| Daily access to authentic Mexican cooking is one of | | | | strong scent which helps bring out other flavors in |
| the special perks of spending a week or two in a villa | | | | your favorite dishes; use only fresh cilantro to get |
| Puerto Vallarta. Genuine Mexican cuisine produces a | | | | the best results. Coriander is the seed; it adds a |
| mouth-watering scent and savory taste that can only | | | | warm, sweet flavor to dishes. |
| be achieved using traditional recipes and spices. If you | | | | - Mexican oregano: this one may not be what |
| want to learn the art of Mexican cooking, you’re | | | | you’re thinking – it comes from an entirely |
| going to need a few special ingredients that may be | | | | different plant family than Mediterranean oregano |
| a bit new to you. | | | | (the common variety). The plant is native to Mexico; |
| - Chiles: Many recipes include chiles, and not just your | | | | the herb is stronger and sweeter than common |
| garden-variety chiles. You may be surprised to learn | | | | oregano, and it’s a “must have” in many |
| the number of different types of chiles, and each | | | | traditional Mexican dishes. |
| brings its own special properties to the table, so to | | | | Fine Mexican cuisine also uses a number of other, |
| speak. Anchos are mild and aromatic; the aromatic | | | | more common spices that you’re likely to find in |
| pasilla is essential for mole; chile de arbol is incredibly | | | | any good spice collection, including the one in your |
| hot. | | | | villa Puerto Vallarta. |
| - Cumin: this spice was originally found in hot and dry | | | | - Bay leaf: this leaf was favored in ancient Greece |
| regions of the Middle East. Today, it features | | | | and featured in mythology, when it was known by |
| prominently in several international cuisines, including | | | | its other name, laurel. This spice has a distinctive |
| Mexican dishes. Some recipes call for cumin seeds and | | | | strong scent and a slightly bitter taste. |
| others ground cumin. This is a strong spice that | | | | - Cinnamon sticks: this delightful, aromatic spice is |
| should be used with a delicate touch so it | | | | actually the inner bark of a tree. That’s right, and |
| doesn’t overpower the other flavors in your dish. | | | | it is so popular that once upon a time, folks used it |
| - Cilantro and coriander: there’s a reason to list | | | | as currency. |
| these two spices in one place – they both come | | | | - Garlic: a relative of onions and chives, garlic is familiar |
| from the same plant. Cilantro is the leaf. It has a | | | | to almost every cook. |