Salsa and Sour Cream: The Art of Layering in Mexican Cuisine

When it comes to adding toppings to your favorite Mexican dishes, the choice of whether to put salsa on top of sour cream or sour cream on top of salsa can be a matter of personal preference. Despite the cultural and regional variations, there are some general guidelines to consider. In this article, we will explore the traditional approaches to layering these two essential condiments in various Mexican dishes.

Personal Preferences and Family Traditions

Mexican cuisine is rich and diverse, with each household potentially having its own unique take on how to use these toppings. Sour cream, for instance, is a key ingredient in many desserts, like cheesecake or frosting, but it is also used in various savory dishes. In my family, we prefer to use mid-cream or regular cream in dishes such as tostadas, tostadas tostadas, elote (grilled corn), esquite (hot skewered corn), and more.

Using Sour Cream on Tostadas

For tostadas, the choice of layering is often guided by the type of cream used. If the tostadas are topped with a watery sauce or a juice-containing topping, then vegetable cream is preferable. This is because vegetable cream is less likely to make the tortilla soggy. In contrast, if the tostada is served with a liquid stir sauce, regular liquid cream is fine and can be placed on top at the end of the assembly process to maintain a creamy texture. This technique is particularly useful to prevent the tostada from becoming too soaking after a longer preparation.

Swiss Enchiladas: A Personal Touch

In the case of Swiss enchiladas, the choice is a bit more flexible, especially when it comes to serving them to different palates. Personally, I do not have a strong preference for one over the other, but for others, the traditional method of placing the chicken, sauce, and cream on top is more appealing. The beauty of Mexican cuisine lies in its ability to adapt to individual tastes and family traditions.

Entomatadas: A Delicate Balance

Regarding entomatadas, a personal touch is key. While some people prefer to add sour cream on top, my family does not. This delicate balance between the creamy and tomato-rich flavors is best achieved when they are served separately. The softness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the sour cream can be enhanced, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Elote and Esquite: Creative Layering

Elote, grilled corn, and esquite, a popular street food, often incorporate both sour cream and salsa, but in different ways. For elote, start with a drizzle of mayo or cream, followed by a generous amount of salsa, chile powder, and shredded cotija cheese. For esquite, the mixture is typically sweeter and creamier, combining corn, cream, mayonnaise, and a fakely made nacho cheese sauce, which is then topped with salsa right before serving.

US Cuisine vs. Mexican Cuisine

While it is true that sour cream is more commonly used in Mexican-American cuisine, it is not a prerequisite for every dish. Certain dishes like tostadas are more popular in the United States and often incorporate sour cream as a topping. In authentic Mexican cuisine, however, the use of sour cream is more flexible and varies according to the dish and personal preference.

Conclusion: A Matter of Taste

Ultimately, whether to put salsa on top of sour cream or vice versa is a matter of taste and the specific dish being prepared. Each cultural and regional variation in Mexican cuisine offers unique approaches to layering these condiments, which can add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile. Experimentation and personal preference should be the guiding factors in determining your preferred order of toppings. Enjoy the art of layering in Mexican cuisine and create your own unique experiences with these traditional condiments.