My favorite guidebook for New Mexico .... and other New Mexico, NM General Tips

Favorite Thing: "Touring New Mexico" is a wonderful guidebook w/ 18 tours included in it's chapters. Each tour offers a different view of this beautiful state. 2 of the included tour chapters are specific for Albuquerque and Santa Fe. the remaining 16 tours provide information on how to do a partial tour in a weekend, or a longer tour.

The tours include local cultures, events, as well as natural wonders. One chapter even has an event calender w/ contact information that allows the traveler to investigate various events that one might find interesting ....

I highly recommend this book for travelers entering NM for the first, or 20th time - as well as for us locals ;)

Fondest Memory: Details:
"Touring New Mexico"
Authors: Arango, Chilton, Chilton, Dudley & McEnearney-Stelzner
University of New Mexico Press
ISBN: 0-8263-1622-0

I bought mine at the local Border's Book store for less than $15.00 ........

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Favorite Thing: New Mexican food is different from other ethnic food that have 'Mexican' in their name.

New Mexican food is a combination of Mexican, Spanish and Native American cuisine. Tortillas, pinto beans (frijoles), papas (potatoes), ground beef, sopapillas, and chile are found on all New Mexico restaurant menus.

A variant of the usual tortilla out here is the blue corn tortilla ... it is sweeter than standard corn tortillas, smooth to the palate and a wonderful ingredient of local enchiladas (tortilla, cheese, onions, and a meat if you choose). One thing to be aware of though .... if you take your blue corn whatever home to re-heat for later, the blue leaches into the cheese and turns the cheese a terrible grey color :) Still tastes great, just don't look at your plate and you'll be fine.

Sopapillas are a variant of Native fry bread (sometimes called Indian Fry bread). It is light and airy and deep fried. The oil's heat works with the batter to create a large air pocket in the batter. So when it arrives at your table, they look like little pillows ..... don't lay your head upon them though - rip them in half and smother the insides w/ the honey on the table. Then you eat this wonderful local treat :)


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Favorite Thing: A variety of cultures has led to unique art forms and culinary treats. One such local treat is the use of chile .... hence our state question: Red or Green? that diners are asked almost everywhere ...... you'll be offered chile on your eggs, burgers, steak, chicken, and just about everything you are served.

The two local styles of chile are unique to New Mexico and refer to red or green chile ;)

Red chile has a sharper flavor, and I find it more hot than flavorful.

Green chile is addictive (I'm convinced it's somehow related to THC). It has a richer flavor and is usually more mild than the red. But some green chile is so hot your hair will stand on end.

'Christmas' is a phrase to use when you want BOTH red and green chile on your meal - most of my friends prefer this mix over having to choose :)

Of course, if you are a wimp like me - order your chile choice 'on the side'


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