What To Order In A Mexican Restaurant

If you tend to order the same items every time you visit a restaurant, you are really missing out! Some south of the border style eateries only offer the basics so if your local restaurant only has fajitas, tacos, quesadillas and burritos you would probably be better off finding a more traditional establishment or cooking your own authentic Mexican food recipes at home.

This cuisine blends the exotic with the simple, the spicy with the mild, and the nutritious with the flavorful. Millions of people love this exciting cuisine and you can find Mexican restaurants all over the globe, although they vary hugely in quality and authenticity.

You might find traditional dishes on the menu or it might be food which has been tailored to suit the western palate. A lot of the local food is very spicy, which is why some establishments tone down the piquant flavors. It is still worth trying some of the spicy dishes though, if your taste buds can bear it, just for the experience.

Because many people are unaware of the difference between Tex-Mex food and Mexican food (and in fact between junk food and traditional dishes), this cuisine is widely misunderstood. So what exactly should you hope to find on a good menu and what should you order?
Some Tasty Ideas

The menu will probably be based on meat, chicken, fish, and vegetarian dishes. There might also be soups and salads. Burritos feature on most Mexican restaurant menus and this meat, bean and vegetable mixture is tasty. You can order a fajita burrito if you want green bell pepper and onion instead of beans or a burrito bowl if you do not want a tortilla.

Try a side of pico de gallo if you like salsa. This is like a chunky salsa recipe and it is typically Mexican. You can usually get sour cream, shredded lettuce, and shredded cheese at no extra cost at Mexican eateries.

If you are familiar with burritos, fajitas and the usual dishes people order, why not try something different? Look out for chicken or turkey in mole sauce. Mole sauce is a mouthwatering savory chocolate sauce with a typical south of the border flavor.

Maybe you fancy a typical stew or soup recipe or even a layered salad. Trying new meals means you might stumble upon something amazing that you otherwise would not have found. You can ask the server for his or her recommendations and you might find out this way about some of the more unusual meals that you can choose from.

Secret Menu Items

Did you know that a lot of Latin restaurants in New York have "secret" items which are not listed on the menus? These are available by request and they are mainly to distinguish regular visitors from tourists.

These secret items might be special salads or taco fillings or they might be different sauces from what is listed on the menu. It is worth becoming a regular, once you find a good restaurant, so you can try different authentic Mexican food recipes each time you visit.

There is something for everyone with Mexican recipes because this cuisine is so varied. Eating out can be expensive though so the best way to sample plenty of delicious authentic Mexican recipes is to make your own at home.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food

Soul Food Restaurants - 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions

Soul food restaurants have a reputation of good food and plenty of it for a reasonable price. Of course the in my opinion the top soul food restaurants still live in the south. But as the competition gets hotter more upstarts are making a name for themselves in many northern, eastern and western locations. These new upstarts bring a new twist and a fresh angle to traditional southern cuisine never seen before. This has caused many questions in people minds who watch changes slowly take place in the industry.  I often get questions on the new trend of soul food eating establishments spreading across the country, I'll share them here with you.

1. Is old school soul food restaurants fading away?

Yes and no. If you're talking about the eatery that refuses to change in the way of ingredients they use such as lard or other animal fats. Or subject their customers to bad service and less than desirable cleaning practices, yes. That establishment is working on borrowed time. But the business that continues to look for healthier ways to cook their dishes while preserving the down-home taste of it's recipes as much as possible is here to stay.

2. What's up with the healthy trend?

This has been the edge that carried the tasty southern cuisine back. Long saddled with the reputation of being unhealthy because of the large amount of animal fat, salt and butter, soul has turned healthier leaf on life. Restaurants continue to turn to healthier ingredients, cooking methods and  seasoning techniques to offer a healthier end product to the customer.

3. What's the best way to choose a good soul food restaurant?

You can go by many ways. For example, time in business,  convenient location,  price. But the best way that has stood the test of time is word-of-mouth. A good place to eat will always leave clues. If it's real good people will talk ... If it's real bad people will talk.

Discover the top 20 Free Soul Food Recipes for this month chosen by readers - based on taste, easy preparation and low cost. Watch video cooking demonstrations - go to ... Soul Food Recipes

The Joy of Fast Food Restaurant Recipes

Love it or hate it, fast food is embedded in American dining culture. Fast food restaurants cater to our modern need for convenience, cheapness and a "no surprises" experience.

While it is fashionable to sneer at them, if pressed many of us would confess to really liking at least some of the menu items offered by the major chain fast-food restaurants. Most kids love those places, as you probably know if you have youngsters. Children wield a lot of influence with parents looking for a place to eat that will satisfy everyone in the family; hence the great effort on the part of fast food restaurants to market special meals and toys to the younger set.

The fact that half of the food ordered at fast food places now takes place via the drive-up window should tell you all you need to know about the success of this type of restaurant. We Americans practically live in our cars, so if we're eating a large part of our meals behind the wheel, you know this is one marriage (cars + food) that really will be "'til death do us part."

If you're one of those who resorts to this type of fare only grudgingly, or because the kids are bugging you for it, you might be surprised to learn that there are fast-food aficiandos among us who positively love fast food. Usually, they have one particular fast food chain that they adore, and one or two specific menu items that they crave several times a week.

If you happen to be one of these fast-food conoisseurs--or you know someone who is--the good news is that it's easy to obtain the recipe for that "gotta-have-it" menu item. You can then make the favored dish at home, saving you at least a few trips to the drive-through. (Of course, you'll miss out on having the burger or burrito or whatever come nicely enveloped in the restaurant's logo-printed wrapping paper, but you can't have everything.)

Recipes for many of the world's favorite fast-food items can be found by doing a web search for them. Or, you can purchase one of the books of "secret" restaurant recipes available in most of the big bookstores. Conveniently downloadable ebooks, filled with such recipes, are also readily to be found.

One tip: As the name implies, fast food tends to be eaten on the run. But if you decide to make your favorite fast-food meal at home, try slowing down and enjoying it at a more leisurely pace. "Slow fast food" -- now there's a concept.

Super Foods: Tuna Pita Melts | Submitted By: GLORI B.

6 (6-inch) pitas2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained2 tablespoons mayonnaise2 tablespoons dill pickle relish1/2 teaspoon dried dill1/4 teaspoon salt1 large tomato, sliced into thin wedges1 cup shredded Cheddar cheesePreheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the whole pita breads in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted. In a medium bowl, mix together the tuna, mayonnaise, relish, dill and salt. Spread an equal amount of the tuna mixture onto each of the pita breads. Arrange tomato wedges over the tuna, and sprinkle with shredded Cheddar cheese. Bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese has melted. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 362 | Total Fat: 12.5g | Cholesterol: 43mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 362

Total Fat: 12.5gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 661mgTotal Carbs: 35.2g    Dietary Fiber: 1.8gProtein: 25.8g VIEW DETAILED NUTRITION
About: Nutrition Info

 view all reviews »

Uh-oh, looks like no one has created a custom version of this recipe yet. Be the first to do it - make changes to this recipe now! 

View the original article here

Secrets to Famous Restaurant Recipes

Using the right quantities and combinations of herbs is one of the secrets to recreate some of the famous restaurant recipes. Chefs all across use different type of herbs to add unique flavor profile to their secret recipes. I will show you some of these herbs and explain how they could be used successfully.

Basil one of my favorites to use in soups or sauces through out the cooking process, it's a sweet delicate herb that when used fresh can brown easily, so make sure to include it in at the end of the cooking.

Rosemary's flavor is unmistakable, it's woody and its strong aroma can easily overpower a dish, make sure you use it sparingly and it goes well with basil at the start of cooking, you can throw the entire stem in soups or remove the stem and crush them with salt, pepper and olive oil and rub them on a roast. One great way to use it is to add it to your steak while pan searing it.

Dill is a sweet herb that can give you a light flavor to any famous restaurant recipe, take fish for example, finely chopping the dill to sprinkle on top of a salmon with lemon juice and baking it in the oven is a very simple recipe that highlights the dill and gives your fish the feeling of that secret recipe.

Ginger is a bit spicy with excellent healing powers to help reduce inflammation, used in cooking could easily overpower a dish, so use lightly. Fresh herbs are essential to add different layer of flavors and enhancing your dishes to make any average cook look like a chef. Using different combination and quantities of these herbs like top chefs due in their famous restaurant recipes is very easy to do and any one can learn.

Mike Daher enjoys cooking and entertaining friends and family.

http://www.famous-restaurantrecipes.com
http://famous-restaurantrecipes.com/2010/02/24/secrets-to-famous-restaurant-recipes

Healthy Side Dish Recipes: Terry's Texas Pinto Beans | Submitted By: Fooddude

1 pound dry pinto beans1 (29 ounce) can reduced sodium chicken broth1 large onion, chopped1 fresh jalapeno pepper, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1/2 cup green salsa1 teaspoon cumin1/2 teaspoon ground black pepperwater, if neededPlace the pinto beans in a large pot, and pour in the chicken broth. Stir in onion, jalapeno, garlic, salsa, cumin, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking 2 hours, stirring often, until beans are tender. Add water as needed to keep the beans moist. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 210 | Total Fat: 1.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg

 view all reviews »

View the original article here

The Unique Taste in Indian Food

Around the world, every person had a special thoughts regarding Indian food. This India food is so much interesting and sophisticated food in world wide. If you are very much savvy about food, then the Indian food is right choice for your. The flavor in India food is passionate and the spices are so rich. If you come from western part of globe or eastern part of the globe, no matter all kind of people are so much interested in India cuisine.

The India restaurants around the world are providing the delicious food recipes and tasting the world. If you want to prepare these foods, you must have all the local spices from the subcontinent. Some people around the Indian country are ordering their recipes from restaurants rather than making. Some times it is good, because preparing these recipes are hectic work to do. Especially preparing the ingredients for goof is quite a rough to do.

However, the truth is preparing Indian recipes are so easy when you compare with other countries recipes. For preparing Indian food you need not be an expert in recipes or big hardcore fan. The Indian spices will create your delicious food what you expected. You can find an alternate method for Indian passion of cooking every time.

In Indian cooking you will observe that basic ingredients are essential to prepare recipes, please make sure that you have all the basic ingredients with you while preparing this food. Red Onions are one of basic ingredients in Indian recipes. This ingredient will create exotic taste you food. And Ginger, Garlic and Green chilies are other basic ingredients. If you are interested about taste, you need to add some coriander leaves to the food. These important ingredients will give an enormous taste to the Indian recipes.

The main ingredient, red chili powder, is used as the strongest spice in preparations. And in some area around the country are using various spices like coriander seeds, cardamom and cumin seeds black pepper to add taste to the flavor.

Preparing the Indian food in your home is not a hectic issue, if you have these ingredients with you. You can plant these trees around you home.

Cooking your favorite indian food recipes has never been easier.for more details about south Indian food visit our website http://www.easy-indian-food.com.

Want to Make the Same Food That You Can Get at Your Favorite Restaurant?

Why would you want to make for yourself the same food that you eat at your favorite restaurant?

If you had the recipe for the food you eat at your favorite restaurant, why would you want to cook it yourself at home?

I can think of several reasons.

1. Maybe someone in the family has allergies to nuts. Lots of food from restaurants has some kind of nuts in it. You could make the same meal at home and substitute for something that your family could all eat - or leave out the ingredient for the person who is allergic.

2. Maybe you want to make the same recipe to impress your boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse. For a special occasion, cooking the meal yourself and having it be like the food you eat at your favorite restaurant would be quite an accomplishment and very flattering to your friend or family. Most everyone likes to be admired for something they can do well.

3. Another reason to make the same food you can get at your favorite restaurant is if you are away from home and you crave that specific meal. Suppose you are visiting someone and you are doing the cooking. Wouldn't it be great to be able to cook them something that you like to eat at your favorite restaurant? If it were one of your kids who has gone to college and you were able to make their favorite meal when you visited it would be quite a treat for them. Or your parents who had been to visit you and ate at your favorite restaurant and liked a certain food and you could now make that same meal for them back at their house across the country.

4. If you travel to the coast or the mountains for a retreat and there are not the same favorite restaurants in the more remote area, it would be fun to be able to cook that special meal while you were in a special setting.

Want to get your favorite recipes right now?!! Click this link:
http://favorite-restaurant-food.blogspot.com/

Healthy Breakfast Recipes: Pumpkin Pancakes | Submitted By: Ruth

2 cups all-purpose flour3 tablespoons brown sugar2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon ground allspice1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground ginger1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 cups milk1 cup pumpkin puree1 egg2 tablespoons vegetable oil2 tablespoons vinegarIn a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 278 | Total Fat: 7.2g | Cholesterol: 40mg

 view all reviews »

Reviewed on Nov. 17, 2007 by Nancy    Changed recipe for simplicity: 2 1/2 Cup Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix, 3 TBS brown sugar, 2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 egg, 1 3/4 cup milk, 2 TBS vegetable oil, 2 TBS vinegar, 1 cup pumpkin puree. These were fantastic! Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
752 users found this review helpful Changed recipe for simplicity: 2 1/2 Cup Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix, 3 TBS brown sugar,... Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2005 by mrcook    As an old pancake/waffle baker I was eager to try this recipe. I followed many suggestions in the reviews (2 eggs, 1 cup whole wheat PASTRY flour) and tweaked it even further. My daughter had just eaten at a trendy breakfast cafe in Ashland, Oregon and claimed these were even better...lighter, etc. Extra suggestions...add fresh nutmeg (1/2 t.), ground cloves (1 t.) increase cinnamon to 1 TABLESPOON and ground ginger to 2 teaspoons, brown sugar to 4 Tablespoons, ditto oil. Also increase leavening to 2 TABLESPOONS ( I use only Rumford's and NO baking soda at all). Finally, mix w. 1 plus cup of milk, let stand to absorb the dries and then add MORE milk to get that perfect pancake batter conistency. Works well as waffles, also. Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
167 users found this review helpful As an old pancake/waffle baker I was eager to try this recipe. I followed many suggestions in... 

View the original article here

Healthy Appetizers: Roasted Tomatillo and Garlic Salsa | Submitted By: LostInCA

1 pound fresh tomatillos, husks removed1 head garlic cloves, separated and peeled3 fresh jalapeno peppers1 bunch fresh cilantro1/2 cup water, or as neededsalt and pepper to tastePreheat the oven's broiler. Arrange the whole cloves of garlic, tomatillos, and jalapenos on a baking sheet. Place under the broiler, and cook for a few minutes. Remove garlic cloves first, as soon as they are toasted, to avoid developing a bitter flavor. Continue to roast jalapenos and tomatillos until evenly charred, turning occasionally. Set aside to cool. Don't remove the charred parts of the tomatillos or the peppers. They add a really nice flavor. Place peppers and tomatillos in a blender with the garlic and cilantro. Add a little water to the mixture if necessary to facilitate blending. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until serving. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 13 | Total Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 0mg

 view all reviews »

View the original article here

High-Fiber Recipes: Tomato-Mint Quinoa Salad | Submitted By: SunFlower

2 1/2 cups water1 1/4 cups quinoa1/3 cup raisins1 pinch salt2 medium tomatoes, diced1 medium onion, minced10 radishes, quartered1/2 cucumber, diced2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted1/4 cup chopped fresh mint2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley1 teaspoon ground cumin1/4 cup lime juice2 tablespoons sesame oilsalt to tasteBring water to boil in a small saucepan. Pour in quinoa, raisins, and a pinch of salt. Cover, and let simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, then remove from heat, and allow to cool to room temperature. Toss together the tomatoes, onion, radish, cucumber, and almonds in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled quinoa, then season with mint, parsley, cumin, lime juice, sesame oil, and salt. Chill 1 to 2 hours before serving. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 346 | Total Fat: 11.8g | Cholesterol: 0mg

 view all reviews »

Uh-oh, looks like no one has created a custom version of this recipe yet. Be the first to do it - make changes to this recipe now! 

View the original article here

Low-Fat Recipes: Vegetable Tom Yum Soup | Submitted By: trooworld

10 1/2 cups chicken stock12 thin slices galangal6 kaffir lime leaves3 stalks lemon grass, smashed and cut into 1 inch pieces3 tablespoons hot chile paste6 tablespoons fish sauce9 tablespoons fresh lime juice6 shallots, thinly sliced3 plum (Roma) tomatoes, chopped1 cup sliced button mushrooms1 1/2 cups thinly sliced bok choy1 cup thinly sliced carrot6 sprigs fresh cilantro, for garnish6 green onions, thinly slicedBring chicken stock, galangal, lime leaves, lemon grass, and hot chile paste to a boil in a large pot. Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, shallots, tomato, mushrooms, bok choy, and carrot. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and green onion before serving. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 119 | Total Fat: 2.4g | Cholesterol: 1mg

Uh-oh, looks like no one has created a custom version of this recipe yet. Be the first to do it - make changes to this recipe now! 

View the original article here

Sugar Substitute Recipes: Sugar Free Eggnog | Submitted By: Fran Willis

1 (1 ounce) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix5 cups nonfat milk1 packet aspartame sweetener1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 pinch ground nutmeg1 teaspoon rum flavored extractIn a large mixing bowl, mix together sugar free vanilla pudding mix, nonfat milk, sweetener, ground cinnamon, dash of nutmeg , and rum extract. Mix these very well with a wire whisk for at least 2 minutes. If this is too thick, add more milk and sweetener. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 108 | Total Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 5mg

 view all reviews »

Uh-oh, looks like no one has created a custom version of this recipe yet. Be the first to do it - make changes to this recipe now! 

View the original article here

Sugar-Free Recipes: Cheddar and Olive Balls | Submitted By: M. Hammond

18 1/2 ounces extra sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded1/2 cup butter, softened1/2 teaspoon paprika1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour45 pitted green olivesAllow cheese to sit out until it is at room temperature. In a large bowl, mix together the cheese, butter and paprika using a pastry blender. Gradually mix in flour, first using the pastry blender, then using your hands. Mix until the dough pulls together. It should form a solid ball with a smooth appearance, but have a crumbly texture when pulled apart. If dough appears too dry, add more shredded cheese. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Pinch off a small piece of dough, and cover an olive with it. Roll gently between your palms to smooth and seal the olive inside the ball. Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and repeat with remaining dough and olives. Place the tray of covered olives into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until browned. Serve hot or at room temperature. Amount Per Serving  Calories: 83 | Total Fat: 6.2g | Cholesterol: 18mg

 view all reviews »

View the original article here

Soul Food Recipes Update - Soul Food Recipes Adapting to Healthier Lifestyles

Soul food recipes continue to adapt to healthier consumer lifestyles. With the past reputation of high calories, salt and fat content, this tasty southern cuisine is taking on a consumer friendlier change. Now you'll find better cooking techniques, healthy ingredients and natural herbs and seasonings. To the delight of health professionals and medical experts, soul food cooking is lighter in calories, fat and salt than traditional recipes of the past.

Thanks to creative cooks, now a whole new industry continues to develop. Healthy soul food is now a fast growing industry with no end in sight. Restaurants are reworking their menus, manufacturers are developing new food products with less sodium, fat and calories. And book publishers are scrambling to publish books with health themes to meet the growing demand by consumers.

A new revolution is taking place with soul food recipes and the public is loving it. The biggest hurdle to these new changes have been keeping the recipes tasty, satisfying and flavorful. But with new cooking techniques, natural seasonings and herbs we've turned the corner and raised the bar and gave consumers the best of both world's. "But we continue to push forward and not rest on our laurels," admits one free soul food recipes publisher.

Here's examples of how soul food recipes are getting healthier for consumers.

Instead of using fat back and ham hocks to flavor vegetables such as collard greens, black eyed peas or cabbage, smoked turkey is used. By doing this over 50% less fat is consumed while still giving food the smoky robust flavor people love so much.

Instead of boiling collard greens or cabbage in large amounts of water for 1 to 2 hours and destroying nutrients and vitamins in the process. More cooks are stir frying these veggies. Stir frying has proven to save over 50% of food nutrients and vitamins. Instead of deep fat frying in fat. More meats are baked, roasted or pan fried. Thus, less fat content is absorbed in the meats. In addition, with roasting and baking much of the fat content is cooked out of the meats.

These are few examples of how soul food recipes are getting healthier. As more discoveries are made and techniques tested and developed, this trend is expected to continue far into the future. As the healthy eating demand continues to grow for consumers, the industry will continue to work to find ways to keep meeting the demand. Stay tuned!

Be sure to watch the Top 20 Soul Food Recipes on video chosen by readers this week. Go to... http://blackhomeownernews.com/soulfoodrecipes.html

The Simplest Italian Food Recipes

A lot of flavorsome Italian food recipes are available which you can easily prepare and serves to your guests. Why pay for a restaurant meal when you can make things really easily at home? These simple recipes are easy to prepare and lovely to serve. Try some of those listed below.

Chicken Marsala

One of the most popular Italian recipes made with wine is chicken Marsala. Based on Marsala wine, mixed with sherry wine, this is an exclusive and elegant recipe and is apposite for the most sophisticated events or official parties. It is easy to prepare, low fat by using skinless boneless chicken breasts and very little oil. It also contains fresh herbs, usually oregano. In this dish chicken is generally served on a bed of steamed rice along with steamed vegetables. A fantastic way to eat low fat food.

Shrimp Scampi

This recipe is also an excellent Italian dish usually loved by the local Italians. It is good with garlic and butter. Serve it with crusty bread to make it more attractive to the diners.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs is one of the most famous Italian recipes. The most significant cooking tip here is to use the best available ingredients. You can benefit from using the best ingredients as even the chopped tomatoes can really make this recipe more delicious. Moreover for making the meatballs you can choose beef or veal. The most appropriate is beef as it is more suitable to the sauce used as veal goes best with mild, delicate sauces.

Beef Carpaccio

This Italian dish is a restaurant-style starter that looks very smart but is actually really simple. It contains thin cuts of raw beef and is normally served as a starter or as an "antipasto". Beef Carpaccio was actually introduced in Harry's Bar in the Venice of 1950 and named after the Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio. From here it has become well-known across the whole globe. Certain recipe ingredients often utilized in this delicious dish for example, lemon wedges and arugula (or rocket) leaves make its taste extraordinary.

Kath Ibbetson has a BSc, a diploma in aromatherapy and a certificate in counseling. But most of all she is a mother and an enthusiastic Italian cook. Italian food is her passion and she has been cooking it for 30 years. Visit her site
FoodTheItalianWay.com