If you are wanting to cook authentic Mexican foods, then there are some special equipment that you may need. Mexican cooking can be done without some of the equipment, but you will never get the true Mexican flavor without these utensils.
A Cazuelas is a pottery dish that is used to simmer mole or other sauces. Clay disperses the heat very evenly and thus eliminates burnt spots. Usually shallow (five to seven inches deep) Cazuelas are round and bowl shaped. Handles make them easier to handle when using an open fire. Sometimes the outsides are painted in bright and beautiful colors and the insides are glazed. Clay imparts a great flavor to any dish.
The Olla or Barro are also clay pots from Mexico. They are very large and are used to slow cook beans, soups or stews. Heating is very even and ingredients can be cooked all day long on open flames. These pots will break, especially if exposed to extreme temperature changes.
A Comal griddle is a large griddle that is made of cast iron, aluminum or clay. It is usually round and can be used for warming tortillas or roasting chiles or other vegetables. They come in a variety of sizes from that of a large plate up to two feet across.
The Metate y Mano is a hand grinder that has been carved from lava rock or stone. We would call it a mortar and pestle. In Mexico, it is used for grinding corn or spices and foods may be mixed using the cylinder of stone. There are usually three legs that have been carved to hold the bowl upright.
Mexico's true mortar and pestle is called the Molcajete y Tejolote. It can be made out of clay, wood or stone. A cylinder of the same material that has been rounded on each end is used to crush the spaces or chilis to prepare them for cooking.
A Molinillo is a wooden stirrer which is used for frothing hot chocolate. To use this tool, hold the handle between your hands and move the hands back and forth to spin the tool rapidly.
A Tortillero or tortilla press can be made of wood, cast iron, plastic resin or aluminum. The aluminum presses break rather easily, so choose one of the other presses fro best result and to save money. Mesa is rolled into a ball and the ball is pressed flat into the shape of a tortilla. The tortilla is baked on a griddle before eating.
Traditional Mexican cooking is time consuming. We are fortunate today that we can come very close to the original without taking all the time. Additionally, you may find utensils in your kitchen that will work in preparing Mexican food.
Another shortcut is to find a good quality Mexican bakery in your hometown. They will supply you with very high quality tortillas (in corn or flour) that will prevent you from having to grind your own corn or press your own tortillas. Why not enjoy some Mexican food tonight.
A Cazuelas is a pottery dish that is used to simmer mole or other sauces. Clay disperses the heat very evenly and thus eliminates burnt spots. Usually shallow (five to seven inches deep) Cazuelas are round and bowl shaped. Handles make them easier to handle when using an open fire. Sometimes the outsides are painted in bright and beautiful colors and the insides are glazed. Clay imparts a great flavor to any dish.
The Olla or Barro are also clay pots from Mexico. They are very large and are used to slow cook beans, soups or stews. Heating is very even and ingredients can be cooked all day long on open flames. These pots will break, especially if exposed to extreme temperature changes.
A Comal griddle is a large griddle that is made of cast iron, aluminum or clay. It is usually round and can be used for warming tortillas or roasting chiles or other vegetables. They come in a variety of sizes from that of a large plate up to two feet across.
The Metate y Mano is a hand grinder that has been carved from lava rock or stone. We would call it a mortar and pestle. In Mexico, it is used for grinding corn or spices and foods may be mixed using the cylinder of stone. There are usually three legs that have been carved to hold the bowl upright.
Mexico's true mortar and pestle is called the Molcajete y Tejolote. It can be made out of clay, wood or stone. A cylinder of the same material that has been rounded on each end is used to crush the spaces or chilis to prepare them for cooking.
A Molinillo is a wooden stirrer which is used for frothing hot chocolate. To use this tool, hold the handle between your hands and move the hands back and forth to spin the tool rapidly.
A Tortillero or tortilla press can be made of wood, cast iron, plastic resin or aluminum. The aluminum presses break rather easily, so choose one of the other presses fro best result and to save money. Mesa is rolled into a ball and the ball is pressed flat into the shape of a tortilla. The tortilla is baked on a griddle before eating.
Traditional Mexican cooking is time consuming. We are fortunate today that we can come very close to the original without taking all the time. Additionally, you may find utensils in your kitchen that will work in preparing Mexican food.
Another shortcut is to find a good quality Mexican bakery in your hometown. They will supply you with very high quality tortillas (in corn or flour) that will prevent you from having to grind your own corn or press your own tortillas. Why not enjoy some Mexican food tonight.
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