Southwestern Cooking
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
If you’re like most people, you think Southwestern cooking has to be hot to be good, and you’re going to burn your tongue out if you try it. Well, the good news is, Southwestern cooking doesn't have to be hot! Yes, many recipes call for chili powder, fresh chiles, or red pepper. However, just like most cooking, any cook can change the recipes, so your family will enjoy the food, and you will still capture the tangy essence of Southwestern flavors.
Many recipes aren’t hot at all, and if they do call for chiles, etc., you can modify the amount to make your taste buds happy. Just remember, it’s a lot easier to add heat, rather than take it away, so start small, and then add as your taste buds "warm" up to the taste.
Chiles are a traditional part of Southwestern cooking because they are native to the area. They thrive in hot weather, and the Southwest gives it to them. All chiles aren’t hot, however. Some are very mild, like the Poblano chili, which is used in Chiles Relleno, and is usually very mild. So is the Anaheim chile. Did you know the hottest part of the chile, no matter what type it is, is the seeds? If you don’t want hot, spicy food, but want the taste of the chile, cut it open, and cut out the veins and seeds inside. Discard them, and your chile won’t be as hot, but you’ll still have the wonderful flavor for your recipes. Some of the hottest chiles are Serrano, Cayenne, Jalapeno, and the super hot Habanero and Scotch Bonnet. Watch out for these types, if you don’t like hot, spicy chiles. If you’d like to know more, including how to grow your own chiles, visit Future Garden.
Southwestern cooking has taken a bit of Mexican, Native American, and "traditional" American, and made it a distinctive type of cuisine all its own. It’s known for using fresh ingredients you can grow in your own garden, like corn, tomatoes, chilies, and cilantro. I know many people who plant "salsa gardens" that include tomatoes, chiles, cilantro, and chives or scallions. Presto, when your garden matures, you have all the ingredients to create delicious fresh salsas! Southwestern cooking also uses fresh ingredients that are available in the more arid regions of the desert southwest. Flatbreads like tortillas are common, and so are cheaper cuts of beef, like ground beef or skirt steak for sizzling fajitas. However, many trendy Southwestern cooks are taking their food to a higher level by adding delicate sauces, more fresh herbs, and lighter meats like chicken and pork. Southwestern food has its own style and flavor, and it invokes images of warm summer nights spent sipping margaritas and grilling on a patio bathed in moonlight.
So, don’t be afraid to explore Southwestern cooking! It’s not all hot and spicy, and you can tone it down to meet your own tastes. Try it, and I’ll bet you fall in love with this wonderful cuisine!
