Viva healthy Mexican food!

Why not take your family and friends on a victual trip to Mexico by way of the dining room table? And while you're at it, take a vacation from the greasy grub that often passes in restaurants for Mexican cuisine. Instead, treat yourself to food where the vibrant flavors of lime, chiles, and cilantro create fatless and faultless flavor and sauces are made not with butter but with toasted nuts, seeds, and spices. Here's a small sampling of our delicious and healthy Mexican recipes.

Cheese Please

Abandon the gloppy melted cheese that blankets dishes in lesser Mexican restaurants: A sprinkle of salty Queso Fresco will often do the trick.

Goodbye Fried

For a low-fat alternative to fried tortilla chips, buy baked chips or make them yourself: Simply brush corn tortillas with a little oil, stack, cut into wedges, spread in a single layer on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and any spices you'd like to add, and bake at 375° until crisp, about 12 minutes.

Go for Good Fat

Instead of sour cream or crema, use guacamole to add a rich touch to tacos and burritos: It's just as luxurious, but because it's made with avocados, it contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which helps raise "good" cholesterol, as well as potassium and vitamin B6. If only dairy will do, experiment with reduced-fat sour cream or try using a dollop of low-fat yogurt for a tangy touch. In recipes that call for lard or butter, try substituting healthy oils, such as grape seed or olive.

Seriously Good Seafood

Catfish Tacos with Tomato and Avocado Salsa

Rick Bayless' Grilled Salmon Vera Cruz with Lemon-and-Thyme-Scented Salsa

Red Snapper, Veracruz Style

Salmon with Chili-Mango Salsa

Sweet Corn and Halibut Tamales

Seafood Salad with Cilantro Dressing


Healthy Mains

Tortilla Soup with Chicken and Lime

Green Pozole with Chicken

Grilled Fajita Salad

Pollo En Pipian Verde

Mexican Meatball Soup with Rice and Cilantro

Chicken with Spicy Tomato Sauce


Super Salsas

Spicy Pineapple, Apricot,and Jicama Salsa

Charred Tomato, Chipotle, and Mango Salsa

Poblano Chilies with Black Beans and Cheese

Rice, Bean, and Corn Salad

Charred Tomato Mint Salsa

Chipotle Salsa



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