Impromptu Green Chili Stew

On the 26th we were still snowed in, and really had nowhere to go anyhow. It was a what-can-I-make with-what's-leftover-in-the-cabinet day. Two years ago in Santa Fe I had some amazing green chili stew and it has gnawed at my memory ever since; yeah it was that good.

Lately everyone has been talking about Christmas tamales. Since I grew up in southern California I too miss those Christmas traditions and tastes. I didn't really have the supplies to try tamales, but will be soon- especially since some friends told me how to prepare the meat in the crock pot. (Yum!) So it was actually the thought of those tastes that brought me back to the stew. And yes, I must say, and my Hugger agrees this is an amazing replica.

Zuppa Tuscana (or Soupa Oklahoma) with fruit compote

Swiss chard wins most hardy plant in my garden this year, despite snails and cabbage moths in abundance and very inconsistent watering. I put it in the ground in February and it is still growing strong.  Hurray for my stems of steel! I also love the way it looks, the way it flutes like flowers overflowing in a bouquet. And when my children kneel next to it, and it grows above their heads, it reminds me of the painting by Diego Rivera of the girl with the calla lilies.

Diego Rivera. 1941. Flower seller, girl with the calla lilies.