Unit 11: ECR

Tasty Tex-Mex

1 Burritos. Nachos. Enchiladas. Fajitas. Churros. Most people think these are delicious Mexican foods. But what we have come to recognize as “Mexican” food in the United States is very different from traditional food prepared in Mexico. Fast food and casual dining restaurants across America that serve these foods are best described as Tex-Mex. And yes, they are also described as delicioso!

Origins

2 When America was still young, settlers traveled to Texas, which was a part of Mexico. They enjoyed the foods and experienced the culture of Mexico. People began to adapt some of the foods to their liking. They used ingredients like beef and wheat. Over time, Mexican restaurant owners in Texas also adapted their menu to the preferences of their customers. What resulted was Tex-Mex.

3 One key fact to remember is that Mexico is a large country. Every region has its food specialties. Areas near the ocean specialize in seafood. Other regions use pork and chicken in their recipes. It is important to remember that we often consider Tex-Mex to be “Mexican” food. But Tex-Mex does not reflect the variety of foods available in Mexico.

Differences

4 The best way to distinguish Tex-Mex from true Mexican food is by the ingredients. The spices used in the two cuisines are different. Two common spices used in Tex-Mex food are chili pepper and cumin. Common spices used in Mexico are oregano, parsley, and coriander. Another noticeable difference is the type of meat used. Many Tex-Mex dishes use ground beef. Beef is rarely ever used in Mexican cuisine. Pork or chicken are the more common meats. A third difference is the type of cheese used. A generous amount of cheddar cheese is melted or sprinkled on most Tex-Mex dishes. Authentic Mexican food uses a variety of cheeses, such as queso blanco (white cheese) and queso fresco (fresh cheese).

5 Other differences between Tex-Mex favorites and traditional foods from Mexico:

• Burritos—Tex-Mex burritos are flour tortillas filled with meat, beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, and other vegetables. Authentic Mexican burritos, however, contain mostly meat. \
• Enchiladas—Tex-Mex enchiladas use tortillas filled with cheese or meat. They are covered with a red chili sauce and cheddar cheese and baked until the cheese is melted. Enchiladas in Mexico are much simpler. The tortillas are smothered in a green sauce or mole (sauce made from chiles and cacao) and white cheese. These enchiladas are not baked.
• Desserts—Perhaps the favorite Tex-Mex dessert is the churro. This deep-fried, doughy treat that is rolled in cinnamon sugar actually comes from China! Typical desserts found in Mexico are paletas, which are popsicles made with fresh fruit. Another dessert is flan, which is a creamy custard topped with caramel.

Essential Tex-Mex Foods 6 There are many other Tex-Mex dishes that Americans enjoy at “Mexican” restaurants. Nachos, tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, are always a favorite. Chili con carne is another popular dish. This stew combines beef, beans, spices, and chili peppers. Many people also enjoy fajitas, a word that comes from the Spanish word faja, which means “strip.” Strips of meat and vegetables are wrapped in warm tortillas when enjoying this meal. Other Tex-Mex favorites are queso, a warm spicy cheese dip, and chimichangas, deep-fried burritos.

7 Is anyone hungry yet? The next time you order a meal at your favorite “Mexican” restaurant, take a closer look at the ingredients. Consider what you have learned about Tex-Mex ingredients and traditional Mexican ingredients. Then, ask yourself the question, “Is my meal Tex-Mex or Mexican?” No matter what you determine, one thing is certain—Texans do love the food inspired by their neighbors to the south!

Read the article "Tasty Tex-Mex.” Based on the information in the selection, write a response to the following:

Explain how the organizational pattern of the selection helps the reader understand the development of Tex-Mex food.Write a well-organized informational essay that uses specific evidence from the selection to support your answer.

Remember to — *clearly state your claim *organize your writing? *develop your ideas in detail? *use evidence from both selections in your response? *use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar?

Manage your time carefully so that you can — *review the selections *plan your response *write your response *revise and edit your response

Write your response in the box provided.