Mexican cuisine is simple, rugged and packed with flavor. Most of the authentic Mexican dishes found in Mexico today are not that much different than they were a few hundred years ago, or even a thousand years ago. The same modest ingredients are still used, items that have grown on the land for countless generations. Certain cultural influences have been imposed over the history of the country, such as those from the Spanish and French, but the impact has on Mexican dishes has been subtle. Aztec, Mayan and Mesoamerican Indian flavors still dominate the palate.
Tlayuda is no exception. It begins with the ancient tortilla, a corn or wheat flatbread originating with the Mesoamerican peoples. After being slightly fried or toasted, the tortilla has a layer of refried beans spread over it. Then a thin layer of asiento, or unrefined pork lard. Then a few leaves of lettuce or cabbage, avocado, Oaxaca cheese and salsa. Meat is also a part of the topping list, and can include shredded chicken or beef tenderloin or the traditional pork chorizo. Most of the time Tlayuda is served open-faced, however some homes prefer to fold the tortilla in half.
If you properly visualized the construction of the Tlayuda, it may have reminded you of a pizza. It is in fact a lot like the common Italian-American pizza served thousands of times each day in the US. The crust is not thick and bread-like, it is a tortilla. There is no tomato sauce, just a bit of salsa added as one of the final layers. In fact, the use of cheese and leaving the Tlayuda open-faced are about the only similarities to pizza.
Each region of Mexico has a slightly different version of Tlayuda. Some use more chili spice, while others opt for adding roasted grasshoppers. Like the North American adaptation of the pizza, the Tlayuda is found with ingredients to please any palate or indeed any income level. It is not unusual to see Tlayudas offered at fine restaurants in Mexico and a few blocks down at a street vendor. One variation offers the Tlayuda folded in half and topped with spicy grilled skirt steak.
Whichever area of Mexico you travel to, make a sincere effort to sample the traditional cuisine. With such simple ingredients and cooking methods, it would easy to duplicate the dishes at home. Impress your family and friends with a Mexico themed evening, using all the knowledge gained from your vacation.
Tlayuda is no exception. It begins with the ancient tortilla, a corn or wheat flatbread originating with the Mesoamerican peoples. After being slightly fried or toasted, the tortilla has a layer of refried beans spread over it. Then a thin layer of asiento, or unrefined pork lard. Then a few leaves of lettuce or cabbage, avocado, Oaxaca cheese and salsa. Meat is also a part of the topping list, and can include shredded chicken or beef tenderloin or the traditional pork chorizo. Most of the time Tlayuda is served open-faced, however some homes prefer to fold the tortilla in half.
If you properly visualized the construction of the Tlayuda, it may have reminded you of a pizza. It is in fact a lot like the common Italian-American pizza served thousands of times each day in the US. The crust is not thick and bread-like, it is a tortilla. There is no tomato sauce, just a bit of salsa added as one of the final layers. In fact, the use of cheese and leaving the Tlayuda open-faced are about the only similarities to pizza.
Each region of Mexico has a slightly different version of Tlayuda. Some use more chili spice, while others opt for adding roasted grasshoppers. Like the North American adaptation of the pizza, the Tlayuda is found with ingredients to please any palate or indeed any income level. It is not unusual to see Tlayudas offered at fine restaurants in Mexico and a few blocks down at a street vendor. One variation offers the Tlayuda folded in half and topped with spicy grilled skirt steak.
Whichever area of Mexico you travel to, make a sincere effort to sample the traditional cuisine. With such simple ingredients and cooking methods, it would easy to duplicate the dishes at home. Impress your family and friends with a Mexico themed evening, using all the knowledge gained from your vacation.
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