Growing up, spicy foods were not one of my favorite flavor profiles in dishes. I tend to avoid cuisines that use bold spices and ingredients such as curries and moles, and that 'jerk' anything. As my palate has become more advanced, I am now able to tolerate some heat and add some punch to my food. Speaking of which, the cuisine of the Southwestern region of the United States has truly become one of my favorite cuisines. The flavors are bold, the use of indigenous ingredients and the cultural blends make its food what it is. In this article I will explain more closely the history of Southwestern style cooking, as well as the different states and foods that originate from these Southwestern regions, which make up its cuisine which includes Texas (Tex -Mex), New Mexico (New Mexico) and Arizona (Sonora). To begin, I'll talk about the history of Southwestern-style cooking. The Southwest received much of its influences from Spanish settlers, Native American and Mexican tribes during the early colonization of America. These influences spread not only throughout the Southwest, but also into areas of southern Utah and Colorado. The settlers adopted many native customs, one of these tribes being the Navajo. The first crops were beans, chili peppers, avocados, corn and tomatoes. These vegetables and legumes are now known in many Southwestern-style dishes. Spanish settlers brought the ingredients of cheese, lard, and rice, and over time, influences from Mexico and the "cowboy" lifestyle influenced much of the Southwest. New Mexican cuisine is most popular in the Southwest, followed by Sonora style, which is popular in Arizona ("American Southwest cuisine"). Then I will get into the...... middle of paper..... .2014, from http://www.mapsofworld.com/pages/mmmerica/united-states-of-mmmerica-cuisine-of -the-southwest/Kitchen. (nd). In northern New Mexico. Accessed May 4, 2014, from http://www.frommers.com/destinations/northern-new-mexico/261197#sthash.N24a7DDk.dpbsFoods of New Mexico. (2011, August 5). New Mexico Foods. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from http://www.dchieftain.com/2011/08/05/foods-of-new-mexicoThe Food Timeline History Notes - State Foods. (April 24, 2014). Historical Notes on Food Timeline: Indicate the foods. Retrieved May 4, 2014 from http://www.foodtimeline.org/statefoods.html#arizonaThe history of Tex Mex cuisine, of course, in Texas! (nd). The history of TexMex cuisine, of course in Texas! Accessed May 4, 2014, from http://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/cuisines/international_cuisine/the_history_of_texmex_cuisine_in_of_course_texas.html