Are Peanuts Used In Mexican Dishes?
Is it true that Mexican cuisine contains peanuts? In general, the answer is no. Except for a few items, such as mole sauce, most Mexican food does not include peanuts. However, you must be cautious since certain establishments may cook using peanut oil. Peanuts can be replaced with seeds, spices, or other nuts when making mole sauce at home.
When it comes to Mexican food, peanut allergies, and keeping you and your family safe, we still have a lot to learn.
As a result, we’ll discuss a few foods that you should either avoid or get prepared explicitly at a restaurant. But we’ll also look at some terrific home cooking substitutes.
We’ll discuss peanuts in more than simply Mexican cuisine. Let’s get right to work!
Is it true that Mexican cuisine contains nuts?
They aren’t used very commonly in general.
When I think of peanuts in Mexican cooking, the first thing that springs to mind is peanut sauce. That didn’t take long for me to understand it was Asian food, not Mexican. However, many individuals confuse these two sorts of foods.
They include many of the same components, but they’re cooked in various ways.
I just published an essay that is similar to this one. However, it focuses on peanuts in Asian cuisine. If you’re interested, follow the link on my website to learn more.
Let’s return to Mexican cuisine now. Even if peanut sauce isn’t Mexican, several items are, such as mole sauce, that you should avoid.
Nuts are commonly used in Mexican pesto, Mole Sauce, Mazapan, Picadillo, Champurroados, Chile Rellenos, and many sweets and should be avoided when eating Mexican food.
Tacos, enchiladas (be careful with this at restaurants; I’ll go into more detail later), and quesadillas are some foods that don’t include peanuts. In general, you should inform the chef that you have a peanut allergy and prevent any unpleasant scenarios.
Always be cautious while eating at mom and pop stores or food trucks since they specialize in traditional foods that include more nuts.
Is the mole sauce made with peanuts?
If you’re not familiar with Mexican cuisine, you could think it’s guacamole, but a mole sauce is distinct. It’s a thick marinade and sauce that can contain various ingredients depending on the recipe.
The critical elements of mole, on the other hand, are as follows.
- A dried chili pepper of some kind (or a mix of different ones)
- Tomatillos (something sour)
- Fruits & Vegetables (something sweet, like raisins)
- Seeds and spices (sesame seeds, cumin, cinnamon)
- thickening agent (often bread or old shredded tortillas, but sometimes peanut butter)
- Chocolate from Mexico
You won’t find this meal at restaurants or parties since it’s generally cooked with nuts like peanuts, almonds, or peanut butter. If you make it home, I’ll explain how you can create the mole without the nuts later.
If you’re eating in Mexico, avoid mole sauce because it’s almost usually prepared with nuts.
The best option is to prepare your Mexican food at home and to be cautious when dining out. There are still ways to prepare meals without peanuts, like mole sauce.
Mole sauce is frequently used to top enchiladas or to cook chicken breast.
Is the enchilada sauce prepared from peanut butter or whole peanuts?
I mentioned enchiladas previously, and now I’ll give you a bit more information about them.
Typically, peanuts are not included in enchiladas. However, some restaurants utilize peanut oil in their enchiladas’ sauce. Alternatively, you may cook the tortillas before rolling them.
Some restaurants even thicken their sauce with peanut butter.
Overall, yes, peanut oil or peanut butter may be used to make enchiladas. It’s important to remember that refined oil has little to no protein.
It implies you’re less likely to respond to it than you would to unprocessed peanut oil.
It also depends on how severe your allergies are. Some people are allergic to peanut oil, while others are not. Instead of peanuts or almonds, piping is a mole sauce prepared using pumpkin or squash seeds. Pipian is also used in sure enchiladas.
On the other hand, making enchiladas at home is a pleasant experience that is always safe for a family with food allergies. This is a quick and easy recipe for enchiladas without peanuts.
Enchiladas:
- steak flesh shaved
- 2 cups cheese (pepper jack)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Ten tortillas (about) Sauce:
Sauce
- One tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup onions, minced
- Three garlic cloves, minced
- Tomato sauce (three 8-ounce cans)
- Two c. chopped green chilies, 4 oz.
- chile powder (two teaspoons)
- One tablespoon cumin powder
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Before adding the remainder of the sauce components, make sure the onions and garlic are well cooked.
- Fill the tortillas with meat and cheese and fold them up.
- Cover the bottom of the pan with enough sauce.
- Into the pan, place the enchiladas.
- Cover with the remaining sauce and top with cheese.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Take pleasure in it.
Is peanut oil used in Mexican cooking?
It depends on who manufactures it and where it’s made, as you imagined. Some restaurants cook their cuisine with peanut oil, and some recipes naturally call for peanuts.
When eating out, never put yourself in danger by asking if the meal is cooked with peanut oil.
Food allergies are usually accommodated at most restaurants. Most Mexican food, such as mole sauce, does not employ peanut oil as much as the natural nut.
Enchiladas are the main course at restaurants that employ peanut oil or peanut butter in their sauce.
To be on the safe side, keep the enchiladas for a festive family lunch at home and order a quesadilla instead.
As I previously stated, whether or not a person can tolerate peanut oil depends on the individual. The type of peanut oil used also makes a difference. Peanut oil that has been refined contains nearly no protein and is typically harmless for people who have a peanut allergy.
In a mole sauce, what can I use instead of peanuts?
Dinner substitution is an excellent approach to making a meal safe for everyone.
Whether you’re on a keto diet, a high-protein diet, have food allergies, or are vegan, replacing the problem in the dish doesn’t have to mean the meal has to be bland or drastically different.
In this example, we aim to make a mole sauce out of peanuts.
What is the best way to create mole sauce without using peanuts?
It’s relatively simple. The purpose of the peanuts in mole sauce is to thicken them. However, it also contributes to the overall equilibrium.
I have an excellent recipe for mole sauce that isn’t made with peanuts. I also have a recent piece about what you can eat while on a keto diet in a Mexican restaurant. To read it on my site, click the link.
Even though peanuts are typically an exception for folks on a keto diet, most people will avoid them. Trying keto might help you stay away from peanuts at home and on the move. Switching to a keto diet has a lot of advantages, and you don’t have to give up all of your favorite foods.
Now, let’s return to the recipe.
Let’s make it peanut-free now that I’ve shown you the essential components for mole sauce. We’ll use pumpkin seeds and raisins instead of peanuts.
Mole sauce ingredients:
- Mexican chocolate (two ounces)
- 1-quart broth (vegetable)
- 1 cup onions, diced
- a couple of garlic gloves
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- Bay leaf, one
Ingredients for pepper paste (to be added in the mole sauce)
- Pepper paste ingredients (to be added in the mole sauce)
- Five ancho chiles, dried
- Three pasilla chilies, dried
- Three chiles de Chipotle
- 1-gallon vegetable stock
To make pepper paste, follow these instructions:
- Toast the peppers in a dry skillet or, if you have one, on a comal.
- Using a spatula, press them down and turn them repeatedly.
- Remove from the flame when blackened but not charred, and cool somewhat.
- Remember to put on disposable gloves for the following step. (If you don’t use gloves, the capsaicin can burn your hands for hours.) If you touch your face, you run the risk of causing burning around your eyes.)
- We’ll clean the peppers by removing the stem and cleaning out the seeds. Remember to work quickly, so the peppers do not cool entirely.
- Remove the seeds and stalks and discard them (unless you want added heat in the sauce)
- In a medium saucepan, combine the vegetable broth and peppers. Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes at a low temperature.
- After that, place everything in a blender and mix until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve even if the seeds are a concern. This will get rid of any remaining seeds and skin.
Directions for mole sauce:
- While we create the mole, set your paste aside.
- To make the mole sauce, follow these instructions:
- Place the remaining broth, onions, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and bay leaf in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to low heat for 10 minutes. Make careful to stir every now and then.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Half of the mixture should be blended, and the other half should be placed in a container. Begin on low and gradually increase to high.
- For around 50 seconds, blend.
- Back into the pot, pour the combined mixture.
- Then, in a blender, combine all of the ingredients.
- Reverse the procedure and return the whole mixture.
- Simmer on a medium heat setting
- Cook for another 5 minutes after adding the pepper paste and chocolate.
- Taste it and add more pepper paste if necessary.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Have I answered all of your questions regarding peanuts in Mexican cuisine?
We discussed peanuts in Mexican cuisine in this post.
We also discussed how to substitute other foods for peanuts. We discussed which foods to avoid and prepare at home as part of a family cook night.
Although certain Mexican dishes do include peanuts, most of them do not. There are other simple substitutes for peanuts, peanut oil, and peanut butter in recipes.
Although many foods do not include peanuts or peanut oil, you should always inquire if you are eating out. Peanut allergies vary, and some people may tolerate peanut oil while others are unable to.
Mexican food is a popular choice among many people, and there are always methods to make it safe for everybody. Whether you’re on a ketogenic diet, have dietary allergies, or don’t care for a particular sort of food.