La Cocina de Mexico - The Mexican Kitchen

Mexico has a very diverse cuisine culture. All regions serve up there own specialties from Mole Poblano in Puebla to Huevos Rancheros in Sonora to Cochinita Pibil in Yucatan. Below you'll find a list of basic items you may see on a menu or in a grocery store or you may browse through specialty dishes or learn traditional recipes from all areas of Mexico. Remember just because you've had a taco or enchilada doesn't mean you've experienced Mexican food, it only means you've scratched the surface of this countries traditional, culinary delights.

First let's begin with the basics; Carnes (meats), Pescado (fish) & Mariscos (shellfish), Legumbres (vegetables), Frutas (fruits) & Nueces (nuts), Bebidas (drinks), Especias (spices) & Condimentos (condiments), Postres (desserts) & Dulces (sweets).

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Carnes

Fresh meat counter at a small restaurant in Acapulco Cabra: Goat Carne de Res: Beef Carnero: Lamb Hígado: Liver Jamón: Ham Lengua: Tongue Pavo: Turkey Pato: Duck Pollo: Chicken Puerco: Pork Salchicha: Sausage Ternera: Veal Tocino: Bacon (sometimes salted pork)

Pescado y Mariscos

The fish market in Ensenada, Baja California Abulón: Abalone Atún: Tuna Cabrilla: Sea Bass Calamar Squid Callos: Scallops Camarones: Shrimp Almejas: Clams Cangrejo or Jaiba: Crab Jurel: Yellowtail Pargo: Snapper Huachinango: Red Snapper Langosta: Lobster Ostiones: Oysters Pez Espada: Swordfish Tiburón: Shark Lenguado: Flounder or Sole

Legumbres

Bulk chilis at this shop in La Paz, Baja California Sur Aceitunas: Olives Apio: Celery Arroz: Rice Betabeles: Beets Calabazas: Pumpkins or Squash Camotes: Sweet Potatoes Cebolla: Onion Cebollita: Green Onion Chícharos: Peas Champioñes: Mushrooms Ejotes: String Beans Elote: Corn on the Cob Ensalada: Salad Frijoles: Beans (cooked) Lechuga: Lettuce Maiz: Corn off the Cob Nopales: young Prickly Pear Cactus leaves Pepino: Cucumber Papas: Potatoes Rábano: Radish Repollo: Cabbage Tomate: Tomato Zanahoria: Carrot

Frutas y Nueces

Fresh vegetables in this modern store in Cancun Aguacate: Avocado Cacahuates: Peanuts Coco: Coconut Duraznos: Peaches Fresas: Strawberries Guayaba: Guava Higo: Fig Limón: Lime or Lemon Manzana: Apple Melón: Melon Naranja: Orange Nuez de Castilla: Walnuts Piña: Pineapple Plátano: Banana Sandía: Watermelon Toronja: Grapefruit Uvas: Grapes

Bebidas

Drinks served with a smile in Playa del Carmen Agua: Water Aguardiente: Brandy Cafe: Coffee Cerveza: Beer Crema: Cream Ginebra:: Gin Jugo de Naranja: Orange Juice Leche: Milk Refrescos: Soft Drinks Ron: Rum Té Caliente: Hot Tea Té Helado: Iced Tea Vino Blanco: White Wine Vino de Champaña: Champagne Vino Rosado: Rose Wine Vino Tinto: Red Wine

Especias y Condimentos

Ajo: Garlic Azucar: Sugar Canela: Cinnamon Cilantro: Fresh, Green Coriander Mantequilla: Butter Mayonesa: Mayonaise Miél: Honey Mostaza: Mustard Parejíl: Parsley Pimienta: Pepper Sal: Salt Vainilla: Vanilla

Postres y Dulces

Ice cream shop in San Jose del Cabo Bolillos: French-style Rolls Flan: Custard Galletas: Cookies Helado: Ice Cream Paleta: Flavored Ice on a Stick Pan Dulce: Sweet Bread Pastel: Cake Pay: Pie

Other Foods

Avena: Oatmeal Caldo: Broth Fideos: Noodles Huevos: Eggs Pan: Bread Queso: Cheese Sopa: Soup