Delving into the comparability of Mexican to Americanized dishes

Abstract

Many Americans are familiar with Mexican food, or what they understand to be Mexican food. Much of Mexican food consumed within the United States has ties to Tex-Mex, rather Mexico. Although Tex-Mex does have its history with Mexico, dishes, ingredients, and techniques are contrastingly different. These presumptions may lead people to believe they are eating "authentic Mexican cuisine", when they are not. In order to gain a better understand on Mexican cuisine, I have prepared three dishes popular to Mexico. Each dish offers different significance to Mexico, from the context the dish is consumed to the ingredients needed to prepare it. As I created each food, I documented the process along the way. All dishes are compared to a popular Tex-Mex food, which most Americans should know. In addition, I have explored the backgrounds and history behind the three selected items. As you read about the three dishes I have selected, I challenge you think about your preconceptions about Mexican food and compare it to the items I have written about.