Online Class: Tex Mex Cooking 101

This online Tex Mex cooking course provides you with all the step-by-step instructions and video demonstrations you need to make a variety of delicious Tex Mex dishes and meals.
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  • 12
    Lessons
  • 15
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,777
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 8
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.8
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Tex Mex Cuisine 101 is a course for those who want to learn more about the Tex Mex phenomenon. Often when we consider Mexican food, it is actually Tex Mex we are thinking of. Tex Mex is a blend of cuisine from Mexico and the Southern States, especially Texas. It is inspired by the melting pot fuelled by increasing immigration from Mexico into the Southern States of America; Mexican ingredients found their way into Texan dishes while Texan cooks left their own stamp on Mexican recipes, culminating in a culinary revolution of sorts that has taken the world by storm. Tex Mex restaurants have sprung up all over the world and if you want to know why, then this course is perfect for you.
 
The course begins with a look at the history of Tex Mex cuisine, where it came from and how it is influenced by cultural and geographical factors. From Lesson 2, the real fun begins with a range of recipes that will in turn challenge and surprise you with their unique combinations of ingredients. While many of the recipes make great use of chillies and spices, many of them can be made milder to suit every taste so there really is something for everyone here, from those who love things hot, hot, hot... to children and those who can't quite handle the heat!

Each lesson has around 3 recipes to try, ranging from side dishes and snacks to more involving recipes for whole meals. Throughout the course, suggestions are made for those who want to be adventurous and alter the recipes to suit the preferences of their family or dinner guests; allowing you to have the freedom to be original and continue the Tex Mex legacy by perhaps introducing some of your own locality into the recipes.

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Course Motivation

This course offers guided recipes for all those who want to adventure into Tex Mex cookery. This course will show you the delights of 'Tex Mex' cuisine as well as giving you step-by-step instructions in order to complete the recipes as they were intended. Also, it will allow you to impress your friends and family with your skills in the kitchen while also helping you to appreciate the culinary history of Tex Mex cookery. 

What is Tex Mex?
 
Tex Mex literally stands for Texan / Mexican. The crossover of cultures from the southwestern states of America, most notably Texas, and  the country of Mexico have resulted, over the past few decades, in a blending of the arts. Few aspects of life remain untouched by the influence of the other culture… Tex Mex music (or 'Tejano music'), Tex Mex themed parties, Tex Mex cuisine… and it is not just Texas and Mexico that have benefited from this fantastic collaboration, the Tex Mex phenomenon has spread all over the world. There are Tex Mex restaurants throughout America, across Europe and even into Australia, Asia and Africa. 
 
Tex-Mex Cuisine 
 
Tex-Mex cooking is a combination of Mexican and Texan cultures. Over the space of many generations the recipes and ingredients have evolved to create a style of dishes that brings excitement and flavor to the dinner table. Some of the most popular 'Tex Mex' foods inspired by the Mexico include nachos, tacos, burritos, fajitas and enchiladas which are featured in the course, the Texan side is represented by a proliferation of beans, corn and potato dishes but each recipe blends the two cultures together and shares a love of the spicy. The actual definition of Tex-Mex cuisine can be confusing as it is derived from several cultures, this becomes evident when you look at the origins of the Tex Mex phenomenon. 

Origins of Tex Mex
 
The Mexican origins are complicated by the early influences of the Mayans and Aztecs, as many food critics have stated over the years, Mexican cuisine evolved slowly, changing little over the centuries and continuing to make use of the same regional and local ingredients as it did many years ago. Mexican people use many of the ingredients their ancestors did as crops there have changed little. Avocados, beans, and a range of chili pepper variations that extends into the hundreds are cultivated for use in a similar way to the Aztecs and Mayans but in modern times they are also exported to bring in vital revenue for a country that is still fighting high levels of poverty. 

The main Texan influence on Tex Mex cuisine is the addition of meat. Texas has the most agricultural land of any of the states of America and the main food export of the state is beef. This compliments the cuisine of Mexico very well as Mexico produces less beef and the people tend to use  less as it is much more expensive in proportion to the average wage than it is in Texas. Tex Mex cuisine adds more meat to traditional Mexican food and as a result it is more popular among the meat eating populations of the Western world. 

The high rate of immigration of the Mexican people into the southern states and the influx of immigrants from other areas made Texas and the surrounding states a real melting pot of culinary culture. 

Elements of Tex Mex
 
Chili:  Chili peppers of every shape size and level of heat are treasured by the Tex Mex cook. Few Tex Mex recipes are without a chili in some form or another but if you like things a little milder you can always vary the amount you add to your recipes to suit your own taste. The more chili peppers a person consumes, the more they become immune to its heat so you may find that in time you add more and more! 

Smoking:   A smoky flavor is typical of the Tex Mex taste. Achieve this by using smoked spices (paprika for example) or by barbecuing. Cooking on a barbecue is just right in the spirit of Tex Mex cuisine, add woodchips to get that smoky flavor just right. 

Beans:  Don't worry about the kind of beans! If you have one kind in your kitchen cupboard and not the one called for specifically by the recipe you are making,  don't worry, just throw in the beans you have and chalk it up to your own ingenuity! Beans are incredibly popular in Tex Mex cuisine and you will be using a lot of them throughout this course but feel free to experiment and even use local variations to give your Tex Mex food a local twist that your guests will really appreciate. 

Cheese:   The course makes use of cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, feta cheese and parmesan cheese. While Monterey Jack is really quite crucial to the flavor of the Tex Mex tradition, feel free to experiment with other types of cheese to get different flavors and textures. Similarly, some recipes do not include cheese but you may feel they would benefit from a dash of cheddar or parmesan here or there. Use your own initiative! 

Eggs:   Omelettes, quiches and egg batters… eggs are easy to obtain and quick to cook and so they are as popular in Tex Mex cuisine as they are in many other culinary traditions. Try to buy good big free range eggs or check if there are any local people who keep chickens, it can be surprising how much better local eggs can taste and even in cities chicken-keeping is increasingly popular these days. 

Corn; sweetcorn can be added to many recipes to bulk them up in much the same way that beans are used. Sweet corn will sweeten up any dish and add a succulence and texture that goes very well with the spiciness of Tex Mex food. Cornbread can be a great addition to any Tex Mex recipe and corn flour will thicken up any sauce.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.4 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(348 votes)

Lesson 1: Tex Mex Cuisine

Tex-Mex cooking is a combination of Mexican and Texan cultures. Over the space of many generations the recipes and ingredients have evolved to create a style of dishes that brings excitement and flavor to the dinner table. 105 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment: What is Tex Mex Cuisine?

Lesson 2: Classic Tex-Mex Recipes

This lesson gets us off to a flying start with a classic Mexican dish with a great Tex-Mex twist. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment: Introduce Yourself to Some Tex Mex Classics

Lesson 3: Salsa, Rice, and Cheese

Serve this delicious salsa with any Texan, Mexican or Tex Mex dish to liven it up or simply serve with toasted tortillas or nachos to enjoy the tomato and chili flavors that burst through. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: Make the Side Dishes- Salsa and Mexican Rice

Lesson 4: Pasta

Texan cooks have a range of pasta recipes that have been adapted to suit the preferences of the Tex Mex fan and this lesson looks at just a few wonderful pasta dishes. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment: Tex Mex Pasta!

Lesson 5: Tex-Mex Flavors

This lesson has a real mix of flavors to keep you learning about how typical Mexican and Texan ingredients interact with one another to create a vast range of different effects. Additional lesson topics: Tex Mex Layered Salad 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment: Different Tex Mex Flavors

Lesson 6: Guacamole, Beans and Quesadillas

This lesson takes on one of the most popular Mexican exports in the form of Guacamole and then moves on to take you through the process of making one of Tex Mex's greatest success stories; quesadillas. Additional lesson topics: Tex Mex Black Bean Dip 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment: Make some Quesadillas .

Lesson 7: Beer Battered Fritters, Pizza, and Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

This lesson takes you through three new recipes, each of which looks at Tex Mex cuisine in a slightly different way. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment: Beer Battered Fritters, Pizza and Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Lesson 8: Nachos, Beef and Chipotle Pasta, and Corn on the Cob

This lesson will take you through some of the most popular Tex Mex specialities! 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment: Corn on the Cob (Tex Mex style)

Lesson 9: Chimichangas, Potato Bake, and Baked Chicken

This lesson takes on some more substantial recipes and by now your knowledge and experience will encourage you to experiment so feel free to add to the dishes. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment: Chimichangas

Lesson 10: Chili

This lesson is all about chili. We begin with a recipe that has become a favorite worldwide and perhaps symbolizes the Tex Mex philosophy. Additional lesson topics: Tex Mex Food Dictionary; Tex-Mex Meatballs 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment: All about Chili

Lesson 11: Marinades, Soups, and Potatoes

Lesson 11 is the final lesson that deals with food recipes before moving on to have a brief look at Tex Mex beverages in lesson 12. Additional lesson topics: Tex Mex Pork Ribs 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment: Ribs and Potatoes

Lesson 12: Beverages

This lesson winds down with a focus on the drinks popular in the Tex Mex world. Choosing what to drink with spicy food can be difficult but this is a brief guide to some popular beverages that will suit some of the recipes you will be enjoying in the cour 140 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Let us know what you think of this course; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment: The Right Beverage
  • Complete: Final Assignment: Put it all together and Make a Tex Mex Feast
  • Complete Assignment: Final Thoughts
445
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe Tex-Mex cuisine.
  • Demonstrate classic Tex-Mex recipes.
  • Demonstrate making salsa, rice, and cheese.
  • Demonstrate making pasta.
  • Describe and recognize Tex-Mex flavors.
  • Demonstrate making guacamole, beans and quesadillas.
  • Demonstrate making beer battered fritters, pizza, and stuffed cherry tomatoes.
  • Demonstrate making nachos, beef and chipotle pasta, and corn on the cob.
  • Demonstrate making chimichangas, potato bake, and baked chicken.
  • Demonstrate making chilli, marinades, soups, potatoes, and beverages.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Tex Mex Cooking 101
Course Number: 8900301
Lessons Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars (348 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.
Last Updated: March 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.8 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Nancy Fillip
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $95.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Thank you for your input at learning how to put together a Tex Mex meal. We had fun every Wednesday night for the last few months. Although omelets were our favorite, we enjoyed every meal. Thanks." -- Diane S.
  • "There was a variety of recipes and techniques. I also appreciated the choices for each lesson." -- Diane S.
  • "Instructor very easy to relate to. The lessons were easy to understand, and gave many great recipes." -- Vickie W.

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