...keeps the doctor away (if not exactly true, I like the idea). My dad used to tell us that people who eat lots of good chile won't get heart disease (another fantasy). Wherever the truths lie, I love chile and have, for the most part, missed good old New Mexican style green chile while I've been in California these last 6 weeks.
It's not exactly the reason I've returned to Taos for this week, but it sure was near the top of the list. As I drove up from Albuquerque Sunday afternoon, I set a goal for myself: green chile for lunch all five days I'm here. So far, I'm three for three. Dad would be proud of me.
If you're ever in our area, my favorite green chile is at Abe's Cantina in Arroyo Seco (on State Road 150 just below the Taos Ski Valley). They are open for breakfast burritos and lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00ish weekdays (closed Sundays and only limited food service on Saturday mornings). Their chile is just chock full of (surprise!) chiles that they roast each fall when the new harvests come in, as opposed to the rather thin-sauce green chile from another restaurant I go to in El Prado for smothered cheese burgers. There, you see only the occasional piece of chile bobbing around in the watery base, and while it tastes good, it should not even be considered in the same category.
If you have a favorite place for green chile in NM, I'd love to hear about it!
13 comments:
I love green chile and just got back from a little trip to NM recently. Last year during my visit I had some great green chiles at La Boca in SF. The SF School of Cooking also has a great recipe for green chile enchiladas. My mom makes it every time we visit the area! Yum!
Got your email today. I sure hope we can meet in person in September. Wouldn't that be cool? Can't wait to try some Taos cookin'!
xo, Sheri
Liz: Thanks for the tips! I'll see if I can find that recipe for the enchiladas. Right now I'm trying to find a good source for ordering the frozen, roasted, Hatch green chile on line and have it shipped to CA so I won't be deprived while I'm there...
Sheri: I know, I would be so excited to meet you. I have so many blog friends I've made and it's a dream to be able to meet them all one day. It's truly a small world here on line, isn't it...
Abe's gets our vote. We were regulars during our time in Taos. Let me know if you find a good source for shipping green chile.
I would love to suggest "Maria's" of Santa Fe. This restaurant looks like a bit of a dive, but the food is simply marvelous. Al Lucero has a great Margarita Book - I have bought several copies for friends. I don't know which is best ---- the divine fresca margs or the food! Enjoy.
Ter'e: Thanks for that!!! I have heard Maria's is great. I am ashamed to say I have never been. On the rare occasions I end up in SF for a meal, my husband likes to go to Thomasita's, which is OK but doesn't drive me wild like it does some people (it does, however, solve my incessant craving for sopaipillas). Thanks for taking time to write! Martie
Martie:
I have now read thru your entire blog. How delightful. You gave me sights and scenes to look at and think about that were well out of my norm. Thank you so much. I am a California gal, displaced in Florida........and I sure do miss all the wonderful things I used to eat. My hubby and I made a trip to NM a few years back and I discovered the fabulous taste of their Green Chilis. If you find a reputable place that ships or a salsa you can't do without, I'm sure there are lots of us that would love hearing about it. I simply crave green chili, eggs and fresh tortillas!!!!! BTW, I checked out Leona's for chili/salsa and I think I may give her a try.
Thank you for such a dreamy, wonderful blog to escape to. It is now in my Top 10.
Dear Ter'e: Wow! I'm honored you took the time to do that. I have done that with a few blogs...I love "getting to know" someone, rather than walking into the middle of the story. Leona's is awesome; I didn't think to check and see if they have a web store, thanks for mentioning it. I buy little packets of green chile from the grocery in Taos from 505Chile.com, and I know they sell on line and ship all over...check 'em out when you can. I am craving the roasted green chile from Bueno (comes in pint containers, frozen, in Taos) but so far, haven't found anyone who would ship it. I found one web store in NM that used to ship good chile, but stopped because they got burned from people who wouldn't pay in full for their orders (very annoying...a few rotten people always mess it up for the rest of us). Anyway. On tortillas, I would think you could get good ones in Florida? Where in California are you from???
Hi Martie:
I have actually tried the 505Chile. I had forgotten about that company. I've been searching around the 'net and have found a couple places to order their chilis/salsa from and will see what I can come up with. I found where I could order 5 lbs. of fresh Hatch chilis, but I had to give a little giggle as I can only imagine what that would do to my "belly". 5 lbs. would take care of my whole neighorhood. LOL.
I can get fresh tortillas from a local Mexican Market - and they are delicious. They offer fresh made corn and flour tortillas. I also can buy tripe there, so I can make my beloved menudo. My husband does not share my love of this, tho. (there is no denying the smell of it cooking).
I was born in San Francisco, but raised in Buena Park, Fullerton, Anaheim and San Diego. In my latter teenage years, I was raised by foster parents and my foster mom lives in El Cajon. I was with her in the 60's. Matter of fact, I just got home from San Diego, after a wonderful 4 day visit with her. I am so blessed to have her in my life. She's 78 now. I'm.......haha.....not quite that age yet! :-) San Francisco is still my all time fav place to visit. What a beautiful city.
So good to meet you thru your blog. I just love it. You open up all the senses and let us enjoy your world.........I love it.
Ter'e: OMG!!! I adore menudo!!! I was born in East L.A. and lived there until 1966...then moved to San Diego county. You've got to guess that with a name like Moreno, I grew up eating this stuff...you have to be born to it, I think...I've seen few people learn to like it if they weren't. Oh well...more for us!!! I no longer have anyone (my son) so share it with, so I don't make it...just find it in restaurants here and there or buy it in cans for a quick fix. Wish we could have had a visit when you were here in San Diego! Martie
Martie:
You really make me smile! In 1965, I was attending Anaheim Union HS. In 1966 I was living in SD. By 1967, I was in Oxnard.
One of our MUST DO STOPS in SD is:
http://www.bazaardelmundo.com/guad2006.shtml
What fun. I love anything related to Day of the Dead and had so much fun shopping here......not to mention, eating the beloved Mex food! Small world is it not? Carpe Diem Girlfriend! (ok, I shall clam up and let you continue)
Ter'e: Write me privately if you have time! martie@taossunflower.com Cheers, Martie
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