So, I’ve been wanting to give my kitchen a bit of a makeover for a while now. I was pretty bored with how it looked, and I thought, why not try something totally different? That’s when I got the idea to go for a traditional Mexican theme. I’ve always loved the vibrant colors and the cozy, rustic feel of Mexican decor.
First, I started looking up some ideas online. I found a bunch of cool stuff about using bright tiles and rustic wood. It all looked so warm and inviting, just what I was going for. I wanted my kitchen to feel like a place where everyone wants to hang out, you know?
I went to a few stores and picked out some really colorful tiles. I chose a mix of blues, yellows, and oranges, because those seem to be pretty common in Mexican designs. Then, I decided to replace my old countertop with a wooden one. I went for a darker wood to give it that old, worn-in look that you see in pictures of hacienda kitchens.
Putting up the tiles was a bit of a job. I had to make sure they were all lined up right, and the grouting was a whole other thing. But man, it was worth it! The kitchen started to look totally different right away. The wooden countertop was easier to install, luckily. A friend of mine helped me out, and we got it done in an afternoon.
Cooking Changes
I also started to change up how I cook. I learned about things like dry roasting and using a comal. It’s pretty different from what I’m used to, like baking and grilling. Dry roasting is super cool for making salsas. It really brings out the flavors.
- Corn: I never realized how important corn is in Mexican cooking. I started making my own tortillas, which was a bit tricky at first, but now I’m getting the hang of it.
- Beans: Beans are another big one. I’ve been trying out different recipes, like refried beans and bean soups. They’re so filling and tasty.
- Chiles: And of course, chiles! I’ve been experimenting with different kinds, some are super spicy, and others are more mild. They add so much flavor to everything.
I also read about milpas and chinampas, which are these traditional farming methods. It’s amazing how they used to grow their food. I don’t have a garden, but it made me appreciate the ingredients more.
One thing I found interesting was nixtamalization. It’s a process where you soak corn in lime water. It sounds weird, but it makes the corn easier to grind and more nutritious. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it’s on my list.
Honestly, changing up my kitchen and how I cook has been a blast. It’s like I’m learning a whole new culture through food and design. My friends love coming over now, and my kitchen really does feel like the heart of my home.
