Kids & Company Blog

Feature Recipe: Kidco Kitchen Tex Mex Madness

Fork Facts:
The word “Tex-Mex” first entered the English language as a nickname for the Texas Mexican Railway, chartered in southern Texas in 1875. In train schedules published in the newspapers of the 19th century the names of railroads were abbreviated…alias “Tex-Mex”.

Palate Profile:
Tex-Mex (from Texas and Mexico) is a fusion of Mexican and American cuisines, deriving from the culinary creations of Tejanos. The Tejano culture is a combination of Texans of Spanish or Mexican heritage who lived in Texas before it became a republic, and also Mexican immigrants from Northern Mexico. Tex-Mex cuisine is characterized by its heavy use of shredded cheese, meat (particularly beef and pork), beans, peppers and spices wrapped in a tortilla. Dishes such as Texas-style chili con carne, nachos, tacos and fajitas are all Tex-Mex inventions.

SERVE: 6 portions

What you need:

1 ½ Cup Kidney Bean

1 ½ Cup Pinto Bean

3 Cups Brown Rice, Cooked

1 ½ tsp Olive Oil

½ Cup Diced Onion

1 Tbsp Minced Garlic

½ Cup Corn

1 ½ Cup Diced Tomato

1 Cup Tomato Sauce

1 Tbsp Chili Powder

1 ½ tsp Cumin

½ tsp Paprika

½ Cup Shredded Cheese

What to do:

1. Make sure to wash your hands before you begin.

2. Preheat oven to 375°F.

3. Oil a large casserole dish.

4. Mix all spices together in a small bowl.

5. Heat oil over medium heat in a pan. Cook onion and garlic until translucent.

6. Stir in spice blend, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, rice and ¼ cup of the shredded cheese. Sauté for a few minutes.

7. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish and smooth out the top. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.

8. Cover with a lid or foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Additional Tips:

››Tex-Mex has imported flavours from other spicy cuisines, such as the use of cumin.

››Turn up the heat with some good old-fashioned chipotle which gives the dish a smoky, spicy kick!

››Try adding some yummy toppings like avocado, shredded cheese, jalapenos, refried beans… the options are endless!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @kidcochildcare and on Instagram @cheflisaruscica!

Cheers,

Chef Lisa Ruscica

Chief Food Ambassador

Posted on: Wednesday August 15th, 2018

Posted by: Lisa Ruscica