An Inspired Cook

An Inspired Cook
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    • Blackstone Foil Packet Potatoes

      Posted at 12:50 pm by NativeNM, on July 25, 2025

      Last summer I started making foil packet potatoes on the grill. It’s an easy way to make crispy sliced potatoes with any number of seasonings. This summer I’ve traded in the grill for the Blackstone griddle and they are just as tasty and easy to make. Using a mandolin makes every slice precisely the same and allows them to cook evenly. If you don’t have a mandolin, you can slice them by hand, just try to slice them thin and as even as possible. The two packets pictured above have different seasonings; the left packet is sprinkled with a salt, garlic, and black pepper blend. The right packet is seasoned with Joe’s KC French Fry Seasoning. There are numerous season combinations that would taste fantastic on these crispy sliced potatoes. Create the taste that compliments your entree; perhaps a grilled burger, steak, chicken or smoked ribs.

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      Posted in Blackstone Griddle, Recipes, Side Dishes | 2 Comments | Tagged Blackstone Griddle Potatoes, Foil Pack Potatoes, Joe's French Fry Seasoning, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que Burnt Ends, Thin Sliced Grilled Potatoes, Thin Sliced Potatoes on the Griddle
    • Williams Lake via Taos Ski Valley

      Posted at 3:30 pm by NativeNM, on July 1, 2025

      When the weather gets hot in NM we go north. On this weekend even Jemez and Santa Fe were too warm to go hiking so we ventured up to the Taos Ski Valley where it is more mountainous and the temp was a cooler 68 degrees. We spent a 12 hour day with 6 hours on the road and the rest exploring the area and a beautiful hike to Williams Lake. The trail starts around the north and east side of the Taos Ski Valley. We walked along a mountain stream and took a few moments to capture the wildflowers that are in bloom. It’s an out and back trail estimated to about 4 miles. We didn’t see many folks on the way in but when we got there we found several groups of families or friends taking in the picturesque view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. We stopped by the Taos Ski Valley on our way out and found it was not at all what we expected. The Taos Ski Village is filled with resorts, condo’s, restaurants, small shops and markets. It’s a popular destination for snow skiers with Taos Ski Valley being rated among the top 10 in the US. It is known for having a challenging terrain for expert skiers as well as moderate and novice ski runs. It’s quite the tourist scene in the winter month’s covered in snowfall but the summer is when the locals venture out to enjoy the trails filled with wildflowers, flowing streams and mountain lakes.

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      Posted in Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged adventure, hiking, nature, New Mexico, Taos Ski Valley, Taos Ski Village, Travel, Williams Lake, Williams Lake New Mexico
    • Philly Cheesesteak

      Posted at 12:47 pm by NativeNM, on June 20, 2025

      Here’s another Blackstone Griddle recipe that took only a few minutes to make. The prep work was minimal and in no time I had a couple of Philly Cheesesteaks ready. I am having fun with this new griddle which heats so fast and much hotter than a grill. It doesn’t have a temperature gauge so I ordered an infrared thermometer laser gun to instantly read the temp of the griddle. It’s a must have to monitor the temperature.
      These cheesesteaks are more traditional with thinly sliced steak, sliced white American cheese, onions, mushrooms and Anaheim chiles seasoned with a simple Verde seasoning. Joe and I don’t like green bells so we always substitute a green chile of some variety in place of the green bell peppers. Feel free to make it your own as I do. Whatever you enjoy on your cheesesteak is easy to add or eliminate ingredients based on your taste buds. And toasting the steak rolls on a griddle is also a bonus, the toasted buttered roll has that slight crunchy texture but is still soft. The steak and veggies were so tender and everything tasted so good with the melted cheese holding it all together. Don’t have a griddle . . . just make these cheesesteaks in a cast iron skillet or a wok.

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      Posted in Blackstone Griddle, Recipes, Red or Green, Sandwiches & Paninis | 0 Comments | Tagged Anaheim Chiles on a Philly Cheesesteak, Blackstone Griddle, Blackstone Griddle Philly Cheesesteak, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, Steak, Traditional Philly Cheesesteak
    • Mojo Pork Tacos with Chamoy Sauce

      Posted at 11:35 am by NativeNM, on June 10, 2025

      It’s Tuesday so it must be Taco Tuesday! Today I’m sharing the tacos I made with the leftover mojo pork tenderloin. I cut the remaining mojo pork into small chunks to make these delicious tacos with mango salsa and a drizzle of chamoy sauce. Mango and chamoy pair together like peanut butter and chocolate, they just belong together. One of my favorite snacks are dried fruit or gummy candy coated in chamoy. My sister Kat picked up a bottle of Siete Chamoy sauce that is one of the best chamoy sauces I’ve ever tasted. Kat and I are condiment junkies, we are always trying something new and she challenged me to make something with this sauce. It has sweet tones mixed with tangy and spicy notes that make these tacos so flavorful. It’s distributed across the country so most likely you will find it at your local grocery store. I think you will love it on dried fruit, fresh mango or pineapple, and also pork and chicken. And don’t forget to make a Mangonado Margarita to go with your tacos. Happy Tuesday!

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      Posted in Recipes, Red or Green, Tacos, Taquitos and Flautas | 0 Comments | Tagged @Siete Chamoy, Chamoy Sauce, Mango Salsa, Mojo Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa and Chamoy Sauce, Mojo Pork Tenderloin
    • Mojo Pork Tenderloin with Parsley Cilantro Chimichurri

      Posted at 1:20 pm by NativeNM, on May 26, 2025

      Recently I got a Blackstone griddle and I can’t wait to show you how much fun I’ve been having with it. Cooking outdoors is going to be so much fun this summer. This pork tenderloin was so easy to make and it turned out absolutely delicious! It charred over the outside while remaining tender and moist on the inside. There’s nothing more fragrant and flavorful than adding chimichurri to grilled meat. It makes every bite taste like a burst of flavor that you can’t resist. I paired the tenderloin with some foil packet potatoes and a salad which made a perfect meal with very little cleanup. It gets so hot during the summer months here in the Land of Enchantment that I prefer grilling over heating up my kitchen. Starting this weekend I’m planning a new chapter in Blackstone cooking; I hope to find some new inspiration along the way. Wish me luck!

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      Posted in Entree, Recipes, Salsa, Guacamole and Dips | 4 Comments | Tagged Blackstone Griddle, Chimichurri, Mojo Marinade, Mojo Pork Tenderloin, Parsley and Cilantro Chimichurri
    • El Morro National Monument and Inscription Rock Trail Part 2

      Posted at 11:31 am by NativeNM, on May 23, 2025

      Part 2 of our journey takes place along the Inscription Rock Trail where these unique and beautiful inscriptions were carved or etched into stone hundreds of years ago. Some are petroglyphs that were left by the Ancient Puebloans, while others are messages left by the Spanish Conquistadors. There are also many inscriptions left by US Army engineers who were tasked in creating a route for civilians on their way west during the Western Expansion. One of the reasons they stopped at El Morro was because of a plentiful water supply created by rainwater and snow melt from the top of the mesa. As the water dripped down, it formed a pool at the base. When full, the pool held up to 200,000 gallons of water. It became a natural place for travelers to rest as well as feed and water their horses and camp before starting the next leg of their journey. I purchased a book at the Visitors Center which translates some of the more prominent inscriptions that are in Spanish and I will pass along those translations under each photo. Many of the inscriptions are faded and were hard to see. I used a photo editor to enhance them so that they are more visible. Click on any photo to enlarge as they are easier to see. I hope you enjoy the inscriptions and the history of Inscription Rock.

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      Posted in Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged El Morro National Monument, hiking, Inscription Rock, Inscription Rock Trail, National Parks, New Mexico, New Mexico History, Travel, Travel in New Mexico
    • El Morro National Monument and Inscription Rock Trail Part 1

      Posted at 11:49 am by NativeNM, on May 20, 2025

      If you ever feel like taking a trip back in time, El Morro National Monument and Inscription Rock is the place to visit. There are 700 years of history starting with the Puebloan Ancestors who built dwellings on top of the Mesa. According to NPS History, Atsinna Pueblo is the largest of the pueblos atop El Morro, dating back to 1275. The Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 1500’s and in 1598 Don Juan de Oñate officially colonized New Mexico. He is believed to be the first to inscribe his name in the rock dated April 16, 1605. The Mexican-American War (1846-48) made New Mexico a territory of the United States. The US Army surveyed the area for a route west as a new wave of Americans ventured westward. As they traveled through, they added their names and sometimes a message to the rock which became “Inscription Rock”. There are more than 2000 inscriptions and petroglyphs that are visible today. I have to say that this is one of my favorite places to visit. It leaves me in awe to see the beautiful landscape with all the natural formations as well as the historic Inscription Rock. I hope you enjoy taking the hike with us!

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged El Morro National Monument, hiking, Inscription Rock, Inscription Rock Trail, national-parks, New Mexico, Travel, Travel in New Mexico
    • Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cake

      Posted at 10:39 am by NativeNM, on March 21, 2025

      It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything. My computer had been slowing down over time but I was able to work through it until an automated update in February. Well, that last update brought my computer to a standstill, so after a couple weeks of frustration I eventually had to invest in a new computer. After getting things set back up I’m ready to share a breakfast cake that I made recently. It was so light and moist with layers of apples, and a brown sugar, cinnamon and pecan crumble topping. It’s hard to resist any time of day, especially with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

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      Posted in Breakfast, Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cake, Breakfast Cake, Brown Sugar and Apples, Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pecan Crumble, Coffee Cake, Toasted Pecans
    • Chicken Lettuce Wraps

      Posted at 9:25 am by NativeNM, on January 24, 2025

      If you’re looking for a lighter meal, try making some chicken lettuce wraps. They are loaded with flavor and can be customized to your tastes by adding vegetables and a crunchy topping in the form of peanuts, cashews or pistachios. I made a simple version that suited both Joe and I with ground chicken, carrots, green onions, ginger and garlic along with a a lighter sauce and a sprinkle of roughly chopped cilantro and green chile pistachios. Drizzle some sweet chili sauce over top for a little bit of sweetness in every bite. All the flavors came together nicely and were tucked inside butter lettuce leaves. It was a perfect meal for the two of us with a side of jasmine rice that was simmered in chicken broth to round it out. Whether you are looking for a flavorful appetizer or a light meal, chicken lettuce wraps are a healthy tasty choice that’s fun to eat!

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      Posted in Entree, Recipes, Side Dishes | 4 Comments | Tagged Butter Lettuce, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Green Chile Pistachios, Ground Chicken, Heart of the Desert Pistachios, Pistachios, Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Custard Cream Sweet Rolls with Orange Crystallized Sugar

      Posted at 9:03 am by NativeNM, on January 16, 2025

      I am a little late sharing my holiday sweet rolls that I enjoy making every year, however I have a good reason. My youngest son Cameron is here for a visit and since I don’t get to see him very often, I am taking this time to enjoy every minute. Over the years I have made numerous flavors of sweet rolls and each time I have the hardest time deciding what new filling to try. Custard sweet rolls are not all that sweet, however, an added hint of sweetness and citrus flavor can be tasted throughout. It’s quite satisfying to peel back the layers of the brioche dough and taste the custard with orange sugar. Sprinkle a fine dusting of powdered sugar over top to make it pretty and lets face it, it’s fun to lick the powdered sugar off your fingers after every bite. Enjoy one with your morning coffee or afternoon tea for a taste of pure bliss!

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      Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Recipes | 5 Comments | Tagged Breakfast Sweet Rolls, Crystallized Orange Sugar, Custard Cream, Custard Cream Sweet Rolls with Orange Crystallized Sugar, Custard Rolls with Orange Sugar, Custard Sweet Rolls
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