There are three rules to live by: Never play cards with a man named Doc, never sleep with someone who has more problems than you and never eat at a place called Mom's---except this one.

Photography by Dave Siemer

I make some form of calabacitas every week and take it stuffed in a tortilla for lunch. Here's one of the  neighborhood's potluck recipes. It has good intentions but it's middle of the road ingredients make me yearn for real green chili and chunky veggies. 3 TBL butter 6 Calabacitas, cut into cubes 1 TBL chopped onion 3/4 c. milk 2 tsp salt 2 green peppers, ...

Raymond was the butcher at the Sunshine Market at 12th and Central before George picked up the knives. Retired but still cooking, Raymond served this up every Christmas Eve at the Knights of Columbus Hall. 1 # lamb 1 c. raisins 1 tsp Allspice 1 small glass sweet wine 1 small onion 1 pint water 1 TBL sugar Cut meat in small cubes and boil 1 hour in ...

This was considered the "glamorous" version of the Saturday night special. 1 medium bell pepper, chopped 2 medium onions, chopped 1 clove of garlic, chopped 3 TBL olive oil 1 PKG frozen peas, cooked 3 c. water pinch saffron 1 Medium frying chicken 1 1/2 c. rice 1/2 small can pimentos Saute pepper, onion, tomato and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add water, saffon and 1 clove. Add chicken and ...

When you get invited on the spur of the moment to a potluck in the tiny New Mexico town of Truchas, you need fast food. This one uses leftovers and Lucy's not-so-secret ingredients: 4 cans from her pantry. 2 c. cooked rice 1 small can of mushrooms 1 can of beef consomme 1 small can Ortega's chopped green chile 1 can french fried onions Mix all ...

When anyone put on airs in my downtown neighborhood, people said "they think they're from Santa Fe." This recipe for albondigas would have qualified. 1 1/2 # ground round steak 2 eggs, beaten 2 TBL ground corriander seed 1 TBL black pepper 6 TBL blue cornmeal 1 clove garlic, chopped 2 TBL salt 1/2 onion, chopped Mix all ingredients gently. Shape into balls the size of a robin's egg. 4 ...

This version of Albondigas takes a few more steps than Fiesta  Albondigas but produces a lighter meatball. 1 # ground round steak 4 slices bread soaked in milk 1 egg 1 chopped onion 1 large clove garlic, chopped 2 qts of boling water 1 TBL fat 2 TBL flour dissolved in cold water Soak bread and mix with meat, egg and salt. Shape into balls the size of a ...

Easy, fast and ready in 20 minutes, Mom's green enchiladas are a family New Mexican favorite using the traditional cream of chicken soup. What can I say? When I do this in a professional kitchen, I make my own soup base to use. Some things are just too good to change much. Yield: 6 servings Baking Time: 25-30 minutes Temperature:  350°F 10 ounces cream ...

The cranberry sauce served with last week's Orange Buttercream cake was pefectly in season. Oregon cranberry growers have started showing up  with their bags of berries at the windy, chilly Farmers' Markets.  Brave the elements and pick up some coastal cranberries for your Thanksgiving feast.