex a type of Americanized Mexican food. An example of this type of food is nachos, a meal in which corn tortillas are covered with cheese, olives, green onions and various types of spiced meat. While delicious, this is not authentic Mexican food! Most Mexican dishes make use of the pre-Columbian ingredients widely available in Mexico then and today including corn, beans and peppers. Later introductions by the Spanish such as dairy and meat products now also feature prominently.

One popular dish found on many Mexican restaurant menus is ceviche. Often served as an appetizer or late-night snack, ceviche is a seafood dish that features various types of fish marinated in citrus juices. Additional seasonings include ají, a chili pepper, salt and chopped onions. It is also commonly served with corn, avocado and lettuce. This dish must be served as fresh as possible as the fish is served raw so it is best to consume it near water.

Carnitas literally means little meats. This dish originates in the Mexican state of Michoacán. To make carnitas one must boil pork for many hours in a heavy pot until it is soft and tender. The meat is combined with spices such as cilantro, salt, cumin and chilies. One way to prepare this meal is to mix it with onions, tomatoes and frijoles, or refried beans, before serving it with rice, tortillas or hardshell tacos.

Enchiladas come in a variety of flavors. The basic idea is to use a corn tortilla filled with varying ingredients and topped with a spicy tomato sauce. Similar dishes can be found all the way back in pre-Columbian Mexico. Common fillings include vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, seafood, beans and cheese. Owing to its spiciness, it is often served with sour cream to help with digestion.

Vancouver doesn’t have as many Mexican restaurants as one would find in cities with larger hispanic populations but we do have a few of note. Next time you are in the mood for Latin fare I recommend: El cuchillo located in Gastown or La taqueria on Cambie across from City Hall.