(c) NewMexico.org
How is New Mexican different from Mexican? New Mexican cuisine (from the state of New Mexico) is different from Mexican cuisine (from Mexico, the country), at least in theory.
New Mexican cuisine melds native American foods—like blue corn and squash along with traditional Spanish/Mexican ingredients like chile peppers, wheat flour, pork. Menu items might include a Navajo taco (using traditional and delicious frybread instead of the corn taco), and posole (a corn hominy stew), as well as the state favorite green chile stew. New Mexican tends to use more whole beans than refried beans.
Sopaipilla are often served in both restaurants. These puffed, fried dough is eaten split or with a corner bitten off and drizzled with honey. They are also served stuffed (with meat, beans, cheese and chile sauce). But few meals come without sopaipilla.
Perhaps the most important difference is the use of green chile in New Mexican dishes.
The state question - Red or Green? In New Mexico, chile peppers are used to make two different sauces - red and green. This refers to whether a red chile (fully ripened) or a green chile (not quite ripened) is used as the basis. Because there are two sauces, wait staff will ask, “Red or green?” Although green is preferred by many, the response “both” is absolutely acceptable.
Green chile is made with chopped roasted chiles, while red chile is made with chiles dried and ground to a powder.
Chile or chili? Chile must be the most popular food in the state. But chile is not the same as chili. Chile in New Mexico is the pepper. Chili is the spicy stew of meat, beans and red chile powder.
Green chile sauce is used with as a topping for almost any dish. And sliced chile can be found on everything from burgers, to bagels.
And, drink a margarita along with it. Now, that’s living.
Learn more about chiles at: http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/
Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/offbeattravel
Enjoy my new National column on Offbeat Places
(c) Neala Schwartzberg, all rights reserved
Comments
I am the biggest fan of New Mexico chili powder and I order it online from...where else? New Mexico of course!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!