Want to go Mexican but do not want the usual Nachos and Chimichangas? Well, there's really more Mexican food to try than just Burritos, Nachos and Chimichangas. The history of it, as they say is a long and diverse one, but the Spanish cuisine had the most influence on Mexican food.

Corn and beans are the common grains used in most Mexican dishes. Corn, as a staple grain, is made into cornmeal for their 'masa' or dough to make tortillas, tamales, etc. The varied flavours of Mexican food come from garlic which they use fresh or sometimes put in a jar with oil; onion, cumin, chilli powder and oregano give earthy flavour; chocolate or cocoa for richer flavour; and other spices include cinnamon, ancho chile, etc. for more exotic taste.

In terms of preparation, their traditional way of cooking is over an open fire with skillets; they also do some frying, grilling and steaming. Nowadays, of course it is more convenient to prepare Mexican dishes.

For appetizers, start off with Albondigas Soup which literally means meatballs soup. This is for those who want to play it safe as the ingredients include meatballs, green beans, onions and chicken stock. For those who are more adventurous, go for Chapulines, which are toasted grasshoppers with salt and lime.

Move on to the main dish and try the Menudo. It's a Mexican familial food because it involves the whole family to prepare and cook it and it takes around 4 to 7 hours for the whole process. It is usually served during special occasions though some Mexican restaurants do offer it in their menu. Menudo is a combination of tripe, 'pata' or the pig's feet, honeycomb, 'librillo' or the beef or sheep's stomach and it is best eaten with Mexican rice. But if you are not raving for beef innards and pig's extremities, lean meat can be a substitute.

Another main dish to that goes well with Mexican rice is the Huevos Rancheros. It is made of eggs and slices of tomatoes on corn tortillas with refried beans and guacamole on the side.

If rice is too much or too heavy for your stomach, then better try the Gringas, which is a kind of quesadilla. You can also opt for the Hueros Motulenos which is made of eggs, black beans, and cheese on tortillas, which can also be enjoyed with meat or ham and complemented with salsa as a side dish. Another must-try is the Panucho, a small tortilla that is fried to make it partially open or crack and then filled with meat like asado or other flavourful fillings.

Care for some alcohol? Then 'tuba' is the answer. It is a kind of wine made from the sap of different kinds of palm trees like coconut palm. Nowadays, 'tuba' is made in different flavours like mango, bubblegum, cinnamon or apple; but of course, Mexican dishes go well with the traditional taste of the 'tuba'. Other alcoholic drinks are ginebra or gin; cerveza or beer; and who would forget tequila and kahlua?

Cap off your meal with some churros. It is made with dough which is fried then sprinkled with sugar. Other variations have chocolate as dip. But if you are too full, then you can try the Cr?me Caramel which is custard topped with caramel.

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