Get a locavore jump on the holiday season! TABLE believes in the shop local movement for four reasons. First, when you buy local, you support our local economy.
This helps create jobs, boosts local investment in our streetscapes, and builds greater economic resilience.
Second, you will get better, more personal service than Amazon could ever deliver. Our shopkeepers know you. They see you when you’re out to dinner. They wave to you at the grocery. And, they know what’s important to you. All of that comes into play every time you enter their spaces.
Third, you will find a host of special and unique products. Outfox the algorithms that direct your online buying with fresh, original choices! Look for the unique, the unusual, the handmade: all of the things you won’t find in big-box stores.
Fourth, it’s healthier for the planet, and for you! All those blue delivery vans and their cardboard boxes take an environmental toll. Reduce the carbon emissions and packaging waste…and get your steps in by walking around town. You’ll feel better, and you’ll know you’ve done just a little for our the planet as wella s for our community.
Get a locavore jump on the holiday season! TABLE believes in the shop local movement for four reasons. First, when you buy local, you support our local economy.
This helps create jobs, boosts local investment in our streetscapes, and builds greater economic resilience.
Second, you will get better, more personal service than Amazon could ever deliver. Our shopkeepers know you. They see you when you’re out to dinner. They wave to you at the grocery. And, they know what’s important to you. All of that comes into play every time you enter their spaces.
Third, you will find a host of special and unique products. Outfox the algorithms that direct your online buying with fresh, original choices! Look for the unique, the unusual, the handmade: all of the things you won’t find in big-box stores.
Fourth, it’s healthier for the planet, and for you! All those blue delivery vans and their cardboard boxes take an environmental toll. Reduce the carbon emissions and packaging waste…and get your steps in by walking around town. You’ll feel better, and you’ll know you’ve done just a little for our the planet as wella s for our community.
Born in the Netherlands and raised in Germany, Monique Belitz now calls northern New Mexico home. Influenced by medieval manuscripts and 16th century Dutch paintings, Belitz infuses her work with storytelling like the piece Searching for the Way – a visual tale of the journey of getting older.
Handcrafted in Portugal, these nested stoneware bowls are inspired by vintage French pottery. All of the pieces in the Poterie range are hand-finished, giving them a unique character. Safe for oven, microwave, and freezer.
Taking inspiration from Navajo and Spanish silversmiths, this hand-tooled Milagro keepsake box showcases the beauty of tradition and vintage craftsmanship. Inlaid with soft velvet and adorned with hearts, this rustic box will keep all your treasures safe.
The House of Lyria creates pillows and drapes that are timeless and breathtakingly original. Instead of chemical dyes, they look to organic materials such as coffee, tea, and ash, and natural fibers like wool, cotton, and linen to create pieces that are utterly unique.
These smart-looking boxes feature a basket-weave pattern made by juxtaposing pieces of grained wood alongside sleek black composite. The interior of each is covered in white linen.
Albuquerque-based Taylor Garrett is creating novel bourbon and rye whiskey based on an “accelerated” aging technique. Their pre-made “Old Fashioned” cocktail takes away the stress of being an expert mixologist. Serve over ice with an orange twist and a cherry.
We’ve teamed up aromatic smudge sticks from The Ark with a selection of handmade and glazed ceramics from Neighbour Moderne. The ceramics are from a Louisiana-based artist who is inspired by the clean lines of mid-century modern design paired with the raw, earthiness of clay. Each piece is unique and perfect as a gift or for holiday entertaining.
These hand-painted bowls are decorated in bold geometric designs with scalloped edges. From Morocco, these ceramics come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. Perfect for creating an elegant table for holiday entertaining.
These knock-out vases are from Morocco and draw on an age-old tradition of combining metal with ceramics. Each piece is different with some wrapped in wire while others feature embossed metal that circles the lip. Available in a sunny ochre or Granny Smith apple green.
Find the perfect pause this holiday season with a warming mug of Lavender Earl Grey tea from Los Poblanos. It’s a full-bodied black tea with invigorating notes of Italian bergamot, organic orange peel, soothing lavender, and fair- trade Indian vanilla bean. It’s the perfect way to start your day, especially when served in a hefty mug from Mexico’s Arte Ventosa.
Add some color to teatime with this teapot crafted from high-quality borosilicate glass. Offered in three color combinations, each one available with matching cups. The teapot has a removable tea filter and is heat-resistant so you can brew your favorite loose-leaf teas with ease.
A Chinese proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” In that spirit is thise acorn vase that allows you to observe an acorn seed as it matures and forms roots. Truly a gift for today, tomorrow, and twenty years from now.
Two retired mathematicians have made it their mission to help a small community in Guatemala. The proceeds from the colorful napkins they create help fund computer technology for the residents, making this a gift that is equal parts beautiful and beneficial.
Add a touch of glitter to your home with these decorative bottles with sculptural stoppers. They beg to be displayed in groups of three or more and bring a welcome note of glitz and glamor to your room.
Elevate your cocktail hour with this black leather shagreen ice bucket. It has a removable stainless steel ice container and sports a sturdy leather handle for easy portability. The brass accent on the lid gives this ice bucket a modern and contemporary feel.
Inspired by the sea anemone, the Anemone circular LED pendant light is suspended from four cables that feed the bristles with light. You can adjust the light so your room can be as brightly – or softly – lit as you like. One of the many captivating lighting solutions at La Luz Lighting.
The Molinillo cocktail table from Pfeifer is a piece that combines the very best of tradition with modern design. Inspired by details you find in Mexican wooden whisks, the table has an eye-catching turned base that gives it both texture and visual interest. Offered in four finishes.
Have your own piece of northern New Mexico sky with Summer Night by artist Dan Namingha. He says of this acrylic on canvas work, “Summer Night is a painting inspired by the brilliant moonlight we’ve had during the summer of 2025 in New Mexico.”
Yes, Barton’s is home to sublime floral arrangements, but they also have a nifty gift selection. Example: this whimsical ceramic ‘person,’ decorated with colorful fungi and flowers. Adorn its ‘head’ with an air plant and you have a gift that is sure to bring a smile to someone’s face.
Artist Diana Stetson has worked in collage, printmaking, and painting. Now she combines all three, typically starting with an abstract work in acrylic, adding on a graphic layer, and often a collage of vintage papers, before she finishes by painting more realistically in oil.
Glass artist Ira Lujan (Taos/Ohkay Owingeh) is known for blending traditional Pueblo themes with contemporary glassblowing techniques. Under his apprenticeship with Tony Jojola (Isleta), he discovered that he could express Indigenous stories and imagery through the beauty of glass, such as Leaf Glass Pottery, a piece that echoes traditional pottery.
These square plates come with different hand-painted and whimsical images like a sitting dog or dancing cat, replete with details gleaned from Mexican culture. The perfect plates for a dazzling dinner party.
Shop local this year for your holiday gifts. The creative and dedicated shopkeepers who bring light and life to our city’s many shopping districts will be grateful to you…and so will the lucky people on your list. They, too, will appreciate that your gesture of love went beyond the click of an internet button to include a thoughtful hunt for just the right treasures. Let’s keep love for family, friends, and community at the center of the season.
Bring festive charm to your table with these footed Rialto glasses. Hand-finished by skilled artisans in Turkey, these glasses feature a stylish design that blends beautifully into holiday décor. Perfect for toasting at a cheerful gathering or savoring a cozy night by the fire.
Skilled artisans in Zimbabwe create large ‘garlic’ baskets made from ilala palm grasses. Each one is unique with its own organic shape and fluid undulations and subtle variations in color and tone within the grass fibers.
Black clay wares from Colombia can be used on both the stovetop and in the oven. That means this Hen Pot from Chamba isn’t just functional – it’s a whimsical and artistic tribute to cooking the perfect chicken for Sunday Supper. Visit Santa Fe School of Cooking and their online marketplace for more from Chamba.
California-based Mistral soaps are inspired by the classic soaps you find traveling in the south of France. They’re made with organic shea butter and olive oil to be gentle on your skin. Wrapped in marbled paper, they make a thoughtful gift.
This stackable white porcelain mortar with a maple pestle, crafted in Japan, is designed to grind small amounts of spices and herbs with ease and elegance.
On the border of Colombia and Panama lies the Darien Rainforest where indigenous artists handweave these baskets. The geometric pattern is borrowed from archetypal motifs from the tribe’s creation stories. Each basket sale supports artists and their families, preserves tradition, and sustains the local economy.
Handcrafted in Kenya from sustainably sourced Ankole-Watusi horn, these charming tea lights radiate a soft, warm glow – just the thing on a dark winter day or night. The subtle perforations let the light shimmer through, showcasing the horn’s natural beauty.
Master potter José García Antonio works in natural terracotta, red Oaxacan clay. Each piece is hand-built and carved with details that make his work come alive. His pieces are unglazed, allowing the natural clay surface and texture to shine. This terracotta horse is a perfect example of the work of this revered potter whose “hands that see” bring beauty to life in clay, despite his blindness.
Based in Horezu, Romania, Maria Stefanescu uses clay and glaze colors that come from the surrounding hillsides and are extracted and processed by a local cooperative of artisans. Horezu pottery has been formally recognized by UNESCO for its critical expression of Romanian cultural heritage.
Set in the Chama River Valley, Purple Adobe Lavender Farm enjoys the terrain, sandy alluvial soil, and high altitude that lavender loves. The result is a finer, sweeter grade of lavender that they turn into bath and beauty products or sell by the bunch so you can create your own sachets, potpourri, or soap.
Long a symbol of peace, hope, and longevity, the ginkgo leaf is the inspiration for this beautifully crafted spoon. Made from stainless steel with a warm gold finish, it’s the perfect teaspoon to pair with a cup of Artful Tea’s tamarind lychee tea – a light and fruity green tea made with tamarind leaves, lychee, and white willow bark.
Seeing Light by artist Pamela Cuming resonates both emotionally and with vibrant color. Now based in Taos, her works reflect a deep inner world informed by decades in performance and creative exploration. The self-taught artist has this to say about her art: “I attempt to keep freshness, emotion, rawness, imperfection, and vibrancy in my work.”
Story by Nika Patterson, Bill Smith, Natassja Santistevan, and Julia Platt Leonard Principal Photography by Tira Howard
Get a locavore jump on the holiday season! TABLE believes in the shop local movement for four reasons. First, when you buy local, you support our local economy.
This helps create jobs, boosts local investment in our streetscapes, and builds greater economic resilience.
Second, you will get better, more personal service than Amazon could ever deliver. Our shopkeepers know you. They see you when you’re out to dinner. They wave to you at the grocery. And, they know what’s important to you. All of that comes into play every time you enter their spaces.
Third, you will find a host of special and unique products. Outfox the algorithms that direct your online buying with fresh, original choices! Look for the unique, the unusual, the handmade: all of the things you won’t find in big-box stores.
Fourth, it’s healthier for the planet, and for you! All those blue delivery vans and their cardboard boxes take an environmental toll. Reduce the carbon emissions and packaging waste…and get your steps in by walking around town. You’ll feel better, and you’ll know you’ve done just a little for our the planet as wella s for our community.
Albuquerque-based Taylor Garrett is creating novel bourbon and rye whiskey based on an “accelerated” aging technique. Their pre-made “Old Fashioned” cocktail takes away the stress of being an expert mixologist. Serve over ice with an orange twist and a cherry.
Designed in Santa Fe and made in El Paso by three generations of skilled boot makers, this snappy, unisex boot fits all walks of life. The prized ostrich leather toe is less likely to dry out and crack over time thanks to its naturally high oil content.
Elevate your cocktail hour with this black leather shagreen ice bucket. It has a removable stainless steel ice container and sports a sturdy leather handle for easy portability. The brass accent on the lid gives this ice bucket a modern and contemporary feel.
High-end fashion meets craft and story with these coats from Wanderlusty, a selection of which are available at Sukmani through January. These handwoven treasures are from the Medinas of Marrakech and the Saharan edges of Morocco and have been sensitively transformed into wearable art with the help of local artisans and expert tailors. No two are alike.
Crafted by master silversmith Cippy Crazy Horse, this tufa cast necklace is a striking interpretation of the protective Naja symbol. Defined by the use of heavy-gauge sterling silver and linear carvings, the piece is equal parts statement piece and talisman.
Crafted by Santo Domingo silversmith Mathew Lovato, this bracelet is made using the traditional tufa-casting method. Sunrays extend from a striking piece of Apple coral, while geometric lightning motifs bring powerful symbolism to the design. A timeless addition to any Native American jewelry collection.
Designed in the UK by Nigel Cabourn and made in Japan, this simple bomber jacket marries the good manners of mid-century design with the sharp taste of modern fashion. Classic and notably well-made, this will fit well into wardrobes now and ten years on.
It’s hardly Santa Fe style without some western flair! Originally designed for famed country crooner Bob Wills back in 1936, this H Bar C staple is a cool layering piece even if you don’t own a lasso. Made from tencel, an eco-friendly textile woven from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, this jacket is breathable and moisture-wicking.
California-based Mistral soaps are inspired by the classic soaps you find traveling in the south of France. They’re made with organic shea butter and olive oil to be gentle on your skin. Wrapped in marbled paper, they make a thoughtful gift.
Story by Nika Patterson, Bill Smith, Natassja Santistevan, and Julia Platt Leonard Principal Photography by Tira Howard
Get a locavore jump on the holiday season! TABLE believes in the shop local movement for four reasons. First, when you buy local in New Mexico, you support our local economy.
This helps create jobs, boosts local investment in our streetscapes, and builds greater economic resilience.
Second, you will get better, more personal service than Amazon could ever deliver. Our shopkeepers know you. They see you when you’re out to dinner. They wave to you at the grocery. And, they know what’s important to you. All of that comes into play every time you enter their spaces.
Third, you will find a host of special and unique products. Outfox the algorithms that direct your online buying with fresh, original choices! Look for the unique, the unusual, the handmade: all of the things you won’t find in big-box stores.
Fourth, it’s healthier for the planet, and for you! All those blue delivery vans and their cardboard boxes take an environmental toll. Reduce the carbon emissions and packaging waste…and get your steps in by walking around town. You’ll feel better, and you’ll know you’ve done just a little for our the planet as wella s for our community.
Avant-garde knitwear designer Avant Toi makes exceptionally fuzzy wearables for cold weather. Rendered in a mix of cashmere and silk, each piece is hand-painted in their Italian studio. The metallic finish of this matching scarf and jacket offers a cheery gleam.
Designed by jeweler Sydney Lynch, this 22K and sterling silver bracelet features a chromatic array of stones ranging from pink tourmaline to topaz to rosy carnelian. The shapes are cheeky and creative, emphasized by the disparate bezels.
Through clean silhouettes and organic lines, jeweler Valentine Viannay creates symbols inspired by the natural world. Note the dappled finishes and the easy-to-wear lightness of these earrings.
For a simplicity that matches the stark beauty of the western winter, look no further than the graphic designs of Jo Gordon. Handmade in Scotland, this two by eight-and-a-half-foot blanket stole is equal parts cozy and dramatic. Its brushed lambswool knit could even work well as a bed scarf.
Handmade at Golden Eye, this baroque pearl pendant dangles from its chain by the suckers of a delicate 18K gold starfish. Equal parts whimsy and sophistication, the studio uses the ancient technique of granulation to decorate this ode to the sea.
Guangdong mud silk’s signature two-tone surface – black on top, brown beneath – comes from the use of fermented yam juice and iron-rich mud. They are applied in a process that has remained virtually unchanged since the Ming Dynasty. These pieces have a fluid movement that makes them feel beautifully contemporary.
Handmade in their Canyon Road studio, this comfortable, Italian wool coat boasts a clean, classic shape. Of special note are buttons made from corozo nuts that fall from palm trees in South America. This durable material is an eco-conscious alternative for garment closures.
Channel the ancient wisdom of the snake with this necklace made of tiny beads dipped in 18k gold and expertly crafted by artisans in Guadalajara, Mexico. To complete the look, wrap yourself in warm luxury with this 100% cashmere, hand-loomed shawl, made in Kashmir.
High-end fashion meets craft and story with these coats from Wanderlusty, a selection of which are available at Sukmani through January. These handwoven treasures are from the Medinas of Marrakech and the Saharan edges of Morocco and have been sensitively transformed into wearable art with the help of local artisans and expert tailors. No two are alike.
Handmade by Luna Felix in her Santa Fe studio, these earrings feature three hinged moonstone cabochons, each dangling from an elegant French hook. Granulation features prominently in Felix’s practice, gilding her edges with additional texture and lending a near Byzantine aesthetic to each piece.
Italian designer Daniela Gregis felts double-faced cashmere until it is at its smoothest and softest, making for an elegant piece perfect for the coldest of winter’s eves. With a reversible contrasting interior (and pockets on both sides!) consider this smart jacket a two-for-one.
Crafted by master silversmith Cippy Crazy Horse, this tufa cast necklace is a striking interpretation of the protective Naja symbol. Defined by the use of heavy-gauge sterling silver and linear carvings, the piece is equal parts statement piece and talisman.
These Marian Miller earrings are made from polished slag glass, a surprisingly beautiful by-product of steel production. The marble-like matrix, due to the presence of iron ore, makes the glass read as turquoise’s dreamy cousin. Set and backed in sterling silver, the frame-like bezels make each earring feel like a little piece of art.
From the Catskills, design studio Liamolly uses high-tech knitting machines to create their exceptionally smooth, reversible scarves. Rendered in charcoal and cinnamon, they’re as soft as cashmere but spun from pure, long-staple Egyptian cotton. Lightweight but still warming.
Using a combination of precious gemstones, oxidized silver, and 10K yellow gold, jeweler Patricia Arango renders iconic shapes through a creative lens. Alongside stars and moons, evil eyes feature prominently in this collection. It never hurts to have a bit of extra protection going into the new year!
Crafted by Santo Domingo silversmith Mathew Lovato, this bracelet is made using the traditional tufa-casting method. Sunrays extend from a striking piece of Apple coral, while geometric lightning motifs bring powerful symbolism to the design. A timeless addition to any Native American jewelry collection.
These boots were designed in Santa Fe and made in El Paso by three generations of skilled boot makers. This snappy, unisex boot fits all walks of life. The prized ostrich leather toe is less likely to dry out and crack over time thanks to its naturally high oil content.
Designed in the UK by Nigel Cabourn and made in Japan, this simple bomber jacket marries the good manners of mid-century design with the sharp taste of modern fashion. Classic and notably well-made, this will fit well into wardrobes now and ten years on.
For five decades, Peyote Bird Designs has been a trusted source for vintage Navajo and Zuni pieces, as well as artisan-made silver, turquoise, and beaded jewelry. Their balance of tradition and heritage with a youthful sense of style means you can find both an important antique squash necklace, or some bracelets to add to your carefully curated stack. Check the site regularly for special offerings.
Set in the Chama River Valley, Purple Adobe Lavender Farm enjoys the terrain, sandy alluvial soil, and high altitude that lavender loves. The result is a finer, sweeter grade of lavender that they turn into bath and beauty products or sell by the bunch so you can create your own sachets, potpourri, or soap.
Story by Nika Patterson, Bill Smith, Natassja Santistevan, and Julia Platt Leonard Principal Photography by Tira Howard
This gorgeous plate of Pickled Baby Carrots will emerge from your kitchen looking like glistening gems. They are served with lentils, whose coin shape has made them an ancient symbol of financial wealth and security. Add smoked labneh and a toasted pita chip for the perfect combination of creaminess, sharpness, sweetness, and crunch. In addition to the lentils’ good luck message, this dish starts the year off on note of good health. Check out your local Middle Eastern restaurant for a wonderful place to get labneh and pita chips. Plus, be sure to grab carrots and herbs from a local farm stand or grocer.
What is Labneh in Our Pickled Baby Carrots Recipe?
Labneh comes from the Middle Eastern as a version of a “soft cheese.” It uses Greek yogurt and puts it through a straining process that leaves you with a thick, spreadable texture and tangy flavor. For our Pickled Baby Carrots recipe, the labneh adds in another textural point that you can scoop onto pita chips along with the carrots and lentils.
Did you know lentils are one of the lucky ingredients from ancient days?
Ingredients
Scale
For the smoked labneh:
600 g Greek yogurt
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
100 g lapsang souchong loose tea
2 tbsp caraway seeds
2 tsp pink peppercorns
Zest of 2 lemons
20 g thyme sprigs
Coarse sea salt and black pepper
For the pickled carrots:
1,300 g carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch by 1/2-inch pieces
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup water
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp cane sugar
For the lentils:
240 g lentils
120 ml olive oil, divided use
2 medium red onions, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, finely diced
4 tsp caraway seeds, lightly toasted
1 tsp fennel seeds, lightly toasted
3 tbsp superfine sugar
160 ml sherry vinegar
20 g mint leaves, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the smoked labneh:
Mix yogurt, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/2 tsp salt. Place in cheesecloth, tie, and hang in a pitcher in the fridge for 24 hours to drain.
Line a shallow pan with foil. Add tea, caraway seeds, pink peppercorns, lemon zest, thyme, and 4 tbsp water. Heat on the stove until smoking, then reduce heat.
Place drained labneh on parchment paper over a wire rack. Place the rack in the shallow pan, smoke for 5 minutes on low heat, seal tightly, then let sit off heat for 5 minutes.
Cool, drizzle with remaining olive oil, and store in the fridge.
For the pickled carrots:
Place carrots in a large Mason jar or container.
In a saucepan, heat vinegar, water, salt, and sugar until dissolved. Adjust flavor if needed.
Pour brine over carrots until fully submerged. Add more vinegar or water if needed.
Seal, shake, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (best after 24 hours). Store in the fridge for 2–3 weeks.
For the lentils:
Rinse lentils and boil in water for 20–25 minutes until cooked. Drain and toss with 1/2 tsp salt.
Sauté onion and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil for 8–10 minutes. Add caraway and fennel seeds, cook for 1 minute.
Stir in sugar, then vinegar. Reduce for 3 minutes.
Mix with lentils, remaining olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and black pepper.
Top lentils with smoked labneh, pickled carrots, and za’atar sourdough crackers.
Recipes by Chef Marijke Uleman Story by Julia Platt Leonard Styling by Jessie Baca Photography by Tira Howard
In many parts of Latin America, and in Latino communities in the United States, tamales are an integral part of the winter holidays. Families and friends usually make them in big batches by forming a casual assembly line to spread the corn husk wrappers, fill them with masa and seasoned meats, and then tie the wrappers closed for steaming. This recipe for 30 tamales calls for Cochinita Pibil, a Yucatan specialty of pork marinated in achiote (annatto seeds) and citrus, then wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-cooked. Hibiscus flowers (“Jamaica” in Spanish) are usually used to make tart, ruby-red tea; here they dye the corn husks a bright pink. Shop for spices, masa, corn husks, as well as hibiscus at your local Latino market.
How Does Soaking Tamales Corn Husks in Hibiscus Tea Change the Flavor?
Soaking tamale corn husks in hibiscus tea or Jamaica, introduces a distinct tart and subtly floral complexity that you wouldn’t get with plain water. Besides the vibrant pink/red color hibiscus makes the corn husks, the tartness slightly transfers to the masa as the tamales steam. This means you end of with a dough that’s delicate as well as lightly flavored.
1 lb corn husks (45–50 pieces, depending on husk size)
3 cups lard
4 tsp baking powder
8 cups heirloom corn masa harina (preferably 1 full bag Masienda)
2 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
6–8 cups warm broth or water
Instructions
For the cochinita pibil:
Briefly pass banana leaves over an open flame to make them flexible.
Grind achiote seeds into a powder, then mix with orange juice and salt to form a liquidy paste.
Rub marinade all over the pork and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Wrap pork in banana leaves, place in a baking dish, and bake for 6 hours.
Unwrap pork, increase oven to 350 degrees, and bake for 30 minutes to develop a crust.
Shred and serve warm. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For the tamales:
Make a hibiscus tea and soak corn husks in it for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the masa.
Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer, whip lard on high until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes or until it reaches the texture of cake frosting.
Add baking powder and gradually incorporate masa harina, mixing well.
Slowly add 6 cups of warm broth or water, mixing to form a cohesive dough. Reserve the extra 2 cups to adjust moisture as needed. The masa should be well hydrated, not gritty, and have a creamy, airy texture that spreads easily.
Taste the masa and add salt, whipping to incorporate. Use about 1 tsp per 3 cups masa if using unsalted liquid. Adjust if using salted broth.
Gently wring out your corn husks and pat dry with a dishtowel.
Arrange each husk with the wide end closest to you and the smooth side facing up.
Using a spoon, spatula, or bench scraper, spread a thin, even layer of masa (about 2 ounces or 4 tablespoons) in a 3-inch by 5-inch area, leaving the narrow end uncovered.
Add 1 ounce (1–2 tablespoon) of cochinita pibil to the center of the masa.
Fold one side of the husk over the filling, then the other. Fold the bottom end toward the top. Optional: tie with a strip of corn husk to secure.
Fill the bottom of a tamale steamer (or pot with a steamer basket) with water.
Place tamales upright in the insert or basket and cover. Steam over medium-high heat for 75–90 minutes.
Check for doneness: if the husk pulls away from the masa easily, they’re ready. More tamales may require longer cooking.
Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for at least 15 minutes. Tamales will firm up as they cool.
Recipes by Chef Marijke Uleman Story by Julia Platt Leonard Styling by Jessie Baca Photography by Tira Howard
You’ll find black-eyed peas on every Southern table at the New Year. Since we’re at the northern tip of the Appalachias, maybe we need to embrace this dish more often than we do! The sheer number of black-eyed peas (a type of bean) makes them a symbol of plenty and abundance. This fresh, vibrant Black-Eyed Peas Salad is a take on the classic Southern “Hoppin’ John,” swapping rice for citrus-dressed greens and adding crunchy cornbread croutons for texture. Legendary radicchio here adds radiant color and a complex note of bitterness.
What is the “Hoppin’ John” Our Black-Eyed Peas Salad is Based on?
The Black-Eyed Peas Salad is a take on the Southern culinary tradition of Hoppin’ John. This classic dish comes from Southern American and African foodways. Hoppin’ John is traditionally a combination of black-eyed peas, rice, pork (such as bacon or ham hock), and sometimes chopped onions or other vegetables. Historically, you serve the dish on New Year’s Day, where eating brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
In Spain and parts of Latin America, requires New Years revellers to eat 12 grapes at midnight to ensure luck all year long. Here, Chef Uleman invites us to eat our grapes as part of a scrumptious sweet potato pie laced with miso and tahini as well as a reduction of dark beer. “I believe that miso and tahini absolutely belong in sweet treats!” says Marijke Uleman. They build layers of umami that make this dessert an adventure for the palette. Your local oriental market should have the miso while you can head to your favorite Mediterranean Pitaland for the tahini and local farm for sweet potatoes as well as table grapes.
What is Miso in Our Sweet Potato Pie Recipe?
In our Sweet Potato Pie recipe, miso serves as a surprising but highly effective flavor agent. You’ll taste the difference of this unique and complex ingredient. Specifically, white miso is what we use because it is milder and sweeter than darker varieties. It doesn’t make the pie taste savory. Rather, miso performs a trick where it deepens and enhances the natural sweetness as well as the warmth of the sweet potato and spices.
In the Netherlands, a cascade of tiny currant-studded Oliebollen are a central part of New Years eating. Oliebollen literally means “oil balls” in Dutch. “They’re similar to donuts but with a slightly more rustic, bread-like crumb,” says Chef Uleman. “Hot, crisp edges, give way to a tender, airy center dotted with sweet currants. A snowfall of powdered sugar makes them irresistible.” They are best eaten fresh out of the fryer so invite friends to help shape and fry them so you can enjoy these symbols of abundance and joy together while they’re still warm. Go local with the recipe’s milk, butter, and flour to try the quality difference.
What are the Origins of Oliebollen, Dutch Donuts?
Oliebollen, the beloved Dutch fried dough treats come from ancient origins. Their history stretches back to the earliest winter celebrations with the Germanic tribes who celebrated the winter solstice. During this time, they would consume cakes made with preserved fruit and flour fried in oil. They did this believing that the fat would protect them from the evil goddess Perchta. The specific iteration known as Oliebollen became established during the Middle Ages as a symbol of the New Year.
Kick-start your New Year festivities by welcoming guests with a riff on a classic mimosa, minus the alcohol and using grapefruit instead of orange juice along with the addition of a chai masala syrup. “In many cultures around the world, citrus fruits are symbols of good luck and prosperity,” Chef Marijke Uleman says. The alcohol-free drink was a nod to the fact that many people – including Uleman – cut out alcohol in January. If you’re imbibing, however, feel free to use prosecco, cava, or champagne in the recipe. Then, simply serve to your guests and let the good fortune of citrus fruits bring you prosperity.
