Menu Mix: The real regions of Mexico

"Americans have fallen in love with the great Mexican combination of rich, earthy flavors and casual, festive dining,” says Michael Omo, senior executive chef, Arizona Student Unions at the University of Arizona. “But still, most Americans don’t begin to imagine how sumptuous and varied the cooking of Mexico really is.”

So Omo strives to give student diners an informal tour of the regions with a Mexican menu selection that goes far beyond a Taco Tuesday or burrito bar. Both familiar Mexican food and more off-the-beaten-path Mexican menu items appear at dining concepts and the in-house catering operation, the Arizona Catering Co.

“Every cuisine has classic combinations of flavors that emanate from the different dishes,” Omo says. “So I encourage people to dive in and try the real thing!”

A tour of Mexico on the menu at the University of Arizona

Ensalada de Lechuga Orejona y Rabanos: Romaine and radish salad with sweet grilled onions and smoky lime dressing.

Enchiladas Suizas: Housemade corn tortillas rolled around smoked chicken with a creamy tomatillo sauce and melted cheese.

Polla al Horno con Mole: Wood-oven roasted baby chicken with Oaxacan red mole, white rice, braised spinach and crisp onion strings.

Ensalada de Chayote: Crunchy-sweet chayote and ribbon salad dressed with olive oil, cava vinegar, Mexican oregano and smoky Oaxacan pasilla chilies.

Carne Asada a la Tapatia: Roll-cut beef rib-eye marinated in red chile and seared over wood fire with tequila-dressed roasted cactus salsa and black beans.

Conchinita Pibil: Yucatan-style pork pibil marinated in anchiote and orange, then slow-cooked in banana leaves with green chile rajas, black beans, pickled red onions and habanero salsa.

Guacamole de Lujo: Guacamole with Hass avocados, salsa Mexicana, cilantro, fresh lime and jalapeño chilies, served with warm corn tortilla chips.

Chiles Rellenos: Soufflé-battered poblano chile stuffed with Chihuahua cheese and pork picadillo with roasted tomato-serrano chile sauce served with black beans.

The regions of Mexico at a glance

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Central Mexico

This region illustrates the duality of the Spaniard and the Aztec and features poblano peppers, dried chilies and mushrooms. The cazuela, a traditional cooking vessel often made of glazed clay, is prevalent in this regional cuisine.

Southern Mexico

Including Oaxaca, this is a region where Indian heritage shines through in the cooking. “It’s complex and distinctive,” Omo says. This region features dried peppers, stews and savory well-spiced fare that’s heavy with clove and cinnamon.

West-Central Mexico

“This is the essence of national flavors,” Omo says. Here is where so many beloved Mexican dishes originate: crispy fried pork carnitas, pozole, tequila-as-an-ingredient, fried tacos and red chile enchiladas.

The Gulf States

“This is the land of simple, well-seasoned cooking,” Omo says. Drawing from the bounty of the sea, popular dishes include fish with tomatoes, herbs and olives, spicy crab soup, turnovers and plantains.

The Yucatan

The Mayan tradition holds strong here, especially the love of anchiote seasoning (also known as annatto, it’s made from the seeds of an evergreen tree). Pork cooked in banana leaves, wild turkey, pumpkin seed sauces, and chicken with vinegar and spices dominate the cuisine.