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.

When we were sick, we could count on this for supper. The other version of this was called carnulo. An unopened can of sweetened condensed milk is simmered in water for 4 hours to produce the best every caramel. Of course, there's always a chance that the can will explode so we never got carnulo at home. 4 c. milk 1/2 c. ...

Called a “poor man’s candy”, this recipe is now pricy due to the cost of NM pinon nuts. Nuts from China or Europe have a curious reaction for some people, making them lose their sense of taste for days. Our pinons don’t do that but they also cost twice as much. unless you  harvest your own. 1 TBL butter 1 c shelled ...

Mrs. McCann lived next to me when I rented this great duplex on 14th and Fruit. She grew tomatoes in dozens of white plastic 5 gallon buckets and used them in everything. 4 TBL salad oil 1 # zucchini squash, washed and cut into 1/2" rings 2 tsp sugar 12 oz frozen whole kernel corn 2 Large tomatoes, cut into 8ths 1 tsp salt dash coarse black ...

This version of Calabacitas is sort of like a guilty pleasure. Bacon and beef fat? It tastes it sort of like a version of braised kale or mustard greens. Only better since it's made with green chile. 3 strips of bacon, cut into pieces 1 Pkg frozen corn 1 small onion, chopped 1 Tbl finely minced beef fat 2 # fresh cut Zucchini-Italian squash 1/2 c. ...

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, ...

We only had store bought candy on Sundays after Mass. There were a lot of sweets around, just not ones labeled and wrapped. 1 medium pumpkin, cut small 1 pint water 2 TBL powdered lime 1 cup water 2 c. sugar 1 tsp cinnamon or crushed peppermint stick Soak pumpkin overnight in water with powdered lime. In the morning, make syrup of 2 c. of sugar and 1 ...

Liver was served to "build up the blood" in the spring. Mrs. Duran's version beat the "cook until it becomes shoe leather" style. 1 1/2 # beef liver, sliced 1/2 " thick 4 TBL bacon drippings, 4 tomatoes, sliced thick 1 tsp salt 4 onions, thinly sliced 2 c. water 1 TBL chile powder Fry liver in drippings until brown on both sides. Remove from pan and cut ...

This is about as exotic as steak ever got in my neighborhood. 2 # round steak, 1/2 " thick 2 lemons or enough juice to cover meat 1/2 c. bacon fat 1 large onion, minced salt and pepper Pound steak thoroughly. Marinate in mixture of lemon juice, onion, salt and pepper for  3 hours. Fry in hot fat about 3 minutes on each side or as ...

Mrs. Vigil told me stories of the wild asparagus that grew in the irrigation ditch behind her house. In the 50's in Old Town Albuquerque, this dish was served at all the bridge club and upscale lunches. Cut oof one inch of the root end. Tie together and place n sauce pan, cover with boiing wate and boiluntil tender. Keep the ...