How To Prepare Quick Mexican-Inspired Meals for the New Cook
Mexican cuisine, a mix of traditional indigenous flavors, ancestral Mesoamerican cooking techniques, and Spanish influences, offers an abundance of options for quick meals. If you’re a new cook trying to learn the ropes, these speedy Mexican recipes will delight your taste buds while expanding your culinary skills.
1. Chicken Enchiladas
Enchiladas, a classic Mexican dish, are tortillas rolled around a filling, covered in chili sauce, and baked to perfection. For a quick version, use cooked, shredded chicken.
- Ingredients: 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 can green enchilada sauce, 8 corn tortillas, toppings like diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream.
- Procedure: Preheat oven to 375°F. Soak tortillas in enchilada sauce, fill with chicken and cheese, roll up, place in a dish. Pour remaining sauce, sprinkle cheese on top, bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
2. Mexican Chicken Fried Rice
This fried rice adds a Mexican twist using salsa, taco seasoning, and Mexican blend cheese.
- Ingredients: 2 cups cooked rice, 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, 1 cup salsa, 1 tsp taco seasoning, 1 cup Mexican cheese blend, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves
- Procedure: In a skillet, sauté chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic until tender. Add chicken, rice, salsa, and seasoning. Stir until evenly coated. Sprinkle cheese, cover the skillet to let the cheese melt.
3. Mexican Quinoa Salad
A healthy meal, this salad combines quinoa with veggies, and black beans for a protein punch. The lime and cilantro dressing provide fresh citrusy flavors.
- Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 can black beans, 1 red pepper, 1 cup corn, 1 small red onion, chopped cilantro for garnish
- Dressing: Juice of 2 limes, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, salt, and pepper
- Procedure: Mix all salad ingredients. Whisk dressing ingredients until emulsified. Pour on salad, toss until evenly dressed.
4. Quick Chicken Quesadillas
Ideal for busy weekday meal, quesadillas involve a cheese-filled tortilla crisped to perfection.
- Ingredients: 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper, 4 flour tortillas
- Procedure: Spread cheese, chicken, veggies on half the tortilla, fold over. Cook in a skillet on each side until browned and cheesy.
5. Quick Mexican Chiles Rellenos
Chiles Rellenos are charred peppers stuffed with cheese, covered in egg batter, and deep-fried. This quick version simplifies the process.
- Ingredients: 4 poblano peppers, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, oil for frying
- Procedure: Char peppers under the broiler, peel the skin. Make a slit, remove seeds, stuff with cheese. Dredge in flour, dip in beaten egg, and fry until golden brown.
6. Quick Mexican Fajitas
Fajitas are quick, easy, and customizable according to personal preference.
- Ingredients: 500g thinly sliced chicken, 2 bell peppers, 1 onion, 1 packet fajita seasoning, tortillas, and toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole
- Procedure: Sauté chicken in a skillet, add veggies, sprinkle seasoning. Stir until cooked. Serve on tortillas with preferred toppings.
7. Fast Mexican Beef Tacos
No meal is as quintessentially Mexican and quick to prepare as tacos.
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 can crushed tomatoes, crispy taco shells
- Procedure: Brown beef in a pan, add onions, spices, cook. Stir in tomatoes, simmer till flavors combine. Fill the shells with meat, topping as desired.
8. Quick Mexican Refried Beans
This vegetarian meal is filling, and pairs nicely with rice or tortillas.
- Ingredients: 1 can pinto beans, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp cumin, paprika, salt
- Procedure: Sauté onion, garlic in oil, add spices, beans. Mash lightly, cook until heated through.
9. Easy Mexican Corn on the Cob (Elote)
Elote, a popular street food, is corn on the cob spread with mayo, dredged in cheese, and sprinkled with chili powder.
- Ingredients: 4 corn on the cob, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup grated cotija cheese, chili powder, 1 lime
- Procedure: Grill corn, spread with mayo, roll in cheese, sprinkle chili powder, and a squirt of lime juice.
10. Speedy Churros
End your Mexican meal with a quick version of churros, a sweet treat that is surprisingly easy to make.
- Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 cup flour, oil for frying, extra sugar and cinnamon for coating
- Procedure: Heat water, butter, sugar in a pan. Add flour, stir until combined. Pipe into churro shapes, fry till golden brown. Roll in cinnamon sugar.
Mexican cuisine is an adventure of flavors. These quick Mexican-inspired meals help new cooks create delicious dishes without much time or skill. Whether it’s a hearty salad or a plate of churros, Mexican food has something for everyone. And remember, a key ingredient in any meal you prepare is a splash of love and sprinkle of joy. Savor the process and enjoy your culinary journey. Happy cooking!
