In our global economy, there are very few things that aren't available everywhere. So when I signed up for Blogging By Mail, I wanted to send something that was special to me, was unique to my area and not readily available in all corners of the globe. Colorado has wineries, but lots of countries do too, and when was the last time anyone went out of their way to find a bottle of Colorado wine? The ubiquitous Coors beer is made here, but it's not a unique, unusual or even a good beer. Finally, I decided on a taste of the Desert Southwest. Green Chile and all of it's chile inspired friends are the basis of so much regional cooking here. You can find it on every corner. It always seems strange when people tell me that in most other states, and virtually all other countries, 
Green Chile is practically unheard of. I know that there are Mexican restaurants everywhere serving tacos, enchiladas and burritos, but truly authentic Green Chile is only available in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. I set off to visit my favorite place, The Savory Spice Shop, where I found a culinary bounty of flavors to warm my blogging buddy's heart. I came home with a Southwestern bonanza: Mild Green Chile Powder, with a recipe to make your very own sauce, Lodo Fresh Adobo - a spicy, delicious smelling mix of Chimayo Chiles, paprika, salt, pepper, oregano and cumin to use on vegetables or meat as a seasoning or sauce, La Plata Peak Latino Spice, an onion and garlic based mixture for tacos or burritos, Mexican Mole - Dutch cocoa, sesame, ancho, pastilla, negro and guajillo chiles and cinnamon, Red Cloud Peak Seasoning, great on venison, wild boar, or ostrich and also on steak, full of paprika, garlic, and pepper, and Mexican Cocoa powder with Dutch Cocoa, Ceylon Cinnamon and vanilla powder. I am complementing this spicy bounty with Simply Simpatico, a cookbook from the Albuquerque Junior League, chock full of Southwestern recipes. For dessert, I'm enclosing a package of chocolate covered orange sticks, for a perfectly sweet finish after all that spicy food.
I'm kind of a picky eater, so I was a little worried about sending all of these zingy tastes off to someone who may not like spicy food. But everything I'm sending is mild and delicious, and since my Taste of the Southwest is "some assembly required", my buddy can choose how daring she is feeling. Enjoy it!
For the roundup, and to see all of the Blogging By Mail packages, please visit Dispensing Happiness hosted by the lovely Happy Sorceress! Thanks!
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