Tag: green chili

Green Chili

There are people in this world who are in the know. They usually live in the southwest part of the United States, and they enjoy a certain brand of Mexican food that can only be found in that part of the world. Of course, these people enjoy all kinds of Mexican food, whether it is authentic Mexican, the Cali blend, or the famous Tex-Mex. But to those in the know, the best type of Mexican can only be found in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. This is because a certain kind of Mexican delight can only be found in this part of the world for some reason.

This delicacy is known as Green Chili. For those in the know, they already knew where I was headed. If they were already residing in one of those three states, they might start thinking about having come green chili for dinner, and for those living outside of these three states went through an odd rollercoaster ride with their emotions. At first, they would be excited as they would be brought back to memories of when they were able to enjoy this entree, but then they would get sad because they would not be able to find any place where they could have some. Even if they had a recipe for this simple meal, they would be discouraged because the place where they were living might not have the right kind of chilis to make this for themselves.

For those not in the know, green chili is a simple pork based sauce that is made with chilis, flour and a little water. Some people have made it with chicken and there are some wonderful vegetarian versions out there as well. Mexican restaurants in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona usually keep a batch heated up in the kitchen, and they will smoother any dish that you want with it. This simple added feature turns any Mexican dish into something distinct and unforgettable. It is the dish that is the one that anybody visiting the region should look for. Those who have come out here, and have tried it, know what I am talking about.

It is surprising to me that it only resides in this part of the world, and I do not know why it has not been brought to other places. I have had kimchi in Jordan, hummus in Japan, and Pho in America, so I don’t understand why this dish is impossible find outside of where I grew up. Finding Mexican food around the world is not hard, and most of the time it does a pretty good job. Still, it misses that one thing that makes it Mexican for me. So I ask those owners of these Mexican restaurants around the world to add green chili to their menu. It might not sell right away because there are not many people in the know, but after people try it, the word would spread, and they would have a hard time keeping it around. Also, I would be able to enjoy this dish outside of the United States which would be the thing that would excite me the most.

As for right now, I am back in Colorado, and am enjoying it again. I will have to have as much as I possibly can while I am out here, and try to find a way to make it when I move back to Jordan. Until then, please give me a scoop of that green chili on my Mexican and I will be in heaven.

Until next time, keep on finding those local treasures, and having great adventures.

It’s a Colorado Thing – The Move Day 9

Some people will see this picture and instantly know what I am going to talk about; whereas, others will look at it as some kind of Mexican food that they are not yet familiar with. Of those people who recognize this dish, not all are from Colorado, and it is true that this type of burrito is not only in Colorado and can be found everywhere in the Southwest. It is also a very popular dish in New Mexico, and Arizona, and has even found its way into some of the western parts of Texas. But this particular burrito comes from a great Colorado chain, Santiagos. So for today, I am going to claim that it is a Colorado thing.

What makes this burrito different from other burritos that you can find is that it is smothered in green chili. Now many people will automatically think of the can of Hatch green chilis that you can find in your local supermarket, and yes this is used to make green chili, it is not the same thing. It is really hard to describe what green chili is to somebody who has never has it. The best way I have found to do it is to describe it like a red chili you would normally associate with a chili cook off, except it is made with pork, spicy peppers including green chilis, and does not have any beans in it. Some call it a stew; others call it a soup; and still others call it a condiment. None are exactly right, and yet in some way, they all are correct. Either way, when ever you get an opportunity to put it in a bowl, on a burrito, on a plate of french fries, or a piece of fry bread, you do it because what you will get is one of the best meals you have ever had in your life.

Now many places in the Southwest make their own version of this delicacy, but I find the one at Santiagos to be the best. I am sure I am going to have a list of other places that make a better green chili in the comment section below, but I still find this one hard to beat. It goes great with the breakfast burrito that they serve there, but if you put it on any of their items, you won’t be disappointed. You can even get big bowls of it to take home which is just as good as eating it at any of its many establishments throughout Denver.

Green chili is one of the things that I look forward to every time I am back at home, and I am confused a little bit by the way it has never moved beyond the borders of this part of the world. I don’t understand why something so delicious can only be found in this part of the world. I plan to bring it to Thailand when I go out there. I am even plan on growing green chilis so I can have this dish any time I want and share it with my new friends out there. But the next time you find yourself in the Southwest, seek out this dish. You will understand what I mean after you have tried it once. It will become one of your favorite dishes too.