Editing Mexican cuisine (section)

===Spanish contributions===
{{See also|Spanish cuisine}}
[[File:Pechuga Adobada.jpg|thumb|''Pechuga [[adobada]]'', chicken breast in [[adobo]] with a side of [[chayote]], mushrooms, corn and [[Poblano|poblano rajas]]. Adobo, including a key item, vinegar, arrived with the Spanish. A common characteristic of Mexican adobo is its incorporation of [[chile ancho]].]]

Together with Mesoamerica, Spain is the second basis of Mexican cuisine, contributing in two fundamental ways: Firstly, they brought with them old world staples and ingredients which did not exist in the Americas such as sugar, wheat, rice, onions, garlic, limes, cooking oil, dairy products, pork, beef and many others. Secondly, they brought various culinary traditions from the Iberian peninsula which have become prevalent in Mexico. Equally, the discovery of the incorporation of New World ingredients to Spanish cuisine has led to the shared naming of foods such as chorizo, which uses paprika.

Spanish cuisine was in turn heavily influenced by its Moorish heritage and this created one of the earliest instances of [[fusion cuisine]]. The Spanish also introduced the technique of frying in [[Lard|pork fat]]. Today, the main meats found in Mexico are pork, chicken, beef, goat, and sheep. [[Fish as food|Fish]] and other seafood are also popular, especially along the coasts, and the cooking method commonly has a Spanish origin such as with Huachinango a la vizcaina.<ref name="malat8889">Malat, pp. 88-89.</ref>

[[Cheeses of Mexico|Cheesemaking in Mexico]] has evolved its specialties, although Spanish-style cheese such as Manchego is also produced in Mexico. It is an important economic activity, especially in the north, and is frequently done at home. The main cheese-making areas are [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], [[Oaxaca]], [[Querétaro]], and [[Chiapas]]. Goat cheese is still made, but it is not as popular and is harder to find in stores.<ref name="losquesos">{{cite web |url=http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2155-a-guide-to-mexican-cheese-queso-mexicano |title=A guide to Mexican cheese: Los quesos mexicanos |first=Karen Hursh |last=Graber |date=1 October 2000 |publisher=Mexconnect newsletter |issn=1028-9089 |access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>

[[Churro]]s are a common snack originating in Spain and because [[Sugarcane|sugar cane]] was brought to the Americas through [[Spanish Empire|Spanish colonization]], all of Mexico's sweets have a Hispanic origin, often with a Muslim heritage such as [[Alfeñique]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/18/churros-the-hidden-history_n_930791.html |title=Churros: The Hidden History |date= 2011-08-18 |access-date=2011-10-16 |work=[[The Huffington Post]]}}</ref>