What the heck is "mexican seasoning"?

[Valerie226]

This is no doubt a spice blend similar to "Italian seasoning" or "cajun seasoning" so I no doubt have the individual spices on hand. Any ideas? I was thinking cumin, chili powder and oregano in approx equal proportions and a dash of garlic powder.

[ljt2r]

The spices I would throw in if I saw that would be ancho chile powder and cumin in equal amount with a smaller amount of coriander and Mexican oregano. Honestly though true seasoning probably has garlic or onion powder or both and salt as well. New Mexico chile powder would work too but I prefer ancho. Depending on the recipe I might also use thyme and Mexican cinnamon as well.

[Valerie226]

I can use the ancho chili powder I bought for the chocolate chili that got such bad reviews in Dec! This was for a fish taco recipe. I'm trying to get DH to try fish occasionally and thought mexican seasoning might do the trick. FWIW I will skip cinnamon but I hadn't thought of coriander.

[Hammster]

Here are a few recipes found on the 'net.

From CDKitchen:
6 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
***Optional***
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
3 teaspoons dried basil, crushed
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper


From blogspot. Don't know why flour is in this one.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I like to use white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour)
2 T chili powder
1/4 cup onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
4 tsp salt
4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano

From about.com.
1/4 cup dried oregano
3 tablespoons dried chile powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground cinnamon

As different as they all are, the ingredients are basically pretty consistently the same, just different ratios.

And for something completely different from My Mexico by Diana Kennedy.
Chilatas (Mexican Seasoning)
Recipe from: My Mexico
by Diana Kennedy
Cookbook Heaven at Recipelink.com


Chilatas is a textured powder of toasted and ground seeds seasoned with chile and salt. It is sprinkled over a freshly made corn tortilla or a dish of beans. I even use it on salads. It is delicious, healthy, crunchy and addictive.

Makes 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) loosely packed

1/3 cup (83 ml) shelled peanuts

1/2 cup (125 ml) sesame seeds

1/2 cup (125 ml) raw, hulled pumpkin seeds

1/8 teaspoon powdered, hot, dried chiles (not chile powder mixed with other condiments)

1/2 teaspoon or to taste, medium coarse sea salt

Toast each of the seeds separately in a heavy pan, taking care not to let them get too brown. Set aside to cool.

Grind them separately in an electric coffee/spice grinder to a textured consistency. Mix together with the chile and salt and store in a dry place in an airtight container. It keeps indefinitely.

[ljt2r]

I can use the ancho chili powder I bought for the chocolate chili that got such bad reviews in Dec! This was for a fish taco recipe. I'm trying to get DH to try fish occasionally and thought mexican seasoning might do the trick. FWIW I will skip cinnamon but I hadn't thought of coriander.

People frequently forget coriander, it's always associated with Indian food--but it is used a lot in Mexico. Remember it is just the seed of cilantro, which is everywhere in Mexican cooking. I would say it is used in smaller amounts in Mexico though. And yes I would skip the cinnamon too for fish. Although I don't eat fish much so you probably shouldn't listen to me anyway. :o :)

[mkc]

From a Google search and viewing a cached page from the McCormick website

Mexican Seasoning
See Selected Recipes with Mexican Seasoning

Discontinued June 2007. Try our McCormick® Fajita Seasoning.

Ingredients
SPICES (INCLUDING CHILI PEPPER, CUMIN, AND RED PEPPER), CORN FLOUR, SALT, ONION, GREEN BELL PEPPER, AND GARLIC.


Of course "SPICES (INCLUDING...." isn't all that enlightening...

[srahndennis]

Someone here once mentioned that they just used taco seasoning. That's what I've done ever since!

[Valerie226]

I'm not crazy about fish myself but fish tacos sound not too "fishy" to me and with mexican seasoning, I am thinking DH may at least try it. I will need back up leftovers just in case though.
I just got back form the store & did not see any prepackaged "mexican seasoning" . I believe the recipe called for some fresh cilantro so will leave out the coriander until I taste it & decide. can always add some if it's good.
So thank you, I'll go with the suggestions here and make a couple spoonsfull of a blend to see if we like it.

[Hammster]

I'm not crazy about fish myself but fish tacos sound not too "fishy" to me and with mexican seasoning, I am thinking DH may at least try it. I will need back up leftovers just in case though.
I just got back form the store & did not see any prepackaged "mexican seasoning" . I believe the recipe called for some fresh cilantro so will leave out the coriander until I taste it & decide. can always add some if it's good.
So thank you, I'll go with the suggestions here and make a couple spoonsfull of a blend to see if we like it.


Be aware that coriander seed and cilantro do not taste alike at all.

[swedish cook]

How about this mix from some home cooks:
4 T chili powder
2 T paprika
1 1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t ancho chili powder
1 t oregano
1/2 t salt

Home made chili powder from "The Texas Cowboy Cookbook"
- but then that's TexMex and different from Mexican

1 cup Ancho chili powder
1 t Mexican oregano
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t ground cumin

[armel]

Here are the spices listed on my bottle of Schilling Mexican seasoning:

chili pepper
cumin
red pepper
corn flour
salt
onion
green bell pepper
garlic

[CindyWeightWatcher]

The "Cooking Light Superfast Suppers" cookbook relies heavily on
"mexican seasoning". I looked everyplace for it and couldn't find it.
I was very disappointed so I emailed McCormack's about a year ago (it was either in the book or on the board that made me think they made it) and McCormack's emailed me back that they do not sell it in my area.
To this day, I still look for "mexican seasoning".

[Alleycat]

Don't know if this a true fit, but sounds like a good substitute.

From Penzey's (but I've seen Adobo Seasoning in the grocery store too, though it might have sodium in the regular grocery):

Adobo Seasoning
A traditional and popular Mexican spice mix. Not hot, but spicy and rich in flavor, and salt-free. Use ½-1 tsp. per pound and rub on chicken, fish and pork. Great for the grill, just sprinkle fish or meat with a bit of lime juice, rub on Adobo, add salt to taste, then grill (or broil). Add to taco or chili meat or beans for that South-of-the-border flavor, use 1-2 tsp. per pound and fry with the meat before adding to the sauce. Great for easy guacamole, just mix 1 tsp. Adobo Seasoning in 1 TB. water, add to 2 mashed avocados with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a shake of salt and a pinch of hot pepper. Adobo Seasoning is great for perking up low-sodium and low-fat diets, just sprinkle on in place of salt and pepper before cooking. Hand-mixed from: garlic, onion, Tellicherry black pepper, Mexican oregano, cumin and cayenne red pepper.