New Mexico Taste the Tradition Holiday Lookbook
Supporting New Mexico Farmers, Ranchers, and Agribusinesses.
Jeff M. Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, photographed with wife, Janet Witte
New Mexico – it’s such a magical place, full of unique agriculture, arts and crafts, cuisine, spirits and so much more! Combining our state name with each of these brings back memories of fun family gatherings, special trips to unforgettable places, and our special cuisine, all filled with our great, one-of-a-kind New Mexico charm.
Welcome to the third edition of the New Mexico Taste the Tradition Holiday Lookbook! As you dive into the 2024 edition, let your memories and imagination take you deep into our state’s heritage. Generations of New Mexicans have created the food products, as well as the arts and crafts, featured in this shopping collection. Simply click on the product images to gain access to all that makes New Mexico special, especially during the holiday season. Explore gifts for party hosts, family and friends, or maybe pick out a little something for yourself – it’s all readily available, and easily accessible through each website link. This lookbook highlights authentic New Mexico products, and all of the companies you see within the pages that follow are members of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s free NEW MEXICO – Taste the Tradition and Grown with Tradition Logo Program.
We hope you enjoy the magic of a very local, very New Mexican holiday shopping experience, that’s made easy and fun through this Lookbook. My family and the NMDA family wish each of you a special time spent with family and friends.
Happy Holidays!
Jeff M. Witte New Mexico Agriculture Secretary
Stocking Stuffers
A. Snugglecubs Cookies - The Cloudcroft | B. Sierra Blanca Brewing Co. - Ginger Ale/Root Beer
C. Enchantment Gourmet - Hatch Spice | D. Pearson Ranch - Snack Sticks
E. Worthington Farm - Pecan Lotion | F. Santa Fe Gourmet Coffee - Vanilla Hazlenut
G. Rio Grande Snacks -Pistachios | H. Taos Bakes - Cosmo Nuts | I. Southwest Popcorn and Candy Co.
A. Elixir Chocolates - Timmy Krack Korn Puffs | B. Heart of the Desert - Popcorn
C. Chili Crop - Chili Powder | D. Pete’s Provisions - Popcorn-Pistachio
E. Worthington Farm - Pecan Lip Balm | F. New Mexico - Piñon Coffee
G. Rancho Duro - Green Chile BBQ Sauce | H. New Mexico Quality - Red Chile Chips | I. Gilly Loco - Salsa
Gifts for Her
A. Elixir Chocolates Gourmet - Chocolate | B. BeHempful - CBD Body Lotion
C. Cowboy Creations - Candles | D. Heart of the Desert - Biscotti
Gifts for Him
E. Señor D’s Nutz - Variety | F. Enchantment Gourmet - New Mexico Hot Sauce
G. El Pinto Scorpion Salsa | H. Brenda’s Perfect Brittle
Gifts for the Kids
A. Worthington Farms - Butter Pecan Syrup | B. Route 66 - Sodas
C. Snugglecubs Cookies | D. Rio Grande Chili Co. - Potato Chips | E. A-Bee Honey Farm
F. Kinna’s Kitchen All Natural | G. Three Sister’s Kitchen
Gifts for the Healthy at Heart
3rd Place
Gifts for the Cook
A. Worthington Farms - Premium Pecan Oil | B. Hatch Chile World - Fire Roasted Green Chile Salsa Hot
C. Enchantment Gourmet - Hatch Taco Hot Sauce | D. Cannon’s Sweet Hots
E. Riptide Spice House - Marinades/BBQ Sauce | F. Red Doc Farm - Pinto Beans
G. Chimayó Traditions - Spice and Mixes
Chile Relleno Rings
Ingredients for battered rings
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Start with the green chile. Decide how wide you want the ring, then cut it to that width. I find 1/2” thick is ideal.
In a medium bowl, add beer and eggs, then beat them thoroughly.
Add dry ingredients and whisk until mixed thoroughly with no lumps.
Set aside.
STEP 2
In a medium sauté pan on medium to high heat, add oil.
When oil is hot, add a small drop of batter to the oil; if it bubbles and floats to the top of the oil your oil is ready.
Add all chile rings to the batter and individually add rings to half the pan.
Once one side of the rings are golden brown, flip rings with a fork to other side.
Once both sides are crispy and golden-brown, remove from oil and place on a paper towel.
Ingredients for cheese sauce
2 T
2 T
¼ t
1 C
2 C 1 t unsalted butter all-purpose flour salt whole milk shredded sharp cheddar cheese red chile flakes
Instructions for Cheese Sauce
1. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter on medium heat.
2. Once fully melted, add flour and whisk until it forms a paste.
3. Add milk and bring to a simmer.
4. Add cheese.
5. Cook and stir until the cheese is fully melted.
6. Add chile flakes and stir.
7. Remove sauce from heat and pour into a small bowl.
8. On a large platter or plate, place both the sauce and rings.
9. Serve and enjoy! Watch Our Recipe Video!
Delicious in a Dash
A. Santa Fe Seasons Chile Powder and Mixes | B. Tia Rita’s Mixes
C. Chili Crop Mixes | D. Fiesta on the Go Mixes | E. Valencia Blue Corn Pancake and Waffle Mix
F. El Pinto Green & Red Chile Sauces | G. Weck’s Green & Red Chile Sauces
Gifts for Wellness
Jingle Jams Delight!
A. Santa Fe Seasons Preserves
B. Worthington Farm Jams
C. Heidi’s Jams
D. Cibolo Junction Preserves
Gifts for Mom
B. Heidi’s Frozen Ice Cream
A. Laundry and Herbs Lavender Farm
Gifts for the Adults
A. Gilly Loco - 12oz Classic Margarita
B. El Pinto - Cocktail Mixers
C. Santa Fe Mixes - Cocktail Mixers
Gifts for the Adventurer
A. Pearsons Farm Jerky
B. JR’s Beef Jerky
C. Old Santa Fe Trail Beef Jerky
D. Casa Blanca Beef Jerky
E. Vigil’s Beef Jerky
Salsa the Season: Spice Up Your Christmas Celebrations!
A. Hatch Chile World Salsa | B. Gilly Loco Tortilla Chips | C. Sadie’s Salsa
D. New Mexico Sabor Salsa | E. Ol’ Gringo Salsa
2nd Place
A. El Pinto Salsa
B. Black Market Salsa - Belligerent Batch
C. Aztec’s Salsa
D.¡Ándele! Restaurante Salsa
E. New Mexico Salsa
1st Place
A. 505 Southwestern Salsa
B. 505 Southwestern - Hint of Hatch Tortilla Chips
C. Santa Fe Ole Salsa
D. Mesilla Valley Salsa
E. Young Guns Salsa
Baked Acorn Squash with Pecans and Blue Cheese
Ingredients
Chef notes:
Recipe provided by:
Chef Jon Young
Taste the Tradition
Chef Ambassador
Directions
1. To prepare this dish, first preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cut your squash in half and deseed Place the two halves on a baking sheet (cut side up) and place a ½ T butter in the center of each of the halves. Place in the oven for 30 minutes (or until they are soft to the touch).
2. Remove squash from the oven and let rest for one minute. Place your squash halves in a serving bowl.
3. Drizzle honey on both squash halves. Add chopped pecans, crumbled blue cheese, and drizzle pecan oil over pecans and cheese. Remove rosemary leaves from one of the sprigs, chop finely and sprinkle over your squash. Use your other rosemary sprigs as garnish. Serve while warm and enjoy.
This super easy quick recipe is loaded with complex flavor. It’s packed with savory sweetness and loaded with texture. With this dish you will get everything your taste buds want. 1 1 C ½ C 2 T 2 T 2 1 T acorn squash pecans blue cheese pecan oil honey sprigs rosemary unsalted butter Watch Our Recipe Video!
Apple Galette
Ingredients for the crust
1.5 C 1 T
3/4 t 10 T 4-6 t
all purpose flour granulated sugar kosher salt cold, unsalted butter ice water
DIRECTIONS
CRUST METHOD
1) Dice the butter and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
2) In the bowl of a food processor, place all of the dry ingredients.
3) Using the pulse button on the processor, pulse the butter into the flour until it is in pea-sized bits.
4) Turn the flour-butter mixture into a bowl.
5) Drizzle a few tablespoons of the ice water into the bowl and begin to mix.
6) Keep adding a little bit of water until the dough resembles wet sand (compactable, but can be broken up very easily).
7) Turn out onto a worksurface and fold the dough on itself to help form layers of dispersed butter (it should be somewhat cohesive at this point).
Recipe provided by:
8) Flatten the dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for at least four hours, or overnight. Chef Jordan
Isaacson
APPLE FILLING
1.5+
5 T 1 T 2 t 1 t
1/2 t 1/8 t 1/2 t
baking apples
brown sugar
lemon juice
cornstarch
cinnamon, ground
ginger, ground salt
vanilla extract
FINAL ASSEMBLY
1 egg
1 T apple jelly
water as needed
coarse sugar as needed
DIRECTIONS
1) Remove the pie dough from the fridge and allow to temper for 15 minutes.
2) Roll out the dough into a 13” circle, transfer to a parchment lined sheet tray.
3) Scoop out the apple filling, leaving excess juices behind, and place in the center of the dough.
4) Spread out the filling, leaving 2” around the edges.
5) Fold the reserved 2” of dough over the fruit, repeating around the circumference, pressing gently to secure the dough.
6) Move the gallete to the fridge.
7) Preheat the oven to 375°.
8) Whisk one egg with 1/2 teaspoon of water and brush over the unbaked crust.
Watch Our Recipe Video!
9) Sprinkle the sugar over the washed crust.
10) Bake until crust is dark and golden and fruit is bubbling, about 50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.
11) While it cools, whisk the jelly with 1 teaspoon of water and microwave for 20 seconds, brush over the apples.
12) Allow to cool before slicing into 8 slices.
This holiday season, let love and flavor simmer together!
Red Chile Braised Beef with Fixings
Chef Jordan’s family favorite holiday dish, Red Chile Braised Beef with Fixings, is a comforting and flavorful centerpiece for festive gatherings. This succulent chuck roast is infused with a vibrant sauce made from a blend of dried red chiles, onions, and spices, delivering a slightly spicy and savory flavor. Served alongside warm tortillas, rice, or beans, this hearty dish evokes cherished memories and brings loved ones together during the holiday season.
Create Your Ideal Gift Box
