Green Chili Cheese Fries

Inspired by a local restaurant, where the best dish to order was a green chili cheese fry. It came smothered in green enchilada sauce and topped with melted cheddar cheese... 

Since I am not in the habit of eating at any restaurant these days, I thought I would share my version of the green chili cheese fries. With photos...

Paco's Biscochos

Paco's Biscochos

Also known as Biscochitos, New Mexico’s Official State Cookie. 

We are on a quest to revive holiday traditions from both of our families. The cookie tradition has been a bit of a challenge since we do not have Mom's recipe. 

I have tasted many different kinds of biscochos over the years, and have never really been a fan of biscochos because of the star anise. I never had the opportunity to have one of Mom's biscochos. 

We are building our recipe off Tonie's memory of Mom using frozen orange juice, rolling the dough into balls, and smashing them between the palms of her hands. Tonie has that memory of tasing orange juice in her cookie; that when you take a bite and suck on it, it just tasted so soft, juicy and dissolve-in-your-mouth good. 

Last year's trial was not quite right, but this year (2022) I think we have tweaked, tested and came up with the best biscocho ever! 

Like my Mother-in-law before me, I do not use anise in my biscochos. 

Update 2025: I made three batches this year. I have tried using gluten free flour and a Splenda/sugar blend to make the Biscochos for a friend and they worked out well. I have also tried a batch with the Splenda/sugar blend with regular flour and we loved that as well. 

Great-Grandma Sophia's Poppy Seed Kolaches

Paco’s Remake Kolaches

Based on Great-Grandma Sophie's Poppy Seed Kolaches Recipe

Makes about 2 dozen Kolaches

Paco's Pork Pozolé

I just had this recently, and hit the spot!!! I've also made it with beef and chicken. You can always add more or less of any of the ingredients.

2 - 3 pounds of pork, cut into bite-size pieces

4 to 6 c chicken stock - depending on how soupy you want it

1/2 medium onion, diced

1/2 head shredded cabbage

3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced

2 c red chili sauce (the kind that comes frozen)

Fried Rice, Beef & Veggies

Tonight's Dinner: Fried Rice and Beef with random veggies

I used cabbage and carrots because that's what I had in the fridge AND they needed to be used! But this can be made with any veggies, really - fresh, canned, frozen - just pick two. I've made it with any protein too - chicken, pork, beef & shrimp - just cook to recommend temp before eating.

Berry Sweet Cream Cake

The cake was first introduced to me several years ago when my parents bought one for Tonie’s birthday. It was the best cake I had ever eaten (and I don’t like cake!). In and on the cake, there was an array of berries: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries – Let me tell you – It was delicious!

And to top it off, the icing wasn’t that heavy, sugary, thick goop you usually find on the bakery buttercream cakes.

Since then, there has been a couple of trial and errors in my endeavor to make the mouthwatering cake for myself, and I am happy to share with you my results! I am by no means an expert cake decorator or baker, but I do like to have a little fun!

I am calling this a Berry Sweet Cream Cake, not because it is full of sugar and super sweet, but because there is hardly any sugar in the icing and that makes it an awesome treat for those who don’t want a super sweet treat! 

Now, That is Sweet!

Because this cake is made of real cream and real fruit, the refrigerator life is not that long (honestly don’t know how long because it is so delicious, there is not much to refrigerate afterward). I have had great success when the cake is made the day before it is eaten.

Critters

Critters are best if grilled over a charcoal grill. Bacon fat creates a lot of greases and will cause a gas grill to catch on fire.