There’s real Mexican food, and then the American hybrid, "Tex-Mex," the cheesy stuff you grew up eating, the rolled, folded and fried things you order in sports bars, pubs and "Mexican" restaurants around the country. And while the style isn’t authentic, it certainly has its appeal.
Tacos
A taco is a corn tortilla filled with meat, vegetables and cheese. The old-school Tex-Mex style uses a hard, fried tortilla, but soft tacos are gaining in popularity.
Tostadas
These are made from corn or flour tortillas, only they are flat and always crispy. The flat tortilla is then covered with beans, cheese, meat and vegetables.
Burritos
Big flour tortillas that usually are briefly grilled, then topped with meat, beans, vegetable and cheese and rolled into logs are a popular way to get a Tex-Mex fix.
Enchiladas
Enchiladas are corn tortillas filled with meat, beans and vegetables, but they’re really vehicles for the consumption of sauce — red chile sauce, green chile sauce, mole. A plate of enchiladas is a good excuse to eat sauce.
Guacamole
Nearly everybody has a favorite guacamole recipe. Sometimes they are as simple as mashed avocados mixed with bottled salsa. Others recipes are elaborate, containing sour cream, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime juice and more. Either way, it’s usually the first thing you run out of at any party.
Simple Salsas
Although grocery stores offer a plethora of choices these days, making your own salsa is simple and a great way to showcase peak-season produce. Serve these as part of your Tex-Mex dish or just with chips – they're always a hit.
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