Mexican cooks generally soften the corn in hot limewater, boil it, and then grind it into meal. The main corn-meal food is the tortilla, a thin flat bread shaped by hand or machine and cooked on an ungreased griddle. It also may be made with wheat flour. The tortilla is the bread of most Mexicans. Poorer Mexicans may eat frijoles every day, often using a folded tortilla to spoon up the beans.
Rice is also boiled and then fried.
Most Mexicans like their foods highly seasoned with hot chili pepper or other strong peppers. Turkey is a popular holiday dish. It is often served with mole, a sauce made of chocolate, chili, sesame seed, and spices. The poorer families eat little meat because they cannot afford it. They may vary their basic diet of corn and beans with fruit, honey, onions, tomatoes, squash, or sweet potatoes.