New Mexico Foods (Santa Fe: camps, cheaper, modern)

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by domino

I roast them and then freeze them with the skin, stems, and seeds still intact. I peel as I go when I get them out of the freezer. It makes the whole process a little less intimidating when dealing with large volumes.

I did this for years, then I later started removing the stems prior to roasting. They stored better this way, and when they were home-roasted right, the skins slipped off like a glove when they thawed.

If the skin is too charred (as drum roasting often does, as well as home), they're a lot messier to peel.

I'll pick up a few fresh chiles at Walmart later....and see how well the freezing raw works!

[Michelle1210]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

In years past, I used to order my green chile by specific variety (usually half NM 6-4 and half Sandía) from Las Uvas Produce in Hatch. I'd roast about 40 pounds stovetop....it took awhile, but it was worth it in the end.

Last summer, I bought a 25-lb box of mild green chile from Hatch, and the chile was fairly fresh and decent...BUT......I had it roasted on the spot at Lowe's....took it home....and vacuum-sealed it....and into the freezer.

I made a pot of green chile stew for supper...and while it is good, I really don't care for green chile roasted this way, even though it is a convenient time-saver.

The drum roasting cooks the chile too much for me....the charred skin is harder to get off....and the chiles are slimy and too soft.

I have tried quick frying them...and while this works well for chiles that you are going to use immediately, it's not so great when you want to bag and freeze for the season. Deep, quick frying them preserves the great color, and the chiles stay fairly fresh and firm......but you can taste the grease when you thaw them, even though you peel them before bagging.

I guess I'll be doing them by hand next season, so I can have a thick, fresh chile...rather than an overcooked, slimy one...

*SIGH*

I am considering buying a small home drum roaster....has anyone here ever
tried one?

I roast my chiles by cutting the stems off and putting them on the bar-b-que, I use charcoal grill. Then I pack and freeze

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Michelle1210

I roast my chiles by cutting the stems off and putting them on the bar-b-que, I use charcoal grill. Then I pack and freeze

It does give them a wonderful flavor, doesn't it??

I picked up a few fresh chiles (they were BEAUTIFUL) at Lowe's today....and put them in the freezer.

I'll thaw and roast....to see how they turn out in a few days!!!

[jsc23]

Just went back through the thread to make sure... but no one has mentioned Frito Pie
Pancho's in Pecos makes a great one- get it with red

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jsc23

Just went back through the thread to make sure... but no one has mentioned Frito Pie
Pancho's in Pecos makes a great one- get it with red

You mean they serve Frito pie (I am assuming this is a pile of Fritos topped with chili [as in TX bowl of red], onions and cheddar cheese) in restaurants???

The only time I ever had a Frito pie was at concession stands at football/basketball games in Texas....!!

[jsc23]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

You mean they serve Frito pie (I am assuming this is a pile of Fritos topped with chili [as in TX bowl of red], onions and cheddar cheese) in restaurants???

The only time I ever had a Frito pie was at concession stands at football/basketball games in Texas....!!

NM style is a pile of fritos, topped with meat, choice of chile, cheese, onions and "garnish"- chopped lettuce and tomato. A little more "healthy" than the slit bag dolloped with a ladle of Texas Red (I grew up in the Panhandle... don't fergit you get it at rodeos,too... a year 'round concession treat)

Had some for lunch today at JB's Original Tortilla Cone on the Las Vegas Plaza, they do a good red but use canned cheese- lose ten points

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jsc23

NM style is a pile of fritos, topped with meat, choice of chile, cheese, onions and "garnish"- chopped lettuce and tomato. A little more "healthy" than the slit bag dolloped with a ladle of Texas Red (I grew up in the Panhandle... don't fergit you get it at rodeos,too... a year 'round concession treat)

Had some for lunch today at JB's Original Tortilla Cone on the Las Vegas Plaza, they do a good red but use canned cheese- lose ten points

Canned cheese??? LOLOLOL!!!

[jsc23]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Canned cheese??? LOLOLOL!!!

Yeah... the shortcuts people choose astound me. Why used canned when you can get real cheese pre-shredded at about the same cost?

Pancho's in Pecos is an NM classic. It is the Shell station at the state hwy crossroads. You order with the station clerk and the food is made fresh to order. The kitchen is spotless, the food is fresh and well prepared- the place is a little gem. They serve their Frito pie with your choice of beef, grilled chicken, beans or- no kidding- tofu. They are only 30 miles from Santa Fe...

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jsc23

Yeah... the shortcuts people choose astound me. Why used canned when you can get real cheese pre-shredded at about the same cost?

Pancho's in Pecos is an NM classic. It is the Shell station at the state hwy crossroads. You order with the station clerk and the food is made fresh to order. The kitchen is spotless, the food is fresh and well prepared- the place is a little gem. They serve their Frito pie with your choice of beef, grilled chicken, beans or- no kidding- tofu. They are only 30 miles from Santa Fe...

They do aim to please, LOL!! That does sound tasty, though, minus the tofu, which has no taste.

[MaggieBelize]

Oh man, now I'm craving a Frito pie!

I've just posted a Green Chile Stew recipe on my blog. This is my own “local gringos” version of New Mexico green chile stew, diverging from traditional recipes in two respects: I add potatoes, and I don’t use tomatoes. (Why would a green chile stew be red?)

Anyway, it's here: Local Gringos: Postmodern Pioneers: What’s For Dinner? Local Gringos’ Green Chile Stew ... comments welcome!