santa fe: red or green

first stop: Santa Fe’s oldest restaurant, Plaza Cafe. on tap: Sierra Blanca Roswell Alien Amber Ale.

the historic diner is located downtown in the original location where it has continued to serve New Mexican cuisine since 1905. When asked ‘red or green’ go for ‘christmas’ to get a mix of both the red chile and green chile sauce. If I lived in NM, I would want it to be Christmas every day.

on my plate: Pork Menudo: hominy stew with cabbage, onion, lime and cilantro.  Served with chile and a flour tortilla.

winter walk on the plaza square after lunch to view the beauty of The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The Cathedral Bells rang just in time for us to see a bride walk through the doors to get married exactly 6 months to the date of our wedding day!

santa fe: lights & liquor

morning mimosas to start our trip off right.

in-flight screwdrivers. round 2. keep the complimentary drinks coming.

christmas in santa fe.

love & lights.

agave margaritas at our fav bar, the agave lounge.

Bon Appetit’s Agave Margaritas

2 Tbsp. agave syrup

1/4 c tequila blanco

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Kosher slat

2 lime wedges

1. Pour some kosher salt into a small dish. Rub 1 lime slice over half the rim of an Old Fashioned glass (if you prefer your Margarita on the rocks) or a coupe glass (if you prefer it up). Dip rim of glass into salt.

2. Combine tequila, agave syrup, and juice in a cocktail shaker; fill with ice and shake well. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with second lime slice.

this man is no old-fashioned.

santa fe christmas.

i’ll have a glass of chardonnay, please.

shops in the seasonal spirit.

summer solstice social

Summer is here and it is time to serve your guests the tastes of the season. Celebrate the longest day of the year with fresh fruit from the local farmer’s market and herbs picked right from the backyard garden. This featured appetizer and sparkling drink will make guests remember this social as the party that made the sun stand still.

Fried Polenta with Veggies

1 package of polenta, sliced
Seasonal vegetables, sliced
Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Mushrooms, Jalapeno, Corn, Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Avocado, Artichoke Hearts
1 sweet bulb onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 tsp mustard
1/4 c  and 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of Pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Cook polenta over medium-high heat in medium-sized pan with 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil until golden. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place polenta on paper towel to removed excess grease.
3. Place all desired vegetables, onion and garlic on foil-covered baking sheet. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper over mixture. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. In separate bowl, combine mustard, 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Coat cooked veggies in mixture. Place vegetables on top of polenta and serve as appetizer.

Sparkling Vodka Sipper

1 part sparkling water

1 part vodka

1 part orange juice

15 oz. can of sliced peaches, undrained

Seasonal fruit, sliced

Mangoes, Blackberries

1. In a large pitcher, mix sparkling water, vodka, orange juice and undrained can of peaches.
2. Place sliced mangoes and blackberries in individual drinkware. Pour sparkling mix over fruit and serve chilled.
3. Serve with Name Skewers and enjoy!

Party Skewers

1 Package of Wooden Skewers
Craft tape

1. Cut tape in 2-inch pieces. Place top of skewer in the middle of the tape and fold the outer sides of tape together.
2. For Name Skewers: Have guests write their names on tape and place in drinking glass to avoid drink mix-ups.
3. For Party Skewers: Write appetizer name on tape or leave blank and use different prints for different appetizers.

mason jar lemonade

click for how to video

Party in a jar. Be the best hostess by never refilling guest drink glasses. Take in the trend that is all over Pinterest by investing in a few dozen mason jars. Create that perfect summer lemonade, drop in some frozen lemon wedges and screw the lid on for an easy summer drink guests can grab right out of the cooler.