WHAT A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN FAMILY MEAL LOOKS LIKE?
When people think about Mexican food, they usually envision a dining table filled with tacos, burritos, and more. However, a Mexican meal is much more than that. Visit a Mexican family during lunch or dinner time and you will find something much deeper than the meals. A family meal is not just about eating. It is about being together. It is about tradition. It is about sharing stories, flavors, and love through food that has been passed down for generations. Mexican families take dinner very seriously. We put thought and of course love into the food that we serve. It is a daily ritual for us. All the members get together and we make sure that the food is prepared with the best quality ingredients the most important one being the warmth. Even if the day is long or busy, everyone is expected to be at the dinner table. With us Mexicans, no one eats alone. You will often see the table being full of laughs and giggles, or a fun story time. The aroma of spices fills the air.
Many traditional homes in Mexico still begin the meal with a bowl of soup. It is either a vegetable broth or a chicken soup. It’s delicious and the perfect starter, whichever way you choose. It is not just a starter for the food but also to start conversations and get things started for the dinner.
The star of the main meal is something that is cooked with care. There can be a beef stew or something that is cooked over many hours and just melts into your mouth. What is a Mexican table if there are no beans? Not just any beans will be served. The beans will be boiled, append, and served with the meal. On special occasions, they may also be fried. The rice is often flavored with tomato, garlic, and onion. Some families also serve grilled vegetables, fried plantains, or cacti on the side. Of course, tortillas are served with every bite. Whether made by hand or bought fresh that morning, they are used to scoop, fold, or mop up every last bit of flavor. No traditional table is complete without salsas. There might be two or three to choose from, each made from different types of peppers. One might be smoky and mild, another sharp and spicy. There could be chopped onions, cilantro, limes, and maybe a bit of quos fresco too. Everyone adds what they like. It is all about balance and personal taste.
The meal may end but the conversations do not. Everyone just sits for some time more and then helps clear the table and off we go to wash the dishes. Every family will make sure that the guests eat the best meal and this is exactly what we do at El Molcajete. Every meal served here is the one served back home. Come and become part of our family and we will make sure you leave with a stomach full of good food and a heart filled with love.