Had a Merry Southwest Christmas

As mentioned in a previous post the extended family Christmas had a Southwest theme this year. Our new tradition of the last few years is to celebrate the Saturday after Christmas so that everyone can do their own thing on Christmas and then come together more relaxed. That said – we are also all tired of ham and turkey by then so I thought now that all of my family lives out in Sunny Arizona (at least during the winter) we should celebrate the season by embracing the flavors of the South West. We had to make multiple versions of items due to some members of the family’s desire for a lot of heat in their food and some members who refuse to have a pinch of pepper added! Also, putting this post together I realized I forgot to take a picture of the Southwest peach/mango cobbler baked in the donkey shaped pan and since it is all gone I can’t do a re-do. It was yummy though let me say! Here are some pics of dishes made by . . . . . hmmm . . . . . all the ladies of the family. Well, I guess the guys did build and keep stoked the holiday fire pit outside in the fabulous AZ weather. Oh and as a p.s. side note we discovered my brother doesn’t like this type of food. He ordered a pizza with out telling us and had it delivered to my house to the suprize of all of us when the knock came on the door. Well each to his own right!

Mango Citrus Punch

Guacamole - I think mom may have actually licked the bowl!

Spicy Chiplotle and Green Chili Salsa (only 3 of us dipped into this)

Warm black bean/corn dip - seriously good - mmmmmm

chili and sugar crusted dried mangos

Tamales from the Tamale Store - kind of a disapointment I wish I wouldn't have praised so much in an earlier post

Pan of corn enchillandas

Three bean chili

Southwestern Beans

Taco Pie

Peach Mango Salsa

December 27, 2009labfive Leave a comment

Fine, I give in Santa

After the short one told me a week or so ago that I was “ruining it” and that she “gets to have magic too” I realized I had to back off on my anti-consumerism. My compromise on the Santa front had been to tell her that yes there was a Santa but that he focused on giving toys to boys and girls whose mom’s and dad’s and grandma’s and grandpa’s couldn’t afford to buy them gifts. I explained to her how lucky she is to have so many grandma’s and grandpa’s that would be giving her gifts. I wanted her to understand that gift giving was about love and consideration not writing out a list to a stranger who would drop some loot overnight! Fat chance – she is a kid surrounded by other kids and TV and all the consumerism crap that tells her to ask for stuff and to believe in Santa. Fine – you win short one I give in – Yes, Santa will be stopping by our house. She told me we’d have to be quick and build a chimney. I told her I’d leave him a note that the front door was open and he could just pop in that way. So it’s Christmas Eve and while I got my pleasure out of cooking the most amazing roast beast ever along with roasted vegetables (thank you Barefoot Contessa) She was thrilled to make cookies and leave a plate, with milk for Santa. The tall one in the house stayed out of it all and was happy that his Christmas wish came true with a batch of burned cookies. Only burned cookies say Christmas to him, anything without crusty black on it is just considered raw. So the short one got her Santa, the tall on got his burned cookies, I was filled with pride at my Christmas Eve dinner. All is right with the world. Now to start the “Santa” production once the short one is asleep – that will be another post. For now here is how the Eve went.

Cookies for Santa - decorated by the short one

Cookies - burned for the tall one. He is happy!

Cookie for Santa - decorated by the short one

The short one put out cookies and milk for Santa. She will find and empty cup, a plate with crumbs and a note in the morning.

Perfectly roasted vegtables. Perfect!

Perfect Roast Chicken with new potatoes and onions

December 25, 2009labfive Leave a comment

Have Yourself A Merry Local Christmas

It’s a Southwest Christmas. This idea seemed easier then a turkey or ham for 12. So the day after Christmas December 26, I will celebrate the Holiday with the family. The kick off for this themed event started by placing an order with the best Tamale joint in town – The Tamale Store in Cave Creek. Since my family has such varied tastes and several of them won’t eat so much as a speck of pepper on their food, I had to order several different kinds to please everyone from the sweet and savory to the spicy for the few brave ones. The Tamale Store sells at many of the farmers markets around town. I scheduled to pick my order up at the Phoenix Market on Wednesday night. This was my first time going to the Phoenix Market at night. It was cold but that really made it feel like a “real” chilly winter night. You can take the girl out of the midwest . . . . The new indoor section of the market was hopping with wine, cheese and chocolate tastings. I picked up my tamales at the last stop, thankfully, because I think I may have over ordered. The bag weighed 25 pounds. Nothing wrong with left over tamales – mmmmm . . . . Here are some shots of the downtown Phoenix Market.