What do you know about Mexican food? Did you know that the culture is over 3,000 years old? Not quite as ancient as Australia’s First Nations culture but certainly established well before Europeans arrived.
Did you know some of our favourite ingredients such as avocado, pumpkin and corn, originated in and around Mexico? The much-loved tomato and chilli, although they were born in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, were cultivated in Mexico between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago. The words chilli, tomato, avocado, and chocolate all came from Nahuatl,the language of the Aztecs.
Understandably, for many Australians, our knowledge of Mexican food is limited. Mexico is further away than, for example, Asia, and Mexican people are less frequently able to migrate to Australia bringing their culture and food with them. When compared to European cuisines Mexican food can often be perceived as ‘cheap and cheerful’ – certainly not something worth dropping serious dollars on. After all, it’s just street food made by poor people, right?
Rosefina’s in Billinudgel is a restaurant whose staff are on a mission to help reshape our misconceptions of Mexican cuisine, one dish at a time. Part owner, Josie, was born and raised in Byron Shire (before the internet) and had the opportunity to visit Mexico when she was 12 years old. This eye-opening experience has continued to inform her curiosity for Latin culture and vibrancy, and particularly the development, over centuries, of traditional Mexican food.
As Josie says, ‘Unfortunately our perception of Mexican food in Australia is influenced by the likes of ‘Guzmen y Gomez’ and cocktail bars wanting something snacky to sell alongside alcohol. This doesn’t recognize the level of time and attention that real Mexican food requires’.
To give one example, the beef birria has become an established favourite for diners at Rosefina’s. It comprises at least 20 ingredients, including several dried Mexican chillies which are individually prepared by hand. Locally-grown beef comes from Devine Quality Meats with the finished dish served alongside house-made salsa verde, pico de gallo and hand-pressed tortillas from organic masa flour sourced by Dona Cholita.
This is a flavoursome dish best accompanied by a glass of their La Maldicion Tinto Fino Spanish wine or the Geyer Wine Co. Rouge unfiltered wine.
Rosefina’s has just updated their wine list where you will find an extensive range of organic and natural wines from Australia and overseas. They also have a limited takeaway license to accompany food for those wanting something a little more special to pair with their take-home taco kit or burrito.
So, if you would like to enjoy a vibrant and interesting take on traditional Mexican cuisine, experience Rosefina’s.
8/10 Wilfred St Billinudgel
https://www.rosefinas.place.
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