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Santa Fe Christmas Sauce

Did you know the chile pepper is New Mexico’s official state vegetable? These green and red beauties find our soil and sun particularly inviting, especially Hatch chilis, grown only in the Hatch Valley. Once a floodplain for the Rio Grande River, Hatch Valley has nutrient-rich soil and a temperature-fluctuating microclimate that produces some of the best chili peppers in the world. We’re proud of our chilis, but the real question is… can you handle the heat?

We’ve got the perfect recipe to help you melt away those winter blues — New Mexico’s famous Christmas Sauce, a Santa Fe classic! This recipe has a great balance of mild heat and rich, smoky flavors featuring a blend of green and red chilies. That’s how this sauce got its name — the combination of red and green chili varieties mimic the colors of Christmas.

Here’s a stellar recipe for making Christmas Sauce, perfect for dinner or family gatherings. Christmas Sauce pairs well with chips, meats, tamales, enchiladas and breakfast scrambles!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Roast the chilies: Char the green and red chilies under a broiler in the oven or on a grill until the skins are blackened. Place the chilies in a paper bag or a covered bowl to steam for about 10 minutes. Peel off the skins, remove the seeds, and chop the chilies.

  1. Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Combine ingredients: Add the chopped chilies, tomatoes, cumin, paprika, and salt to the saucepan. Stir to combine!
  3. Simmer: Add the broth and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Blend (optional): To make the sauce smoother, blend the mixture using an immersion blender or regular blender.
  5. Serve: Garnish with cilantro if desired. The sauce is now ready to be served on your favorite dishes!

We hope you enjoy this hot and smoky sauce this chilly season, adding a bit of Southwestern flair to your holiday celebrations!

Stay Toasty

Every winter, D.H. Lawrence would descend from the high foothills of the nearby Sangre de Cristo mountains, lamenting that the chill that enveloped his storied ranch at such elevation was too much to put up with. Yet each spring, the warm glow of the Taos sun would beckon him back. As winter approaches, you don’t need to flee to warmer climates; you can find your own year-round glow right here at our El Pueblo Lodge!

One of our most surprising and unique features is our Kiva Fireplaces, which were original to our building in the 1920s. These charming fireplaces provide cozy warmth during the colder months, creating a rustic ambiance that helps chase away the chill all winter. We invite you to call our front desk during your stay, and our friendly staff will gladly bring you the wood you need and help you get a cozy fire started in no time.

We are lucky to have such an authentic feature to offer our guests, adorning the corners of our Casita King and King Fireplace room layouts. What better way to stay toasty all winter long than to bask in the warmth of a Kiva Fireplace? We hope you have a chance to enjoy one the next time you stay with us.

Archeology around Taos

While modern-day Taos has all the creature comforts and amenities one might need, it wasn’t always that way around here. Old mingles with the new in Taos, with historical buildings like San Francisco de Asís Mission Church predating the town’s founding. For true history buffs, our past goes back even further than that! Did you know New Mexico is the third state for archaeological findings in the United States?

In this blog edition, we share some well-preserved archaeological sites around Taos to explore and learn more about our region’s ancestral roots.

One of the most significant historical locations in New Mexico and the American Southwest is literally in our backyard. Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. Just a five-minute drive from our El Pueblo Lodge, this collection of multistoried adobe dwellings have been inhabited continuously for 1,000 years. Taos Pueblo is well worth a visit and offers tourists a rare glimpse back in time to witness how ancestral Puebloans have lived in Taos for millennia.

For a day trip somewhere truly spectacular, Bandelier National Monument is under an hour and a half away from Taos and contains ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs dating back over 800 years. Ancient ruins of cliffside homes and kivas can be explored within the shaded valley, along with some excellent hiking and breathtaking views. We highly recommend it!

Another excellent afternoon day trip can be spent at the Puye Cliff Dwellings In the Santa Fe National Forest. Another easy 90-minute drive from Taos leads to a collection of 1100-year-old two-story dwellings, with the interior cave dwellings running a mile across and containing over 150 rooms. Once inhabited by the ancestors of the Santa Clara Pueblo population, these ruins were once home to 1,500 people.

Wherever your adventures take you in New Mexico, there is a wealth of history to be uncovered and stories to be told. Just remember to come back home to our El Pueblo Lodge for a well-deserved slumber! Happy exploring, and stay safe.

Summertime Delights

Summertime has arrived in Taos, and with it comes a plethora of things to do and places to explore. While we’re conveniently located within walking distance of notable spots like the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House and Kit Carson Park, we understand that some of our guests may be looking for a day spent closer to home.

For those seeking a day off from the action, we have a wide range of activities for you to enjoy from dawn to dusk! We’ve curated a full day of fun, relaxation, and tranquility for the next time you desire a low-key day in and around our Lodge.

After a restful night’s sleep, we invite you to come and indulge in our complimentary self-served (and somewhat famous) breakfast and savor some hash browns and home-made green chili salsa in the serenity of our garden or under the shelter of our patio. Get the blood flowing with some yoga on our lush lawn, rejuvenating your body and mind before retiring to a reclined chair under a tree or poolside and cracking open a book.

When you’re ready to kick-start the fun, we have various yard games to entertain you, from horseshoes to bags. Enjoy some spirited competition before the sun decides it’s time for a dip in our tantalizing pool. Our pool is open from mid-May through late September from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Solar heating ensures it’s the perfect temperature for you to take a dip and beat the heat, no matter when your bathing suit beckons.

With all that swimming, you’re bound to get hungry. Our picnic tables are ready to host a feast, and our barbecue grills come with complimentary charcoal and utensils; simply ask the front desk. Throw a ball for Fido (if you brought them!) while your barbecue smokes, and take it all in. A well-done summertime vibe — just like your burgers, satisfying and delicious.

Nothing can prepare you more for a long, well-deserved slumber than a dip in our hot tub. Dip your toes, relax your bones and enjoy our 104 degrees of tranquility as the sun dips below the horizon. Our hot tub is open at the same hours as our pool but is available year-round. It’s an excellent way to close out a relaxing and therapeutic day around our Lodge!

Taos Artists; Old and New

“In the magnificent fierce morning of New Mexico, one sprang awake, a new part of the soul woke up suddenly and the old world gave way to the new.”

These words were spoken by the world-renowned author D.H. Lawrence after he visited Taos for the first time in September 1922. Many creative minds over the years have been just as amazed by the natural beauty of Taos. That inspiration has found its way into countless art pieces, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and woven art pieces over centuries.

We’d love to spotlight a handful of historical and contemporary homegrown artists from Taos who have inspired us as much as the town and surrounding landscape have inspired them. These artists’ creative endeavors, each with their own distinct flair, have become woven into the long history of artistic expression renowned within this region. You can still find many of their pieces around Taos to this day!

Ernest Blumenschein was an illustrator, painter and Taos resident from the 1920s-1960s. His wagon’s wheel broke down outside of town in 1898 en route to Mexico, and he was instantly enamored by the friendly residents and gorgeous views. He was known as a founding member of the Society of Artists, a group of painters who depicted the American Southwest and Native American residents of Taos in a light meant to inform the rest of the world of their serene way of life and the beauty of the landscape. He has several paintings on display in Taos, including at the Harwood Museum of Art and the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, both within a short walking distance from our El Pueblo Lodge.

While not an artist herself, Mabel Dodge Luhan was responsible for attracting many artists to Taos as a patron of the arts. She resided in Taos for 45 years, and some of her most renowned guests included the previously quoted writer D.H. Lawrence, painter Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Ansel Adams, among others. Her house, The Mabel Dodge Luhan House, has been designated as a National Historic Landmark in Taos. You can still tour the main rooms and get a glimpse into this artistic era with its numerous works and sculptures still on display in and around the property. Better yet, it’s only a 5-minute drive from our lodge.

Agnes Martin was an abstract expressionist and minimalist painter who lived and worked in Taos from the 1940s onward, moving here permanently in the early 1990s. The soft and bright lines of Taos’ natural surroundings found their way into her pale, grid-based works. She was part of the “Taos Moderns,” an influx of modernist artists from cities such as New York and San Francisco who relocated to Taos and influenced each other’s works as much as the land influenced theirs. The Harwood Museum of Art in Taos hosts the Agnes Martin Gallery, a permanent exhibition that Agnes helped design and currently houses 7 works for viewing. She even had a hand in designing the gallery benches.

Maye Torres is a contemporary 13th-generation Taos-born artist who has reached global acclaim, with her drawings and sculptures on display in private and public collections worldwide. She’s created art in various mediums, from detailed graphite sketches to full-scale bronze sculptures. Torres has claimed her art has taken influence from the many places she’s lived, including El Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia and Taos, with its already-established art scene and culture. She also owns a contemporary art gallery called Studio 107B, located on the north side of the Historic Taos Plaza, which showcases local New Mexican art and has a range of rotating exhibitions year-round. We recommend a stop the next time you’re in the heart of Taos!

What we love about Taos

With Valentine’s Day upon us, we have been ruminating on the love we have for our very own Taos. With such elegant natural scenery and eclectic culture intertwined with the romantic backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, it’s no wonder Taosenos have such an emotional relationship with the land and have continued to feel inspired by its history and heritage. Here are just a few of our favorite things about Taos;

The Starry Skies
At 7,000 feet of elevation, Taos is a lot closer to the heavens than some might think, and on a clear night, the expanse of stars that illuminates the sky is nothing short of a galactic love letter to us here on Earth. Several “Dark Sky” spots around New Mexico are renowned for their nighttime clarity including Fort Union National Monument located about 2 hours south of Taos as well as Valles Caldera National Preserve located about an 1 hour 50 minutes drive southwest. Happy stargazing!

The Fiery Sunsets
300+ cloudless days a year in Taos makes for many amazing opportunities to kick back and watch the setting sun put on a show. Ablaze with the same hues as the local Rio Grande Cottonwoods turning color, the sun bids Taos a goodnight kiss with its crimson lipstick.

The Range of Activities
As much as we love to sit and marvel at Taos, we also love to explore every corner of it in search of adventure! From fly fishing and rafting down the nearby Rio Grande Gorge to biking and hiking through the flora and fauna of New Mexico’s high desert and mountain ranges, Taos offers many different paths to fall in love with the natural ecological beauty of the surrounding terrain.

The Diverse Festivals
Lovers of music, art, dance and food are in luck- Taos plays host to a wide range of festivals and events throughout the year that celebrate its storied heritage and artistic presence. Catch the Taos Fall Arts Festival (September 4-15) to witness a showcasing of both local and international art forms with an emphasis placed on strengthening Taos’ artist community, or come tap your boots and twirl around at The Big Barn Dance Festival kicking off (September 5-7) in Kit Carson Park; a weekend of fun sure to include a lively roster of Americana, Country, Folk and Bluegrass artists. If something quieter but still awe-inspiring is more your speed, the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally from (October 25-27) is a must-see for early risers. Look to the skies throughout the weekend as a plethora of brightly colored hot air balloons inflate to meet the dawning Taos sunrise.

Meet the Folks at Taos Folk

The beauty and pride of Taos is that it has always had its own identity. We live in Taos and travelers visit here because it’s unlike anywhere else in the world. And an enormous piece of our identity shines through art.

Our famous annual pop-up event, Taos Folk kicks off Yuletide in Taos. Starting November 18, 2023 and open every single day through Christmas Eve, Taos Folk showcases a dizzying variety of local handcrafted gifts made by Taoseños themselves. Located in the Stables Gallery daily from 11 to 5, everyone staying in or driving through town should stop and see what speaks to them.

You’ll find gifts and items include pottery, ceramics, naturally dead clothing, home décor, makeup, lotions, jewelry, books, music, and more. Over 50 artists line the Gallery for the holiday season, bringing in new visionaries and memorable pieces on display each year.

If you enjoy taking mementos to remember a place or gift to someone who reminds you of travel, Taos Folk perfectly represents this magical place. Like Taos itself, you’ll find things and folks you’ve never seen anywhere else at Taos Folk. And we love it that way.

New Mexico-Style BBQ Sauce

July is peak barbecue season in the US. Like with everything in Taos, we put our own New Mexico spin on things. With that said, we present you El Pueblo-style BBQ sauce.

Pull this together for your barbecue at any other point this summer. It’s a can’t-miss local take on a classic.

What you’ll need:


Step 1

In a small bowl, combine red or green chile powder, red chile flakes, pepper, garlic and cumin.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, combine 2 parts red or green chile sauce with 1 part your barbecue sauce.

Step 3

Dry rub the mix from Step 1 on whatever your meat of choice is and sear on the stove or grill over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Pour sauce from Step 2 over meat in a roasting pan and bake or smoke until meat is tender.

And that’s all there is to it! If you want an El Pueblo Pro-Tip, get both red and green chile powder and sauce and go half-and-half. Then you’ll have Christmas in July. Happy grilling!

A Taos Ski Valley Summer

Taos Ski Valley makes its name in the winter months when, well, it’s ski season. But those mountains aren’t moving any time soon, and they’re equally moveable–and conquerable–in the summertime. We’ve put together a few itineraries for whatever your ideal Taos Ski Valley adventure looks like.

Hiking

The best trail in the Taos Ski Valley gets two for the price of one. Hiking to Wheeler Peak via the Williams Lake Trail is a moderately challenging hike that offers rewards all along the route. An out-and-back trail that culminates with the tallest point in New Mexico, this trail is 8.5 miles of dog-friendly, hiker-trafficked adventure.

Trail-running

If hiking doesn’t get your gears going quite like trail running does, we have another–arguably more scenic–trail for you. The Middle Fork Lake Trail is a 5.4-mile out-and-back trail with a gradual grade and 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Middle Fork Lake at your halfway point is one of the prettiest places around Taos that will surely warrant a rest and hydration break.

Mountain Biking

As an intermediate trail, the East Fork to Lost Lake loop is described as New Mexico’s best singletrack ride. A 2,327-foot climb over 14 miles of high alpine terrain is not for the faint of heart–or beginner, either. Unreal scenery highlighted by views of Lost Lake reminds you why you do this in the first place.

Rock Climbing

Any chance to point visitors toward the Rio Grande Gorge is taken advantage of. Just a 15-minute drive from El Pueblo, the Rio Grande Gorge has some of the best bouldering in Northern New Mexico. From Panorama Wall to the Pilar Area, there are bouldering opportunities for both experts and novices.

The Grass Is Greener at Kit Carson Park

A Taos summer tradition is returning down the street at Kit Carson Park. Music & Movies on the Green is back for 2023! Every Wednesday night from June 7 to August 9, Kit Carson Park will show a movie on the grass for free.

The movies shown are family-focused, but this wonderful community event appeals to all ages, with local food vendors and live music also surrounding Kit Carson Park. The movies start showing at 6pm and live music ramps up later in the evening.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to join our community’s this summer. Bring your picnic blankets and chairs and enjoy the magic of a Taos summer night. If you don’t have a blanket to sit on, ask the El Pueblo front desk and we’d be happy to help.

See you down the block real soon!

Taos Sans Skiing

People come to Taos from all over the world to explore our gorgeous area with specific interests in mind. During the winter months, many are here for the sights and the great skiing. But, if you’re not keen on the sport, don’t fret! Taos provides a variety of other ways to enjoy our winter wonderland without the need for a chair lift. Below are the top 5 Taos winter activities for the non-skiers.

Find a Rink
Lace-up and get on that rink! Open 2 pm to 8 pm daily (pending weather) The Eis Haus Skating Rink is located in the lower plaza at Taos Ski Valley. Whether you’re carving figure eights or just trying to stay upright, ice skating in Taos makes for a magical winter adventure.

Jump on the Trails
Sometimes there’s no better way to get the lay of the land than to jump on a snowmobile and go explore. Our friends at Big Al’s Snowmobile offer a guided snowmobile tour through the beautiful Taos Ski Valley. A little background – Big Al has lived here for over 37 years, he knows the Taos Ski Valley inside and out. He will guide you through some of the most beautiful, snow-filled trails you have ever seen.

Wander a Museum
If you’re looking to sprinkle in a little culture while still staying warm, pop into one of Taos’ many museums. Step back into the 1850s by touring Taos’ Oldest Museum featuring many items from the Kit Carson Estate or spend a few hours exploring the extensive showcasing of Hispanic artists at the Millicent Rogers Museum.

Belly Up
You’d probably never know it, but the microbrewery revolution is alive and active in Taos. If you’re looking to keep those feet warm but don’t mind a frosty glass of beer, consider popping over to Taos Mesa Brewing’s Taproom where you can enjoy a delicious bite and a local brew. If you can’t decide on just one selection, go ahead and ask for their beer flight.

Take a soak
If your travel companions are hitting the slopes for the day, treat yourself to a relaxing day at the lodge. You can start by throwing on your swimsuit and taking a long soak in a 104-degree outdoor hot tub! Enjoy a nice book and a cup of hot chocolate while taking in the scenery of our property.

Taos for the Holidays

While Taos has proven to be a magical place all year long, it truly sparkles during the holiday season. And to give that “home away from home” feeling, we at El Pueblo Lodge love to set a cozy holiday scene for guests to enjoy.

In addition to spreading holiday cheer through our decorations around the grounds and inside our lobby, we also have a few traditions. Keeping with classic Christmas tradition, we leave out fresh baked cookies for all guests to enjoy – not just Santa. On Christmas Eve and Day, overnight guests are treated to our signature green chile stew, home-made tamales and pumpkin pie.

For those looking to get out and enjoy the festivities, check in with our front desk and learn about the fun things planned for Yuletide in Taos during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and through the New Year. Stay warm and Happy Holidays!