Tex-Mex is a special type of food that originated in Texas. Tex-Mex food is a combination of American and Mexican cultures. In simple words, Tex-Mex food is a fusion of American and Mexican foods.
Tex-Mex food is famous for its bold flavors and unique ingredients such as cumin, cheese, and chili peppers. The ingredients that are used in Tex-Mex food are not found in Mexican food like black beans, canned vegetables and ground beef. These ingredients are usually used in Mexican food.
Tex Mex food is very famous in the United States of America and there are many Tex-Mex restaurants in each state. Tex Mex food is also available in Mexican restaurants.
Common and famous Tex Mex food include fajitas, nachos, chili con carne, and enchiladas.
In this article, we will discuss the healthiest Tex Mex food are that very famous and available in American and Mexican restaurants.
Key Ingredients Used in Tex-Mex Food
Here are some of the key ingredients that are used in Tex-Mex cuisine:
The key ingredients that are used in Tex Mex food include:
Chili peppers: these are the main ingredients used in Tex Mex food. They add bold flavor and unique taste to the tex mex food.
Cumin: another ingredient that is commonly used in Tex Mex food is cumin. It offers an earthy flavor to the Tex-Mex food.
Cheese: it is another commonly used ingredient in Tex-Mex cuisines. It adds a creamy texture to the Tex-Mex dishes.
Beans: Beans are the main ingredients of Tex Mex cuisines and they add captivating texture and healthy flavor to the Tex Mex food.
Tortilla: Tortilla is a flatbread and is considered a staple of Tex-Mex food. They are used to make many Tex Mex foods such as burritos, tacos, and enchiladas.
Healthy Tex-Mex Food Recipes Tips
Tex Mex food is a very delicious and flavorful cuisine that is enjoyed by all the people of the United States of America. But usually, they are not healthy for heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, Kidney diseases and other lethal ailments. Because they are high in fat, sodium and calories.
To make Tex Mex food healthier apply the following tips during Tex Mex recipes.
Select healthy ingredients
When you are preparing Tex Mex food at home or in restaurants, always select healthier ingredients such as beans, vegetables, whole grains, and meat. Avoid high-fat cheese, unhealthy sauces and processed meats.
Cook Tex-Mex food in a healthy way
Cooking ways can also make food healthy and unhealthy. Always try to use these methods of cooking such as baking, steaming or grilling instead of frying your food.
Stop overeating
Always try to portion you food correctly. When you are in a Mexican restaurant and enjoying Tex-Mex food try to order food in a small quantity. This will avoid you from overeating.
Healthiest Tex-Mex Food
The most popular and healthy tex mex food include:
Enchiladas
Enchiladas is Tex Mex food consisting of a corn tortilla that is filled with a variety of ingredients such as beans, meat, vegetable, potatoes, and cheese.
They are covered in a savory sauce such as chili sauce or salsa sauce and then baked in the oven.
Fajitas
Fajitas term referred to skirt steak. Fajitas is a tex mex food consisting of grilled meat such as steak or chicken which is usually served with beans, rice tortillas and salsa.
In Mexican restaurant, the meat is first grilled and then cooked with bell peppers bell peppers, and onions. Popular condiments that are used in fajitas include sour cream, salsa, guacamole, de gallo, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, refried beans and shredded cheese.
Nachos
Nachos are very popular tex mex food that consists of tortilla chips or totopos covered with cheese or cheese sauce. Some other ingredients are also added as a topping such as beans, meat, salsa, and guacamole.
Usually, tortilla chips are placed on a platter in a proper sequence. Then meat, refried beans and shredded cream are added on tortilla chips as a topping. The entire platter is then placed in the oven for cooking.
Chili con carne
The word chili con carne means “chili with meat” or “spicy meat”. Chili con carne is a very famous tex mex food consisting of meat, kidney beans or pinto beans, chili peppers and tomatoes. Other ingredients such as garlic, cumin and onions are also added in Mexican restaurants.
Grilled Fish Tacos
Between the fish tacos, grilled tacos are healthier than fried fish tacos. Grilled fish tacos have a smoky flavor and low-calorie count. If you are health conscious always load your taco with grilled fish, avocado slices, fresh salsa and a squeeze of lime.
In Mexican restaurant low calorie, grilled fish tacos are available.
Veggie Fajitas
If you are vegetarian and would like to taste tex mex food then veggie fajitas is a great and healthy option for you. Veggie fajitas are a great way to fulfill the daily requirement of vegetables.
Veggie fajitas are consisting of grilled bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and onions. Then they are served with whole wheat tortillas and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Usually, chicken enchilada boats are low in carbs and have a low-calorie count. They are an alternative to traditional enchiladas. To prepare these boats, make holes in some zucchini and stuff them with black beans, shredded chicken, corn, and a tangy enchilada sauce. Then top them with a sprinkle of reduced-fat cheese and cooked them in the microwave until the zucchini becomes tender.
Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp Ceviche is a special type Tex Mex food and the best option for seafood lovers. It is prepared by marinating shrimp in lime juice, toss with sliced onions, cilantro, jalapenos and tomatoes. Then it is chilled in the refrigerator. The acid of lime juice preserves the texture of shrimp ceviche. Serve the Shrimp Ceviche with whole tortilla chips. Normally Shrimp Ceviche is used as a satisfying snack.
Black Bean and Quinoa Salad
This type of salad is a very healthy and very popular option for vegetarians who like Tex Mex food. It is prepared by coming protein-rich quinoa, fiber-rich beans, sliced red onions, cilantro and tomatoes.
Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These wraps are very healthy and people eat them as a light snack. They are prepared by wrapping flavorful chipotle chicken, corn, diced avocado and black beans in crispy lettuce leaves.
Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas
Roasted vegetable Quesadillas is also healthy Tex Mex food and are available in all Tex-Mex restaurants. You can also prepare them at home by wrapping roasted vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini and sweet potatoes in wheat tortillas. Sprinkle reduced-fat cheese and grill them until they become crispy.
Avocado Salsa
Avocado salsa is a great way to add healthy fat and other important nutrients to your diet. Avocado Salsa is prepared by mashing ripe avocados with sliced onions, tomatoes, lime juice and cilantro. It is usually served with tortilla chips.
Summary
Tex Mex food is a combination of Texan and Mexican dishes that is famous for its taste, bold flavor and hearty potions. Not all tex mex foods are healthy but to make them healthier always try to use lean meat, reduced fat cheese, whole wheat tortillas and vegetables.
Common healthy tex mex food include veggie fajitas, grilled fish tacos, avocado salsa, and black bean and quinoa salad. By following the cooking tips you can convert unhealthy tex mex food into healthy tex mex food.
FAQ
Q1. What does Tex-Mex mean?
Ans. The term Tex Mex refers to the combination of Mexican and Texan dishes. Tex Mex food combines the ingredients, and cooking techniques of both regions to make a unique culinary style. Tex-Mex food has got a tremendous reputation in the USA.
Q2. Why is it called Tex-Mex?
Ans. Tex-Mex is the combination of two words “Texan” and Mexican”. Tex Mex food is the fusion of both Texan and Mexican cuisine that’s why it is called Tex-Mex. Tex Mex food represents the cultures of both Mexicans and the United States.
Q3. What is the difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican?
Ans. Tex Mex food is the fusion of both Texan and Mexican cuisines while Mexican food is the dish of Mexico. Mexican food is famous for its fresh ingredients and captivating flavors while tex mex food is known for its bold flavors and healthy portions. Some of the key differences between Mexican food and Tex-Mex food include:
- Tex Mex food uses ingredients that are not native to Mexico such as cheddar cheese, ground beef, and sour cream while Mexican food uses traditional Mexican ingredients such as chili peppers, tomatoes, rice, beans, fresh herbs and corn.
- Tex-Mex food is famous for its bold flavor while Mexican food is known for its subtle flavors.
- Tex-Mex food is known for its hearty portions while Mexican cuisine is famous for its moderate portions.
Q4. What are Tex-Mex types?
Ans. There are many types of Tex-Mex food and each food reflects the fusion of Mexican and Texan culinary traditions. The most common types of Tex-Mex food include, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, nachos, tamales, chili con carne and chiles rellenos. Each of tex mex food has a unique texture, flavor, and cooking technique.
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