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 ...

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 ...

Yield: 20 servings Baking Time: 30 minutes Temperature: 400°F 1/2 pound apples , peeled and chopped 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups water 2/3 cup shortening 3/4 cup sugar 4-6 tablespoons ice-cold water 2 cups flour 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1. Place apples in a medium-sized saucepan and cover with water. Cook at medium heat until fruit is soft and water evaporates. 2. Add to apples, cinnamon, ...

Competition for the best Bischito is brutal around Christmas time in New Mexico. The older women in my Old Town neighborhood offered bribes for votes. I always voted for Jennie who lived in the house next to me. I was no fool. Her bischitos weren't the best but the tamales she bribed me with were better than Mom's. Yield: 5 dozen Baking ...

Mom uses Uncle Ben's Long Grain Rice. I use organic basmati brown. It's yummy either way. Yield: 10-12 servings 1 cup rice 1 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups water 3 eggs, separated 3/4 teaspoons vanilla 1 tbl flour 2 cups evaporated milk 3/4 cups sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1. Combine the rice, water, in a large saucepan. Bring the water to a boil at high heat. Cover saucepan. 2. Reduce heat to ...

These have to be the best thing ever. Hot, flaky, crispy deep fried goodies drizzled with honey. Ahhh, New Mexico. Yield: 4 dozen 4 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder 4 tbs shortening ¾ cup warm water Vegetable oil 1. Combine dry ingredients and cut in shortening with pastry blender or two knives. Add water and mix well, working dough until smooth and it holds together. Cover ...

This is another one of those treats that only show up during the holidays. Dough 2 Tbl.sugar 3 cups flour, approximately ¼ tsp Salt 1 tsp baking powder ¼ cup shortening 1 egg Shortening for deep frying 1. Into large bowl, add first five ingredients and  mix well.  Add egg and enough water to mix. Knead until   satiny smooth. 2. Place enough filling in center of each rolled out circle ...

Down at the corner of Hanley and Rte. 238 is a small strawberry field. Originally destined to be plowed under and lost, restoring the field has become a project of one of the Thai families that have moved to Southern Oregon. The resurected fields still produce some of the best berries, outside of my own, and due to a late ...