Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Red Hot

Frijoles Canyon

You may have thought that I was (finally) finished posting about my New Mexico trip, but you'd be wrong! I will spare you the ton o' photos that I have and every last detail, but suffice it to say my final destination was Bandelier National Monument, 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa country that contains evidence of human presence (i.e. pueblo structures/kivas and petroglyphs) that dates back over 11,000 years. So, yeah. I'm still posting! 

Bandelier National Monument

Me in a Kiva

Before my departure, I stocked up on some local red chile powder so that I could try my hand at making the red chile sauce so prevalent in Santa Fe. There is some discussion about what is traditional (chile powder ONLY) and what isn't (the addition of cumin and oregano for instance). I say, just make it the way you like it. The red chile sauce police are probably out drinking margaritas, so do what you want!


Tina's New Mexico Red Chile Sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
1/4 teaspoon oregano (optional)
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup pure red chili powder
3 cups low sodium broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)
1 teaspoon salt


1. Add the oil to a saucepan and cook the garlic for 1 minute over low heat. Add the cumin, oregano and flour and cook until the mixture bubbles and the flour begins to brown, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes.


2. Meanwhile in a medium bowl, whisk the chile powder and the broth until smooth. Add to the flour mixture along with the salt. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a low simmer, whisking frequently, and cook gently for 15 - 20 minutes, until the mixture has thickened slightly. (Chile can burn easily and impart a bitter flavor so cook slowly, stirring frequently.) The sauce will keep for one week refrigerated and can also be frozen. Use to make enchiladas or to drizzle over anything that needs an extra kick. Makes 3 cups of sauce.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Breaking Bad Part 2


So back to my own personal Breaking Bad episode minus the meth...Over my recent long weekend in New Mexico, I spent a morning horseback riding in Cerrillos, NM, a location found along the historic Turquoise Trail, at the Broken Saddle Riding Company run by cowboy Harold. (Is that a run-on sentence?) My ride for the day was Watson, a Tennessee Walker with a proclivity to snack along the trail, which apparently is against NM laws because the ground cover is so fragile. (Overgrazed dryland pasture may never recover.) During the fabulous 2.5 hour ride I got to know when Watson was trying to fake me out when he was like, "Hey, quick, look over there! I'm just going to have a taste while you're not looking." I don't think so, my friend! Harold sized the riders up right away (and is very diligent about pairing one's weight and abilities with the appropriate horse and is not afraid to ask you to step on the scale...or so he said). He paired our abilities appropriately so that we were not left to languish on a very long horse saunter, and were able to vary our walking speeds, along with racking and cantering. It was super fun and a terrific way to see the back country without fear of stepping on a rattlesnake. I felt compelled to ask about the local rattlers but was told that it was too early for them to come out, but wouldn't you say that to your city girl client, too?

Broken Saddle Office

Watson, my ride

Broken Saddle's unbroken saddle
Me and Watson just chillin'
Broken Saddle Tchotchkes

Cowboy Harold
Broken Saddle Rocker
Broken Saddle Hitching Posts
Christmas at Atrisco

Monday, May 13, 2013

Breaking Bad Part 1

Scenic from Tent Rocks, NM

Once again I have been occasionally cooking (i.e. NOT cooking). I can't help it! There are so many places to go, see and do! Hello! I've just returned from a long weekend in New Mexico, where incidentally, I saw both Sarah Silverman and Allison Williams, not together but still. Random, I know.

There was a LOT on my weekend agenda including hiking, horseback riding and copious amounts of food and drinks. After arriving in Santa Fe with my travel pal, we headed straight to The Shed for a red chile lunch topped off with a margarita(s). Santa Fe is an excellent food town and the local red and green chile sauces to be found around town are not to be missed.

This is slightly out of order for my actual weekend, but the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (40 miles SW of Sante Fe near Cochiti) was high on my list of priorities. (And heart breaking as I left my camera OUT OF MY DAY PACK!!! Please make due with my camera phone photos. Oy.) After a volcanic explosion, oh... 6 - 7 million years ago, weathering and erosion have created canyons and tent rocks ripe for exploring. Check. It. Out. One of the best hikes. Evah.


Santa Fe Municipal Airport, New Mexico


Carne Adovada Plate, The Shed, Santa Fe


Approach to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument


Tent Rocks, NM


Tent Rocks, NM


Tent Rocks, NM


Me at Tent Rocks, NM


Tent Rocks, NM


View from the peak of the hiking trail at Tent Rocks, NM