Huevos Ranchero with "Christmas" Sauce
Here a no-frills huevos ranchero - as are most in local restaurants. No sour cream, or fresh salsa - certainly no garnish. Always with rice and beans and smothered in chili. This restaurant is from 1950 - the dining room for the motel (sign in background) across the street....which is still functioning - but I don't see a AAA sign. And this is on Route #66.
In New Mexico you have a choice of red or green chili - or both - called Christmas . The famous New Mexico green Chile is actually an Anaheim chili, or close cousin, grown all over New Mexico - but the famous locale is Hatch, NM, a village in the south near Las Cruces. The Green Chili is roasted, deseeded, then pureed....then used on the typical green chili cheeseburger or made into a sauce for smothering. The Red Chili is the same chili left on the vine until it ripens, and slightly dry - then it is ground and moistened with water to make a flowing sauce . The renowned red chili comes form the area around Chimayo in the north. Sometimes there is a choice of corn or flour tortilla...corn more traditional. The beans are usually very plain - tho not from a can - the seasoning coming from the chili . This version of rice was more a Spanish rice - not so typical. The whole panopoly of tastes comes together well...but you need it all. It is comfort food of the first order for New Mexicans.....I am working on it!
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