Chile Pepper High

Super Bowl - The World's Best Chicken Nachos

I really don't give diddly about football or the Super Bowl. That said, Bill and I still watch parts of it and take the opportunity to make some not-so-good-for-us ooey gooey food. I am not much of a cook but I have two specialties - Moroccan Stew and Chicken Nachos.

I think my chicken nachos are the best - in the world! Something this good should not be horded, so here is how I make them.

I start with a bag of large corn chips - the larger the better. I prefer blue corn.

The key to these nachos is in the layering of flavors and the fact that every nacho is fully loaded.

Layer 1: Brown ground chicken, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and cayenne pepper. I often start with the onions and get them to the stage of being lightly caramelized. Lots of onion. Set this layer aside and allow to cool a bit (so that it is warm, but not hot). Just before you assemble the nachos, drain off any excess liquid (a little is fine) and then mix in sour cream (low fat is fine here and you won't noticed the difference).

Layer 2: Make a papaya salsa with fresh papaya, hot peppers like jalapeno or green chilies, cilantro, lime, a tiny bit of olive oil, and sweet onion. Everything should be chopped fine so it spoons well onto the nachos.

Layer 3: Provolone cheese, sliced as thin as possible.

Put on the oven's broiler and get ready to assemble!

Spread out the nice big corn chips on a cooking sheet with curled edges facing up so that the chip acts as a vessel for the layers. Put one heaping tablespoon of the chicken mixture, followed by one tablespoon of the papaya mixture, followed by a thin covering of the provolone cheese (one layer of cheese). It goes fastest if you put all the layer 1 down, then layer 2, then the cheese.

Broil the nachos until the cheese melts and is bubbly.

Serve right away with a variety of hot sauces for those that like a super spicy kick.

YUM! If you try them, tell me how you like them. Seems like a lot of work for nachos, but they will be the hit of the meal.

Poetry from David Baker

I received a nice note from Chile Pepper reader David Baker, who writes poetry with a southwestern theme. I asked him if I could share one of his poems here and he said yes! You can see this and other poems on this site, Canyon Lands & Borderlines.

Big River
by David Baker

Aspen leaves floating, each a golden coin, made treasury of the river.
Wet salt grass, leaf mold perfume her banks,
Oxidized shapes undulate in currents, beneath her silvered surface.

Never one to deny her Identity, She flows southward to a sad fate.
Her soul will twist with insults, she must endure.
Poisoned, made fat with waste.

But, here in the mountains of her birth, her fate is unknown.
She carrys a golden cloak on her back.
She is still free.

Mother Moon gazes fondly on her daughter's singing.
She sings to her mother, to ease her passage across the sky.
Full of joyous chants, and soft lullaby's.

I crossed the river called Rio Grande last night.
Her real name kept secret.
With a solitary note, an Owl marked my passage.

Native Flute in Key of G

1      The manual advises
        play in a tiled shower
        to sound like a
        concert flautist.

        Make up songs,
        control your spit,
        cover the holes
        completely.

2      Carlos Nakai
        does not play
        the flute it plays
        through him.

        Long, low, whistling
        winds of sadness,
        call to the departed.

3      Bending the note
        with your breath
        tonguing, trilling.
        Vibrato drills drama.

        Hold top lip solid
        bottom soft to
        manage exhalation
        and smooth control.

4      The earth needs
        to hear songs,
        respond.

        Flute made
        from trees
        connects people
        to their nature.

The Art and Discipline of Painting - Jon Conkey

Jon Conkey is an artist who lives in Mora, New Mexico. I have shared his unique blog called, Themeworks, a few times. Jon creates one small painting per day an posts the painting on the blog. He started in April 2006 and has committed to doing a year's worth - 365 paintings.

I recently checked back in with Jon to find out how things are going over at Themeworks. Here is our Q&A, with several of his paintings spread throughout. Good stuff!

Lisa: Why did you start Themeworks? What purpose did you hope the site and the discipline would serve?

Jon: "Themeworks" was started to serve as a record of my progress in the art of oil painting. As a life-long artist who had always applied my talents elsewhere, (basically, where I could get paid, offering my skills as a service), oil painting had eluded me entirely. I knew if I could complete 365 paintings in one year, I would gain the elusive knowledge of oil painting much quicker, while also, overcoming motivation blocks,  gaining a genuine flow of creativity, and learning to approach subjects with little prior knowledge.

Lisa: You are half way through the 365 days. How are things going? Are you getting the value you had hoped?

Jon: I would say things are excellent! Themeworks receives daily International attention , runs near the top 10% of "Topartsblogs" and "Blogtopsites".  Before, I used to worry about keeping up with the paintings, or ruining a piece after working on it all day.  Now, I only look forward to my daily creation, and what breakthrough awaits around the next corner, literally! In addition, I have acquired a palette to achieve any color note, I have learned to draw with my brush, and have achieved a working method that enables me to move quicker, and achieve a more desired result (technique).

 

Lisa: What are you doing with all your little paintings?

Jon: Well, they are all for sale directly from my blog www.jonconkey.blogspot.com by emailing me jon@jonconkey.com, some go onto my website www.jonconkey.com.  Sold paintings are labeled on the blog, and sizes are given next to the work (generally), prices start at $250. and go up from there.  The paintings have only recently begun to sell, inquiries have come from all over the World, mostly from other artists. One collector purchased 5 works, and some nice commissions have come in as well. I am hopeful this is a sign of things to come.

Lisa: Once the 365 days are up, what then?

Jon: I have thought a lot about that. I will continue to produce work, not everyday however, I will slow down a bit and focus more on slightly larger works. I will put more into each piece; instead of just painting a subject, I will produce a more complete work; one that reflects all that I have learned in the preceding year.  Hopefully, I will have made somewhat of a presence for myself in the art world; at least the blogging community will know me!

Lisa: Do you have a favorite painting? What is it and why is it your favorite?

Jon: Actually, I have two, one portrait, #109 Olive Complexion, and one landscape, #172 Harvest Moon. First #109,  when I realized that mixing the background color into the actual subject made the subject and background one element.

Secondly #172, because it was the beginning of me realizing to use more paint (thicker) in all my paintings; I never realized I had been painting "too thinly" in many of my past works (for my preference only, as many masters paint thinly). I finally recognized that this is what I really liked about most of my portraits; the "thicker looser" looking paint, it was also what I really liked about my most recent landscapes. These two paintings, for me, were the "jewels of enlightenment" for all this work so far; and are the "benchmarks" for those to follow. They are of the quality I want in my future works from here on out. By hitting on it naturally through experimentation, I was able to recognize it and make it a conscious practice; part of learning oil painting is to "recognize what you are doing right", sometimes easier said than done.

Amazing Coyote Oldman Double Album

I love this album from Coyote Oldman called Rainbird, or should I say two albums. The CD set includes two CDs - one is dark and moody and one it light and lyrical. Coyote Oldman features Native American flute player Michael Graham Allen. Allen also makes beautiful concert quality flutes.

Chile Peppers Helps You Lose Weight!

Not that we need ANOTHER reason to eat chile pepper with every dish, but this Arizona Republic article called, Chile Pepper Could Aid Weight Loss, is an interesting and hopeful read. Here's a snippet:

What advocates claim: The capsaicin found in chile peppers is believed to be the agent responsible for the peppers' beneficial effects. It's the same substance that makes chiles spicy, so the hotter the chile, the more potential benefit. Some maintain that chile peppers aid weight loss by increasing metabolism. Peppers can support a healthful diet by adding flavor to otherwise bland foods, and they put the brakes on appetite. Anyone who has ordered a dish from a Thai menu with a three-pepper rating can tell you that it's hard to overindulge on a meal with that much heat. What's more, eating chile peppers releases endorphins that make us feel good.

As my husband says, "another spoonful of chile couldn't hurt." Go three stars today!

Silver City Big Ditch Park

SilverCity1.JPG
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

I have loaded up a few pics from my visit to Silver City, NM. Click on this one to see the others in Flickr.

This is taken in Big Ditch Park which was created after a flood came through the downtown area. This park is one block off the historic downtown area, so if you go, be sure to take a stroll through this cool place. Wear bug spray.

Podcast with Apache Guide and Activist Joe Saenz

JoeSaenz.JPG
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

MP3 File

I had the the opportunity to take a three hour hike with Apache guide Joe Saenz, who operates his business, Wolf Horse Outfitters out of the Arenas Valley in New Mexico (not far from Silver City).

Joe shared about the history of the area, the history of the Apache people, and the natural environment. The hike was very fun and interesting.

After the hike, Joe and I sat down to record this podcast where he share a bit more about his business, the Chiricahua Apache, and about the upcoming Red Paint Pow Wow. It's a great podcast, enjoy!

I have loaded up seven pictures from the Fort Bayard Elk Refuge, where we hiked. Just click on Joe's picture to see the others on my Flickr page.

I will be writing more about my conversation with Joe in future posts and articles, but I did not want to wait to share this with you. If you can, please support the Red Paint PowWow and consider attending it. And if you would like a great wilderness trip, I would recommend you chat with Joe.

Native American Flute at Bear Creek

This is a RAW practice sesson of my flute playing along the banks of Bear Creek in Gila, NM. I think I got the name of the flute company wrong in the podcast. It's High Spirits Flutes.


MP3 File

Hatch Chile Festival!

Hatch4.JPG
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

I have loaded up seven pictures from the Hatch Chile Festival with descriptions. Click on this picture to to go my Flickr site and see the pics.

Taken while in Hatch, New Mexico for the Hatch Chile Festival - September 2, 2006. Roasting Big Jim Green Chile Peppers - Yum! People would buy a bag or half bag (the half bag was $15, $25 for the whole) and then they would be roasted. Then they take home their roasted chiles in a plastic bag, peal the burnt skin off and then freeze or use them or make green chile sauce to smother your enchiladas.

Hummingbird of the Day - Painted

I offered a couple pictures of Rufous Hummingbirds a two days ago. I must admit, I have a soft spot for their coloring - very southwest!

Well, here is a nice painting of a male Rufous (notice the large red patch under the chin) from New Mexico artist Jon Conkey. Check out this and other paintings here (small one per day site) and here (his main site):

River Rocks

they’re born as boulders
not puny little rocks
slammed against others
fractured and ground round

they come from mountains
grand, tall, large, in command
crash down bust open wide
stumbling stone tumble weed

thrust up from the earth’s core
each range reveals a story
energy of eons compacted
proud glimpse of the inner heart

river rips, mills, and collides
unrelated rocks slice and smash
boulders to pebbles to sand
edges sanded soft round

sun bleached and crowded
on a ride always losing more
self as water drives pries
away the mountain range

we are all river rocks sloshing
down life’s path smoothed
by time rammed into each
other made round and small

spawn pebbles set off
grains collect and harden
sink into the hot inner core
molten souls waiting to be born

WhiteSands21.JPG

WhiteSands21.JPG
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

I couldn't resist!

WhiteSands25.JPG

WhiteSands25.JPG
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

I put up another 15 photos from White Sands to Flickr. These are all numbered WhiteSands21-34. This is from my morning visit and the lighting is much more moody.

White Sands National Monument - Photo Batch 1

WhiteSands11.JPG
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

I just uploaded 20 photos from my afternoon visit to White Sands National Monument. Click on this picture to be taken to Flickr to see the others.

I LOVE this place and am going back for more tomorrow morning.

White Sands National Monument - part 1

This 7 minute podcast was recorded atop a gypsum dune at White Sands National Monument.


MP3 File

Blue Front Café

The window A/C unit is screeching
nonstop at the dive on route 180,
Glenwood. Best of the three
food dives in this five block town.

Nice lady brings me a vat of iced
tea and I pour in a cup of sugar.
Says she doesn’t want me to go
home thirsty – no chance of that.

Got red chile today they were
out last time and had green instead.
Nice lady asks the three people
eating if they got enough to eat.

Peeling old wallpaper held up with
cheap framed art, one says, beef it’s
what’s for dinner, one has pink hibiscus
that don’t grow in these parts.

Chalkboard lists today’s homemade
pies, coconut crème and carrot cake
which isn’t a pie but it’s on the sign.
Nice lady brings red chile enchiladas.

White cowboy hat man is cutting
hay today. Hoping it doesn't rain
later. Nice lady says winter will
be cold according to the almanac.

Cook chats with white cowboy hat man,
swinging a blue fly swatter up and down.
Nice lady asks if I had enough to eat.
Cowboy hat man has a vat of tea, one dollar.

I feel guilty leaving so much undrunk
tea so I gulp it, which I will regret down
the long twisty road back to the casita.
Nice lady smiles.

Casita de Gila

Casita de Gila
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

Here's another shot of my casita at Casita de Gila. I snapped this mid-day, as I was coming back from lunch at the Blue Front Cafe in Glenwood (about 35 miles north of Gila). Red Chile Chicken Enchiladas with an egg. Yum. Anyway, I noticed the mountain glowing in the back as I came in and captured it on "film."

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

This is a female Rufous Hummingbird. Notice the pretty iridescence under her chin and on her back.

Rufous Hummingbird 2

Rufous Hummingbird 2
Originally uploaded by Lisa Haneberg.

Here is another shot of this pretty female Rufous Hummingbird. She is posing. I think this is a female because the male has more red under the chin and is not as greenish on his back.