Aunt Candy's Spanish Rice

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound Mexican Pork Sausage or plain pork Sausage

• 1/2 chopped large green pepper

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 2 cups cooked rice

• 1 Tablespoon Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix (Mild, Mild Medium, A Little Hot, or Howling Coyote Hot, depending on taste)

• 14.5 oz. can diced or crushed tomatoes

Cook sausage in frying pan until brown.  Lift out sausage with slotted spoon and set aside.  Discard all but one Tablespoon of the fat.  Saute green pepper and onion in fat until onion is transparent and pepper is soft.  Stir in all ingredients until well mixed.  Turn the mixture into a greased baking dish and heat at 350 degrees until mixture is bubbly and moisture is absorbed, about 20 minutes. 

Can be made ahead, covered with foil, and refrigerated.  Heat at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes before serving.  Serves six.

Two-Chile Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 Large Eggs
• 1/4 Cup of Mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 12 jalapeno slices
• 1/2 teaspoon Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix (Chipotle)

Place 6 large eggs in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them by 1 inch.  Bring to boil.  Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 12 minutes.  Drain and run under cold water to cool.  Peel the eggs and cut in half lengthwise.  Transfer the yolks to a small bowl and mash with 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon each of fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.  Spoon the yolk mixture into the egg whites.  Top with a jalepeno, and sprinkle with Chipotle Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix.

Enjoy!

Snow.....lots of it

And piling up on the mountain right where it belongs....the skiers are happy and so am I. Here at the cabin we have had snow in nice 3 to 4 inch increments, very manageable. And......at night the "snowplow fairy" has run up my road ......so life has been good. We follow the weather reports then make a dash to town to get supplies so we are ready when a storm hits. We also make sure the Visitor Center, Cid's Market, Taos Cookery and Artisans Gallery are stocked with Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix. We've made some stir fry dishes and added a sprinkle of chile spice mix. We also added a little to a meatloaf we made with elk and sausage. Nothing like a snow storm to bring some creative ideas to the table. Presidents' Weekend the temperatures were warmer so the Gorge Vendors were out in force. Lots of visitors were on hand so it felt like maybe the worst of winter was behind us. You can't say we haven't paid our dues. We weathered several weeks with temperatures way.....below 0. What's next? Spring Break.......I predict: snow on the mountain, sunshine, blue sky, and a little Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix for your tacos, burritos and enchiladas.

Frito Pie for Christmas

Young, old and in between love chili made with Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix....then it's a short trip to a Frito Pie.

Greeting

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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Update

A storm is brewing. After a lengthy tourist season it seems ok to sit by the wood stove and wait it out.  Of course we've been to town for groceries, made sure the Visitor Center, Cid's Grocery, Taos Cookery, Artisans Gallery and Ojo Mineral Springs are stocked with Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix, and stashed the lawn furniture in the shed.  I now have time to reflex upon feedback that I'm getting from my customers.  A sincere thanks to "My Hero" who cleaned the corrosion off my battery post and got me going again, and to the other guy who told me to wrap my bungee cords so they wouldn't scratch my car, to the lady who wants more recipes, the man who wants a larger size,  the customer who wants Hint of Chipotle on the "Menu" and the one who wants it hotter.  I'll be working on all of this, especially for the guy who told me he came all the way from Maryland for Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix and the lady and her daughter who must have bought chile spice mix for everyone in their family.  I may have missed some of you out at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge this summer as I took an extended trip to Washington State to visit my family.  My parents are in their 90's.   I'm so thankful for them.  Its because of them I can do what I do.  They taught me to love life and especially nature...that is why I love my "office " at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the people I meet and the people that work with me.  Even though the temperatures are dropping the sun will be out soon and you'll find me with my chile basket full of Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix.  If you can't make it for ski season, I'll look for you next summer.  If that doesn't work I'll be here ready to take your order.

Vendors Move to West Side of Bridge

It was a great ski season with fresh powder right on cue.  I stayed pretty close to home keep the fire going and shoveling snow off the porch. Of course we had to keep something tasty on the burner which means lots of chile beans, carne adovada, cornbread with butter and honey topping, salsa, breakfast burritos,  posole, tacos, fried potatoes, soups and stews with Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix. We had to have the road plowed twice, called the tow truck once, and visited the doctor a couple times and then it was spring break.  The weather has been warmer than usual and I have seen a few of you at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.  For those of you that found us on the west side of the bridge, we probably filled you in on our vending status that went from dismal to hopeful.  If you want to know the details google Taos Gorge Bridge Vendors or look at the Taos News in December.  Otherwise let's talk chile, Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix, that is. That is something that hasn't changed.  On beautiful weekends you will find me at our new site....unless I am on family duty which can take me to Bow, Washington, Waco, Texas, Irvine, California, or even Greece. I probably told you about my family when we talked out at the bridge. Remember you can find Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix at the Visitors' Center, Cid's Market, Taos Cookery, Artisans Gallery and now Ojo Caliente Mineral Hot Springs. It would be terrible to leave New Mexico without good chile, Rio Grande Chile Spice Mix, that is.