Mexican Appetizers

Mexican cuisine is known for its flavors, colorful decoration, and also the variety of spices and ingredients, which are native to the country. However, the spices and ingredients are now widely available. The staples used in this food are corn and beans.

Corn, as a matter of fact, is Mexico's staple grain, which is eaten fresh, on the cob or as a component of a number of dishes. Along with corn and beans, squash and peppers also have an important role to play in the cuisine. The spices and condiments often used are chili powder, jalapeño, cumin, oregano, cilantro, cinnamon, cocoa, with garlic and onions.

You will come across this recipe in a number of restaurants. It is easy to make and can be used with a variety of foods.
Ingredients

• Avocados, 4
• Vine ripened tomatoes, 2
• Whole Chili, 1 (canned)
• Yellow Onion, 2 tablespoons
• Salt and hot sauce to taste

Method

• Chop the avocados, tomatoes, chili, and onion finely.
• Combine the tomatoes, chili, and onion and continue to chop, till it represents a mash.
• In a bowl, place the avocados and tomatoes mixture and mash it with a potato masher.
• Once all the ingredients are well combined, add salt and hot sauce as per taste.

Salsa makes for a wonderful recipe and goes well with not only starters but the main course as well.
Ingredients

• Black-eyed peas, 1 can
• Black beans, 1 can (rinsed and drained)
• Whole kernel corn, 1 can
• Jalapeño peppers, 1 can (diced)

• Tomatoes, 1 can (diced)
• Mexican salad dressing, 1 cup
• Onion, ½ cup (chopped)
• Green bell pepper, ½ cup (chopped)
• Garlic salt ½ teaspoon

Method

• In a bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, onion, green bell pepper, jalapeño peppers, and tomatoes and mix well.
• Add the salad dressing to the bowl followed by garlic salt and mix well.

• Cover the bowl and leave it in the refrigerator overnight, so that the flavors blend well.
• If you do not have time, you need not refrigerate the salsa.

This dish is often on the menu for parties. The chicken is cooked to combine with cooked peppers and makes for a succulent delight, when mixed with melted cheese. The quesadillas are cut into wedges and served with sour cream and salsa.
Ingredients

• Chicken breast, 1 pound (skinless, boneless, diced)
• Flour Tortillas, 10
• Fajita seasoning, 1 packet

• Cheddar cheese, 8 ounces (shredded)
• Mozzarella cheese, 8 ounces (shredded)
• Green bell peppers, 2 (chopped)
• Red bell peppers, 2 (chopped)
• Onion, 1 (chopped)
• Vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon
• Bacon bits, 1 tablespoon

Method

• Preheat the broiler and grease the baking sheet.
• Toss chicken pieces with fajita seasoning and spread them on the baking sheet.
• Broil the chicken, till the pinkish color is not seen on the chicken pieces. This process can take about 5 to 10 minutes.

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, while you're doing the other preparations.
• Heat the oil in a sauce pan and stir in the green and red bell peppers, onion, and chicken.

• Cook and stir the vegetables till they soften, which takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Layer half of each tortilla with chicken and vegetable mixture, top it with cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and mozzarella cheese.

• Fold the tortillas in half over the filling and place it on the baking sheet.
• Bake the quesadillas in the preheated oven, till the cheese melts, for about 10 to 12 minutes.

To the mentioned recipes, you can make a number of changes. For example, if you are a vegetarian, you can add other vegetables instead of the chicken. At the same time, seasoning can also be changed as per your own liking.