Website privacy policy

Southwest Food

The Southwest region of the United States is an area comprised of a perfect fusion of Native American, Mexican, and Spanish cultures.  Even contemporary Southwestern cuisine is deeply rooted in these cultures' traditions, offering food lovers a uniquely perfect mix of bold spices and mild ingredients.  

The Heritage of the Southwest

In the Southwestern United States, typical ingredients used in native dishes include chillies, corn, tomato, squash, beans, and avocados.  Spanish settlers of this region adapted the various farming techniques original to the Navajos, Aztecs, and other Native American tribes and eventually, the settlers included cattle and pigs into their typical diets.   There are quite a few Southwestern dishes credited to the Spanish settlers of this area.  For instance, the Spanish were responsible for the classic and tasty red- wine/fresh fruit combo beverage known as Sangria that originally came from their wine grape plants.  Meat-laden dishes and thick stews are staples of South-western cuisine.  Some parts of the South-west included roasts, hearty soups, and crock pot meals made from the freshwater fish and wild game hunted by the natives.

Southwestern Styles

South-western cuisine as a whole encompasses a wide scope consisting of many regional traditions.  Some examples of subdivided Southwest food include Cal-Mex, Tex-Mex, Sonoran Style, and New Mexican Style.  The popularity of Southwestern dishes began to climb after the closing of the infamous Mexican-American War.  Ever since it reached the national level, it has even influenced the tastes of Americans everywhere. Out of all the different South-western cooking styles, the most popular is Tex-Mex.  This type of food meshes common ingredients found in both traditional American and Mexican meals and places a heavy emphasis on melted cheese, beef, spices, tortillas, and beans to create well-known dishes like fajitas and chili con queso.  Another style of cuisine is the New-Mexican.  This style was developed in Mexico before the country succumbed to US acquisition.  In many dishes, green chilies are utilized, giving the New-Mexican style a unique flavor. 

The Popular Southwestern Ingredient -- Chilies

When it comes to South western US food, it is all about heat, spice, and flavor, which is why native chefs embrace chilies in almost every dish they create.  There are more than 200 varieties of chillies currently known and all have been used in Southwestern meals for several thousand years.  The potency of a chili can range from mild to overwhelmingly hot, depending on the type.  Despite the popular belief, a chili's color is not a determinant of its spicy factor.  It is in actuality the capsicum, which is located inside of the chili and contains the its ribs and seeds.  It is common practice to remove the capsicum in order to reduce a powerful chili's heat.  

Broad Yet Distinctive

The cuisine of the Southwest is inspired by a variety of diverse cultures and although it encompasses such as broad scope, the many regional styles give this regional food distinctive character that is an extension of each Southwestern culture.  It is its combination of colors, flavors, smells, and spices that give Southwestern food a particularly interesting and satisfying flair.
The Canyon -café read more.. read more.. read more.. read more.. read more.. read more.. read more.. read more..

The Versatile

Mexican Food -

Empanadas

Empanada is a word, which means "wrapped in bread" in Spanish and these delicious little pastries are made by wrapping a round dough pastry in half over a filling to make a semicircle. Empanadas make tasty snacks at any time of the day and are popular throughout Latin America as well as in Spain.  

Looking Into

Mexican Food

History

Historically, Mexican food is one of the most loved cuisines amongst American eaters all over the U.S. and has spread to other countries as well. Of course, depending on the amount of heat or fats in a particular Mexican dish, it may cause a problem for some of the more delicate digestive tracts. And that brings us to the point of healthy eating and Mexican food.

Austin Tex Mex:

Seven

Restaurants that Can't be

Missed

Tex Mex cuisine is something that can't be missed if you're visiting Austin. If you live in this diverse and exciting city, you've probably found some great spots to enjoy this unique form of cuisine. For those not in the know, Tex Mex food takes the best of Mexican food with the best of Southern-American food for a tasty blend of flavors.

Eating out - first

impressions

First impressions count and anyone choosing to eat out will invariably judge a restaurant as much on its appearance as its menu or prices. Bistro and café owners in particular must ensure a décor and building fabric that is both warm and inviting to casual passers by.
© The Canyon-cafe The Canyon-café

Southwest Food

The Southwest region of the United States is an area comprised of a perfect fusion of Native American, Mexican, and Spanish cultures.  Even contemporary Southwestern cuisine is deeply rooted in these cultures' traditions, offering food lovers a uniquely perfect mix of bold spices and mild ingredients.  

The Heritage of the Southwest

In the Southwestern United States, typical ingredients used in native dishes include chillies, corn, tomato, squash, beans, and avocados.  Spanish settlers of this region adapted the various farming techniques original to the Navajos, Aztecs, and other Native American tribes and eventually, the settlers included cattle and pigs into their typical diets.   There are quite a few Southwestern dishes credited to the Spanish settlers of this area.  For instance, the Spanish were responsible for the classic and tasty red-wine/fresh fruit combo beverage known as Sangria that originally came from their wine grape plants.  Meat-laden dishes and thick stews are staples of South-western cuisine.  Some parts of the South-west included roasts, hearty soups, and crock pot meals made from the freshwater fish and wild game hunted by the natives.

Southwestern Styles

South-western cuisine as a whole encompasses a wide scope consisting of many regional traditions.  Some examples of subdivided Southwest food include Cal-Mex, Tex-Mex, Sonoran Style, and New Mexican Style.  The popularity of Southwestern dishes began to climb after the closing of the infamous Mexican- American War.  Ever since it reached the national level, it has even influenced the tastes of Americans everywhere. Out of all the different South-western cooking styles, the most popular is Tex-Mex.  This type of food meshes common ingredients found in both traditional American and Mexican meals and places a heavy emphasis on melted cheese, beef, spices, tortillas, and beans to create well-known dishes like fajitas and chili con queso.  Another style of cuisine is the New-Mexican.  This style was developed in Mexico before the country succumbed to US acquisition.  In many dishes, green chilies are utilized, giving the New-Mexican style a unique flavor. 

The Popular Southwestern Ingredient --

Chilies

When it comes to South western US food, it is all about heat, spice, and flavor, which is why native chefs embrace chilies in almost every dish they create.  There are more than 200 varieties of chillies currently known and all have been used in Southwestern meals for several thousand years.  The potency of a chili can range from mild to overwhelmingly hot, depending on the type.  Despite the popular belief, a chili's color is not a determinant of its spicy factor.  It is in actuality the capsicum, which is located inside of the chili and contains the its ribs and seeds.  It is common practice to remove the capsicum in order to reduce a powerful chili's heat.  

Broad Yet Distinctive

The cuisine of the Southwest is inspired by a variety of diverse cultures and although it encompasses such as broad scope, the many regional styles give this regional food distinctive character that is an extension of each Southwestern culture.  It is its combination of colors, flavors, smells, and spices that give Southwestern food a particularly interesting and satisfying flair.
Empanadas