Gambas al Ajillo will anchor your tapas repertoire.
Small plates may be all the current sharable rage, but they have a long and rich history across the pond in bars, eateries, and otherwise causal digs, meant to compliment the peckish day drinker. This classic Spanish tapas dish is of the hot variety and ubiquitous as Patatas Bravas. Compliment with artisanal bread to soak up the goodness and a crispy Albariño to round the profiles into perfect bites.
GAMBAS AL AJILLO (GARLIC SHRIMP)
Ingredients
2 pounds large fresh shrimp with tails in shells
8 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup of Spanish sherry
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 dried chile guajillo, chopped
1 large bunch of parsley, minced
I large lemon, juice and zest
Kosher salt
Directions
Peel and de-vain shrimp, set aside
Add shells to a pan with olive oil, half the garlic, sherry, chile guajillo, lemon juice, and zest.
Over low heat, cover and occasionally stir for 10 minutes
Add the remaining oil and garlic to a fresh pan on medium-low heat. After two minutes, strain the shrimp stock into the pan and stir
Add shrimp and cook until the shrimp turns light pink. Add parsley. Remove from heat. Do not overcook shrimp. Serve immediately.
Roasted salmon is excellent for a romantic night at home.
There is no definitive answer for what makes for a perfect romantic dinner. Beyond the company, the atmosphere, and the intent to enjoy the evening with someone you love, there are truly no boundaries. Still, we recommend the fish, succinctly the salmon, which you can roast and dress up for any occasion with little effort. This recipe will make you feel confident in the kitchen, and there is nothing sexier than that!
ROASTED SALMON WITH SAUTÉED SPINACH AND ZUCCHINI & DILL RELISH
Roasted Salmon
Ingredients
4 Salmon filets
I Large lemon
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of Pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Prepare filets with oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice
Wrap in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes.
Sauteed Spinach
Ingredients
1 Lbs fresh spinach
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of Pepper
Directions
On medium-high heat, add oil and garlic to the pan, sautee for two minutes, and add spinach with a dash of salt and pepper. Cook for another two minutes. Cover the pan and shut off the heat.
Zucchini & Dill Relish
Ingredients
1 large zucchini, diced
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/4 cup of fresh dill, chopped
1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 large lemon, zest, and juice
Pinch of salt
Directions
Dice the zucchini—sautee over low heat with olive oil and a dash of salt for five minutes.
Remove from heat. In a small bowl add zucchini, tomatoes, dill, lemon zest, and juice. Add salt to taste.
Assemble with sauteed spinach first, salmon filet, then zucchini relish. Serve with mashed potatoes or quinoa with a preferred sauce.
Flank steak is an incredibly versatile cut of beef. We enjoy it grilled on a BBQ with a little salt and pepper to a perfect medium rare. Pair it with a fresh salsa verde and your choice of corn or flour tortilla, and weekday taco night just moved over to Sunday dinner.
GRILLED FLANK STEAK TACOS WITH SALSA VERDE
Tomatillo Salsa Ingredients
2 lbs tomatillos
1 large white onion
4 serrano chiles
4 cloves garlic
1 small bunch of cilantro
2 tbsps olive oil
1 lime
Pinch of cumin
Pinch of salt
Instructions for the Salsa
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Remove the tomatillos from the husk and rinse
Cut the onion into large rings
Rinse serrano chiles, remove the stems
Roast garlic inside its husk
Add ingredients to bowl with oil, salt, and cumin. Mix well and place on a baking sheet
Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool
In a blender, add roasted vegetables, cilantro, and lime; squeeze garlic from the husk and add to the blender.
Blend for 10 seconds
Add the salt to taste
Flank Steak
2 lbs flank steak
2 tbsps olive oil
Pinch Kosher salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions for the steak
Remove steak refrigerator; set on the counter for 30-40 minutes before grilling
Rub the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Set your gas grill on high to sear marks on the steak; lower the temperature and cook to the desired temperature (medium rare is encouraged).
If using a charcoal grill, move the steak away from direct heat once seared and cook to temperature in indirect heat.
Remove steak when done and let it rest for 15 minutes
Warm flour or corn tortillas on the grill. Cut steak, add salsa, and enjoy.
Recipe by Gabe Gomez / Photograhy by Christine Siracusa
The pre-shift “family meal” at The Love Apple - Photo by Doug Merriam for TABLE Magazine
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JAMES BEARD AWARDS
The pandemic brought not only the restaurant industry to a halt in 2020: it took the James Beard Awards with it. In August of 2020 an announcement was made that awards wouldn’t be given out. As nominees removed themselves from consideration, the organization committed to overhauling the process for 2021. But 2021 also brought a year without James Beard Awards nominees as the need to address inequity, systematic bias, and promotion of toxic behaviors continued to weigh on the organization. See the complete coverage of the allegations by Eater here.
2022 featured the reimagined James Beard Awards with revamped categories focused on greater inclusivity and validity, with a more varied and diverse set of finalists. Regional category lines were redrawn, with states like California and New York state receiving their own territories to open the field to chefs in less populated areas. Among other changes, age restrictions were lifted, and Best Chef was renamed Emerging Chef. The complete overhaul can be reviewed here.
2022 JAMES BEARD AWARD FINALISTS
The systematic transformation seems to have worked as new restaurants with more diverse chefs and cuisines made the list in 2022. Santa Fe’s much-admired Chef Fernando Olea of Sazón took the prize for Best Chef in the Southwest region in 2022. Chef Martín of Restaurant Martín in Santa Fe and the Salazar Brothers of La Guelaguetza in Albuquerque were semi-finalists in the same regional category.
Santa Fe’s Zacatlán received a semi-finalist nod for best restaurant nationwide. Nobu Mizushima and Yuko Kawashiwo of Albuquerque’s Ihatov Bread and Coffee were semi-finalists in the Outstanding Baker category.
Chef David Sellers in his kitchen at Horno on Santa Fe’s Marcy Street | Photo by Tira Howard for TABLE Magazine
2023 JAMES BEARD AWARD SEMI-FINALISTS
2023 brings a new list of Semi Finalists, featuring five from New Mexico. Chef David Sellers of Horno was named in the Best Chef category, as were Andrea Meyer of The Love Apple in Taos; Basit Gauba of Tikka Spice in Albuquerque; Chef Berenice and Luis Medina of Santa Fe food truck El Chile Toreado; and Justin Pioche, Pioche Food Group, Upper Fruitland (Doolkai), Navajo Nation.
If you would like to follow along, nominees will be announced March 29th followed by an awards ceremony on June 5th in Chicago. In the meantime, we suggest you make a round of tastings to check out the nominees’ delicious offerings.
The crew at The Love Apple in Taos | Photo by Doug Merriam for TABLE Magazine
Start your farm-to-table year off right on January 1 with Veda Sankaran’s beautifully seasoned New Year’s Day Pork and Sauerkraut.
It’s important to set the right tone for the new year. It should be a reminder to slow down and eat well. We recommend you start with a deep and introspective dive into your favorite ingredients, pantry staples, and knowledge of local purveyors. Not only will your recipes taste better from the hands of locally sourced foods, but a new approach and sophistication to your cooking will inspire you for the year to come.
Our wonderful recipe creator, chef, and food stylist Veda Sankaran channeled our “buy fresh, buy local” passion into a collection of farm-driven recipes perfect for the new year or any season.
Visit our friends Beck & Bulow for the best pork or bison tenderloin in Santa Fe and many fine products for any occasion.
New Year’s Day Pork Tenderloin and Sauerkraut Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 ½ lb pork tenderloin or 2 smaller tenderloins
1 ½ tsp Spicewalla cracked coriander pepper mix*
¾ tsp black pepper**
¾ tsp Kashmiri chili powder
1 ½ tsp dark brown sugar
3 tbsp oil
1 tsp allspice berries, coarsely crushed
4 bay leaves
1 white onion, halved, thinly sliced, then cut into thirds
1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
¾ tsp orange zest from approximately 1 large navel orange
1 ½ tbsp crushed garlic**
½ cup hard apple cider, such as After the Fall ciders
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
3 cups sauerkraut, drained
2 ½ cups chicken broth
1 tsp black pepper**
½ tsp dark brown sugar
1 ¾ cups cubed red potatoes
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Rub the coriander pepper spice mix, black pepper, Kashmiri chili powder, and brown sugar on all sides of the pork loin(s). Then, heat 3 tbsp of oil in a large Dutch oven. Once it is hot enough, sear the loins, remove, and set aside.
In the same Dutch oven, add the allspice berries and bay leaves, followed by the onions. Stir and cook for a minute, before adding the sliced apples, garlic, and orange zest. Cook for an additional minute, before adding the hard apple cider, apple cider vinegar, and sauerkraut. Stir to combine everything.
Lastly, pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the black pepper and brown sugar. Stir again and place the seared pork loin on top of the sauerkraut and apple mixture, pushing it down so it is partially submerged.
Cover and place in the preheated oven to cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover and add the cubed potatoes, making sure they are submerged. Taste and add a little more brown sugar if needed to balance the sourness of the sauerkraut. Recover and place back in the oven for an additional 1 hour to finish cooking.
*Note 1: If you don’t have Spicewalla cracked coriander pepper mix, substitute with 1 tsp crushed coriander seeds, ½ tsp black peppercorn (crushed,) ¼ tsp paprika, pinch of mustard powder, rosemary, and thyme.
**Note 2: If using black pepper garlic tenderloins, you can omit both the black pepper and garlic from the recipe or keep it in based on your preference.
Round out your New Year’s Day feast with these innovative dishes from Veda Sankaran:
Our local boutique owners are expert curators of what we want, need, and have to have. They’re also integral to what makes our streets lively and beautiful. Let’s get out there and buy local this winter: you’re sure to find a gem within every doorway…not to mention a warm welcome.
This long blue running-stitch coat from the ever-innovative, Tokyo-based NUNO, is reversible in two shades of indigo. The double-collared Rosen Shanghai blouse will reflect a flattering hint of rose across the wearer’s complexion, while the hand-tinted ALEX+SVET necklace will bring a subtle glow to any outfit. tokosantafe.com
Kiddie t-shirts from Keep Nature Wild will bring a smile to the young lions and lionesses of your pride. By the way: the brand picks up a pound of trash for every product sold. Available at santafetrailoutfitters.com
This cooler-than-thou wool-cashmere zip cardigan is incredibly soft to the touch. Relaxed through the chest, the sweater fits comfortably at the waist with a band of ribbing. Knitted flat on vintage machines, then hand-linked together by the master craftspeople at The Real McCoy’s, this is a classic you’ll keep forever. standardandstrange.com
This Robert Graham quarter-zip tech sweater sports the brand’s signature floral skull argyle print. It has a stand collar and is made of a poly-spandex blend. @eternitybykaldoun
Designed by The Real McCoy’s and inspired by ‘70s Western classics, this full down jacket is made entirely out of black Japanese deerskin and lined with a soft, insulating nylon fabric. Front and back yokes are made from a single piece of black suede for a little extra sexiness. standardandstrange.com
The Brick Trio jacket transforms the boxy, three-pocket, classic work jacket into wearable art with tonal horn buttons, an intricate wool-blend brick-patterned patchwork, bold top-stitching, and yarn tassels. As with all Bode designs, the sumptuous sum is much greater than the parts. standardandstrange.com
Made by the artists of Hijas de la Luna, a social enterprise bringing together indigenous Andean textile artists, weavers, designers, and researchers, all of whom work in one of the cultural landscapes on the UNESCO World Heritage list: the Quebrada de Humahuaca and three pastoralist communities in the Puna Highlands of northern Argentina. The naturally dyed yarns of this shawl are woven in a bird’s eye pattern. heritagebyhand.com
The vibrant colors of Guatemala elevate this beautifully detailed, tailored coat by Alix of Bohemia into a showstopper. Spirit of the Earth pairs it with a berry-colored scarf by Fig & Bella and an ombre pink moonstone and opal necklace by Lena Skadegard. A warming rainbow for both their wearer and everyone she meets. spiritoftheearth.com
Handspun and handwoven llama textiles represent a millennia-old tradition of Omaguaca communities in the Quebrada de Humahuaca region of Jujuy, Argentina. This poncho, woven in a bird’s eye pattern of natural llama colors, is a bit of ancient heritage made by women to preserve their culture and their ecosystem while supporting their families. heritagebyhand.com
Delightful beaded clutches reminiscent of the Deco era will help you step into The Great Gatsby of an evening. The gin will flow like wine. Or vice versa. thecollectivesantafe.com
Roja perfumes and colognes for men and women are a signature of the Eternity boutiques on Santa Fe’s San Francisco Street. In particular, we love Amber Oud’s classic blend of rose, saffron and oud. Pure olfactory luxury. @eternitybykaldoun
Make hearts go pitty-pat as you walk into a room with these Italian-made sequined slides. The floral design is also available as a low boot. @eternitybykaldoun
Raw Japanese dark indigo denim. Pearly snaps. Two front flap pockets with boot stitched detail, nickel-rimmed pearl snaps, and an exaggerated back batman yoke with additional boot stitching. You’ll never let go of this perfect and entirely handmade iteration of the timeless cowboy shirt. Shown here with a fringed Desert Life bandana in denim blue. dixonrand.com
Famous for its prints and its outstanding details at cuff and collar, Robert Graham continues to serve up lively top-quality men’s shirts. @eternitybykaldoun
A staple of a well-dressed man’s wardrobe is a lightweight leather jacket. This one is handmade in Italy of lamb leather and is available in several cuts and colors. @eternitybykaldoun
White + Warren cashmere basics to style with jeans, a tailored jacket, or your best taffeta party skirt. Available in several colors and shapes, from the crewnecks shown here to hoodies. @bodhibazaardevargascenter
How do you spot the coolest of dudes? You look for this custom men’s hat in luscious blue-gray felt and finished with intriguing bands of leather and textile. The dudeness is double-verified with the gray eyelash-fringe scarf from the Jerry Kaye Collection. jjusticestudio.com
Covered in ostrich feathers tinted to a sassy pale turquoise, JJ Justice’s sensuous purse is the right size to carry your evening essentials…up to and including that out-of-print paperback treatise on poetry you like to read when no one’s looking. jjusticestudio.com
Your entrance is guaranteed to be grand when clothed in a fringed graffiti jacket tailored from sophisticated fabrics and findings. Designed and made in the United States. jjusticestudio.com
Black cotton with cobalt and white borders and bands of turquoise embroidery is finished with tiny turquoise tassels. It’s insouciant and quite positively chic. If you buy it for someone else, you may well just end up keeping it for yourself. nathaliesantafe.com
Subtle tones whose intriguing textures make you look twice. Comfortably washed fabrics. Modern styling. Combine these Jerry Kaye Collection pieces to outfit your beau with perfect holiday gifts. jjusticestudio.com
Layer your fella in evergreens. The olive-green chamois shirt from Schott NYC is styled-up with a button-down collar and single-patch chest pocket. The tie-dyed long sleeve henley from Toad&Co is a fun and subtle layering piece. The pièce de la resistance: a Barbour diamond-quilted cardigan which is poly-filled for extra warmth in the chilly season. redrivermercantile.com
Bring out your fiery side when you knot a fringed Desert Life bandana in harvest gold at your neck. Should still more fire be required, perhaps a tug from a stainless steel flask will bridge the gap. Choose between Snake Oil: A Cure for What Ails Ya or Happy Trails designs. dixonrand.com
The balloon shoulder of this Dear John sweater makes it a unique addition to your wardrobe. The sumptuous colors of its fruit-stripe pattern will make it a favorite. merakiboutiquesf.com
The luscious Tolani navy flannel shirt is enriched with linear embroidery. Driftwood jeans are famous for their one-of-a-kind embroideries, and this pair of high-rise beauties is no exception. Together, they are a revival of ‘70s Santa Fe style. merakiboutiquesf.com
The colorful tweed body of this scarf from Italy‘s Forte Forte design is delectable. But it’s the wildness of its dark fringes that really makes a statement. Wrap yourself up in dreams of doing something a little crazy and wonderful! @citrus_santafe
A visit to this Chimayó store is both an education in traditional weaving and a trove of giftable goodness. Here, a handwoven scarf by Leigh Alexander. chimayoweavers.com
A gorgeous pair of shoes made by a women’s co-op in Pakistan of leather, fabric, and faux fur. With this pattern gracing your feet, you will be the belle of the ball…and you will not lose either of them at midnight. @citrus_santafe
British painter Carole Waller has designed wearable art for decades, always bringing her keen eye for color and texture into her work. This scarf melds calming, earthy tones in a pattern that vibrates with subtle detail. The ALEX+SVET of Paris necklace is made with an adjustable cord and beads hand-tinted by the artists themselves. tokosantafe.com
With a combination of sculpture, embroidery, sewing and beading, Israeli jewelry artist Ayala Bar creates luxurious pieces perfect for an evening out with friends or an intimate fireside rendezvous with your most special person. signofthepamperedmaiden.com
Jewelry designer Amaral Munoz works with gorgeous materials from his quiet studio overlooking Santa Fe. These two choker-length pieces combine the subtle gleam of onyx, with the sparkle and shine of spinel and gold. Available at dianewestart.com.
True West, home to many master silversmiths, is a destination for jewelry lovers. Shown here: the Baca Cross by Lawrence Baca, beaded pieces by Shoofly 505, a magnificent bolo tie by Darryl Begay, and vintage sterling silver cuffs from Peyote Bird. truewestgallery.com
A freshwater pearl and 18k gold pendant by local jeweler Tony Malmed is a one-of-a-kind treasure. Shown here with an ombre pink moonstone and opal necklace by Lena Skadegard with an 18k gold clasp, both pieces will light up the eyes of the light of your life. spiritoftheearth.com
Wow your next hostess with the gift of a dazzling 64-inch rope of faux pearls. Ask for a special gift box to heighten the gesture. thecollectivesantafe.com
Jewelry artist Jock Favour hand-cuts stones and pours his own silver ingot bars to have complete control of his materials. When he casts a piece, he carves tufa molds that give his jewelry a unique textural signature. His work is among the silver and turquoise treasures at Peyote Bird Designs. peyotebird.com
Rock + Feather is an all-women-made gallery on Canyon Road. It showcases Belle Brooke Designs’ fine jewelry, made with 100% recycled sterling silver and thoughtfully sourced natural gemstones and diamonds. Each piece is its own work of art, made by hand in the artists’ on-site studio using traditional goldsmithing tools and techniques.” bellebrooke.net
Translucent hand-carved resin links transition from amber to chocolate and back again, catching the light and intriguing the eye. Princess length with adjustable closure. @santamariaprovisions
This matte lariat necklace graces wrist or neck with an undulating gold chain and a cluster of baroque pearls. Each piece is handcrafted in Santa Fe, influenced by the opulent visions of the Bittersweet crew. bittersweetdesigns.com
This jewel box of a jewelry store always tempts with something intriguing and original. Here, the sophisticated colors and textures of Ethiopian hydrophane opal, orange and green tourmaline, pink sapphire, and a hint of diamonds beckon you in to explore. goldeneyesantafe.com
On the left, two Jeff Brock necklaces crafted from beads of his own making. Materials include desert jasper, Polish amber, aircraft aluminum, Mexican snowflake obsidian, and mother-of-pearl. On the right, a stunner crafted from quartz beads made by the ancient Tairona civilization which flourished, prior to Spanish colonization, in what is now Colombia. momotaos.com
Rock + Feather is an all women-made gallery on Canyon Road. It showcases Belle Brooke Designs fine jewelry, made with 100% recycled sterling silver and thoughtfully sourced natural gemstones and diamonds. Each piece is its own work of art, made by hand in the artists’ on-site studio using traditional goldsmithing tools and techniques.” bellebrooke.net
Café de Olla is the best thing to happen to coffee, so far.
There are certain universal truths about coffee etiquette: never order a cappuccino after dinner (order the espresso) and adding a little smooch of booze to your cup of joe is the kind of cross-pollinating of stimulants we can endorse. Enter Café de Olla, a delicious Mexican coffee concoction that pushes the primordial yes button on your frowny face. Enjoy it straight or add the mezcal and you’ll be transported, delighted, and warmed from head to toe.
CAFÉ DE OLLA
Ingredients
4 cups water
3 ounces piloncillo (raw pure cane sugar)
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cloves
1 star anise
5 tablespoons dark roast ground coffee
Optional
1 ounce mezcal reposado (rested in oak for at least two months but not longer than a year)
Directions
Add water, piloncillo, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to a pot
Place over medium-high heat and stir until the piloncillo completely dissolves and the water comes to a boil.
Remove from the heat and the coffee
Steep for 6 to 8 minutes
Strain coffee into a mug
Add mezcal (optional)
Notes
Piloncillo can be found at most grocery stores in the Latin American food section or specialty food stores.
Café de Olla is best when prepared in a traditional ceramic or Mexican “barro” vessel.
Nobody is unhappy while they are eating pizza. Lucky for us, Santa Fe has become quite the pizza town, and if you look closely, some of the best local food is coming at you from inside a pizza box. Here’s a less-than-exhaustive list, part one, of some pizza you should enjoy tonight (or whenever) with some local suds.
Some of the best New York Style pies can be found at Pizza Centro.
New York-style pizza is always in season. A thin and foldable slice is ideal for kicking it at home or anywhere else! Pizza Centro does a lot of things well when it comes to pizza, but it excels when it puts on the heat. We recommend their specialty pie, Hell’s Kitchen, made with sausage, flash-fried eggplant, green chile, jalapeno, roasted red pepper, feta, marinara, and whole milk mozzarella. Enjoy with a Happy Camper IPA from Santa Fe Brewing.
Cornmeal rolled crust is the game changer at Back Road Pizza.
You would be pressed not to find a refrigerator in Santa Fe without red frequent-customer magnets from Back Road Pizza. Their thin crust rolled in cornmeal adds texture and a lovely finish to each bite of their pies. Their commitment to sourcing the best locally sourced ingredients pays big, especially when they keep it simple, like their New Mexican pizza with pepperoni, green chile, and red onion. Down it with Boneshaker Bitter from Second Street Brewery.
A slice of Bruno’s and a brew will cure anything that ails you.
If five generations of the same family have been making pizza from recipes passed down, it’s probably worth the visit. And if they happen to be working out of a food truck, then you have no excuse. Bruno’s Pizza knocks it out of the parking lot with their Bootlegger pie: Bruno’s style sauce on top.IPA infused crust, Mozzarella, Diavolo red sauce, salami, roasted garlic, sauteed onion, and vodka sauce. Extinguish it with La Cumbre, Beer, Lager
There are so many right things about Tender Fire Kitchen. The attention to detail in their locally sourced ingredients, naturally leavened dough, vegan and gluten-free menu items…all aggregate into killer pizzas that are meant to be savored and shared. Kick it with their vegetarian special, which includes nettles soaked in cream, mozzarella, fontina, garlic, crushed red pepper, and extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy with a hibiscus honey brew from Leaf & Hive.
If you can make a French omelet, chances are good that you know your way around a kitchen. If you make a delicious Margherita pizza with the basics: tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, and basil, chances are that the rest of your menu is equally delicious. Lino’s Trattoria and Pizzeria’s proof of concept is in its pie. Simply executed and best enjoyed with a Pinche Guey IPA from their Chili Line Brewery.
Guests at the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta Grand Tasting Event strike a toast!
TABLE Magazine New Mexico was proud to sponsor the 31st Annual Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta in September. We had a great time interviewing and photographing participating chefs and their beautiful dishes. We will miss sharing Wine & Chile content! Still, there was much fun to be had over five days, and we especially loved the Grand Tasting event. The signature event took place on the beautiful grassy lawn at Magers Field near downtown Santa Fe. It is the only time and place where guests can sample, sip, and savor over 90 world-class wineries paired with more than 50 of Santa Fe’s finest restaurants. A full list of Grand Tasting participants can be found here.
Our friends at Beck & Bulow flexed their grilling chops onsite perfuming the air with their amazing selection of fine meats.
The inimitable team at Open Kitchen LLC went hard in the paint with 14-hr Korean Spice Rub Smoked Beef Brisket BBQ Sandwiches with Gochujang BBQ Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Vietnamese Pickles, Pickled Red Cabbage!
Celebrity chef, Dakota Weiss, from Coyote Cafe & Cantina, showed up big in usual form with beef nigiri that featured wagyu beef, huitlacoche, pinion and corn sushi rice, serrano cream, seas grass, and edible gold flake.
Find more of Dakota’s recipes here from our fall issue:
The team at Tesuque Village Market brought out the charm by serving Frito Pies in their bags with an amazing brisket chili.
We would be remiss not to mention Sassella and their apple carpaccio with ricotta, artichoke, balsamic, encapsulated fruit pearls, radish, arugula, and pistachio walnut crumble. Perfect bite.
Horno Restaurant was not messing around with their char siu pork belly yakitori with pickled red onion, watermelon and arugula.
Opuntia Cafe delighted the scene with their Singapore Noodles; rice noodles tossed in sambal sauce with broccoli, cauliflower, red bell pepper, bean sprouts, and cilantro.
Did we forget the wine…? Never.
There’s nothing not to love about the suite of wines from Justin Vineyards.
Don’t feel bad if you couldn’t make it to the Fiesta. We worked with some participating chefs to share their recipes for our fall issue, available now!
Chef Nath’s Khmer (ethnic Cambodian) shared her recipe for Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon in a collision of culture and flavor. Dig it here.
Chef Kathleen Crook from Market Steer Steakhouse shared her recipe for Prime Steak Tartare. It is a master class in restraint and a valuable reminder that the best ingredients are best handled simply. Her dish is a classic, beautifully executed interpretation of a perennial steakhouse favorite. Here, yes, here.
The Santa Fe Indian Market is a many-faceted gem, and Jenny Kimball, Ambassador and Board Chairman Emerita of La Fonda on the Plaza, celebrates all its intricacies with her husband, Rob, Tony Abeyta, Darrah Blackwater, Jordan Craig , TC Meggs, Marla Allison, Alex Threlfall and TABLE contributor, Joshua Rose.
A Century of the Santa Fe Indian Market
In 2022, as the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA)—the organization that hosts the Market annually—celebrated its 100th anniversary, people from all over the world filled the streets of Santa Fe to honor a century of Indigenous art, creativity, ingenuity, strength, and survival.
This special 100th celebration had a multitude of faces: fashion shows, art booths, demonstrations, lectures, panel discussions, films, performances, dances, pop-ups, music, and culinary offerings. One solid century of Indigeneity.
There was a time not too long ago when the Market was the market—a two-day visual feast of paintings, beadwork, carvings, jewelry, textiles and pottery from over 800 contemporary Indigenous artists. These days the celebration has grown ten-fold, with most attendees arriving a week before the Market takes place in order to catch everything from film festivals to fashion shows, museum exhibitions to dance and musical performances.
The SWAIA Fashion Show has, in the course of about five years, become one of the most talked-about events over the weekend, with Native fashionistas from all over North America coming together to celebrate many fashion designers such as:
Jami Okuma (Luiseno, Shoshone-Bannock, Wailaki, and Okinawan who is also an enrolled member of the La Jolla band of Indians)
Lauren Goodday (Arikara, Hidatsa, Blackfeet, and Plains Cree)
Jason Baerg (Metis)
Himikalas Pamela Baker (Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw, Tlingit, and Haida)
Catherine Blackburn (Patuanak Saskatchewan, of Dene and European ancestry)
Cody Sanderson (Dine’)
Orlando Dugi (Dine’)
Korina Emmerich
Dorothy Grant (Haida)
Lesley Hamton (Anishinaabe)
Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo)
Yolonda Skelton
In past years, Indigenous film and television stars such as Kiowa Gordon of Dark Winds joined the lively, standing-room-only crowd and walked the runway as models for many of the designers.
From La Fonda to the Living Room
All of these events happen independently yet fall under the welcoming umbrella of SWAIA’s small team of dedicated employees and volunteers who work tirelessly to accommodate the nearly 100,000 visitors who attend the market each year.
La Fonda on the Plaza also recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Located right in the bustling historic center of Santa Fe, the hotel has long been a conduit and gathering spot for the market, especially when it came under the direction of Jenny Kimball.
Kimball, who is now Ambassador and Board Chairman Emerita, became an investor in the historic hotel in the early 2000s and ever since has made Indigenous art one of the hotel’s primary focuses. A tour of the hotel will find contemporary art by artists such as Marla Allison, Tony Abeyta, George Alexander, Mateo Romero, Sheldon Harvey, and Jordan Craig.
Each year, the hotel acquires significant works of art from many of the Santa Fe Indian Market participants. The hotel’s first female architect, Mary Elizabeth Colter, started this tradition by acquiring works from a variety of Pueblo painters such as Romando Vigil, Julian Martinez, and Tomas Vigil.
A Gathering of Artists and Friends
Just as Kimball opens her hotel to the many guests, artists, and events that make the Santa Fe Indian Market one of the most highly anticipated art events in the country, one evening after Market this past summer, she and her husband Rob opened their home to a small group of Native artists and friends for an evening of inspired cuisine, art, and conversation.
Just like her hotel, Kimball’s home features a vast collection of contemporary art that she has purchased from many of the leading Native artists today, with fresh pieces by Allison, Craig, and Abeyta. Those pieces came to life that evening, as the artists present for the special dinner illuminated the artwork with intimate stories from their studios and lives.
There are houses in Santa Fe and there are houses that feel more like retreats. Kimball’s home is such a place: long patios and verandas opening up to a lush, verdant green secret garden filled with wildflowers, apple trees, and a gently flowing stream.
Art, Food, and the Beauty of Belonging
It’s one of the few homes that takes in the intimate beauty of the Santa Fe landscape rather than some of the grand vistas found in mountain-area homes. They grilled steaks outside to bring the outdoors into the meal, then served dinner on a beautifully appointed table set in front of tall windows overlooking the lush garden.
Tony Abeyta, a mainstay on the Native art scene since the late ‘80s, told stories about his lunches with the notoriously private Agnes Martin. Abeyta lived in Taos and would drive once a month to Martin’s home and take her to lunch. One time, he showed up and she announced that this would be their last lunch together. Martin died a few weeks later at the age of 92.
La Fonda Executive Chef Lane Warner and Chef de Cuisine Randy Tapia occasionally interrupted Abeyta’s stories of Martin with new offerings—wonderful bites that fused seafood, regional spices, and traditional flavors into plates that looked like works of art.
In recent years, museums, foundations, and art centers across the country have brought Native art to the forefront, finally recognizing its strength and influence on the contemporary world.
Female Artists Leading the Way
And it is art by Native women that leads the charge. Allison and Craig imbued the evening with their quiet charm and grace, sharing stories of recent successes in the market. Allison spoke about her recent move to northern California and shared stories from her upbringing in Laguna Pueblo.
Jenny Kimball dinner participants include Tony Abeyta, Darrah Blackwater, Jordan Craig, TC Meggs, Marla Allison, Alex Threlfall, Rob and Jenny Kimball and Joshua Rose.
Allison has been a participating artist at the Santa Fe Indian Market for over a decade and her work has become highly collectible during that time. Allison talked of her recent landscapes, her foray into painting outdoors, and the friendships she has created at Market with collectors over the years.
Craig, an emerging artist with an incredible international following, shared stories of her art fair experiences, including a recent trip to Miami where Hales Gallery showcased her work at the prestigious Art Basel. Craig is currently the artist-in-residence at the Anderson Ranch Art Center in Aspen, CO.
In 2022, Craig had a solo exhibition at the October Gallery in London and this year she will have a solo exhibition at the Hales Gallery in the heart of Chelsea, New York City. In 2023, Craig also had an exhibition titled Rituals of Devotion at the McEvoy Foundation for the Arts in San Francisco. Outside of art, she owns a lingerie company, Shy Natives, with her sister, Madison.
