389 State Hwy. 37
Nogal,
NM(575)
336-1231
Cuisine
Good
Eats
Cooking skills can be learned anywhere. It takes a love
and an eye for beauty is all. As the darling movie Ratatulli
teaches us, anyone can become a chef if you love to cook. So
here's a quick lesson from the movie, "Keep your station
clean and your arms in to your sides." I look for the best
way to create a memory. Most people follow their stomach
around when traveling and want to receive a plate fit for a
king. This is what we try to present for them because we
also know that most people are too busy with their everyday
jobs and worries to have any time left over to treat
themselves to a tasty sit-down meal. Sometimes it's that way
for us too, but when we have guests the fine china and
crystal comes out and the apron goes on. As David tell
folks, "I love it when we have guests because I don't get
cold cereal for breakfast."I like to stay fluid about the menu as certain ingredients are not always available and I don't want to disappoint you. When you confirm your reservation, we will discuss your likes and dislikes and go from there. Some of the things I have found very taste pleasing for our guests are: Sausage Brunch Braid, Baked Eggs Florentine, Peach French Toast, Smoky Bacon Wraps, Honey Buttermilk Bread with Apple Ginger Jam , Spinach Bacon Quiche , My Grandmothers Belgium Waffle Recipe with homemade Apple Sauce or fresh fruit, French Apple -Butter Muffins, Honeymooner's Casseroles, Walton Mountain Coffee Cake, Jalapeno Corn Bread, Old Settler's Beans, Cranberry Scones, Pennsylvania Dutch Crunchy Apple Muffins, Oven Baked Omelets. This life is so much fun! So here are some fun things you can expect - you could stay a full week and never receive the same breakfast twice. If you have a favorite please let me know and we will do our best. I try to stay away from fry cooking but if you desire a traditional egg over easy with good old homemade hash browns, a pork chop and pancakes, we can do this as well.
Inform us your food preferences and/or dietary needs and we can make it healthy and tasty for you. David is both diabetic and allergic to wheat. I can cook for those needs as well. For the wheat-free diets we play it safe and use Pamela's Products or something recommended from the Wild Herb Market that is totally wheat free.
You may dine at the formal table (no black tie necessary - a robe and slippers are just fine) and this is usually the best dinning area in cold months. This table is set with heirloom china. Some is from my grandmother and ones she bought with flour sacks. Sounds awful but they are beautiful. Some are Bavarian ones that came from David's Mom and others are a mix 'n' match of unusual old dishes that don't have all the pieces and yet are oh so beautiful. Candles make the meal even more special and when the season permits fresh flowers always grace this table. English lace tablecloth or Irish linen and 18th century flatware finish off the elegant setting. Select your best breakfast time the night before. The serving times are from 8 am to 10 am . However if you sleep in, that's OK because I usually don't fire up the oven till I hear people stirring. We also recommend dining on the deck or porch when weather allows. Evening meals are available upon advance notice.
What fun is it to be hungry at midnight and the motel is clearing away their continental snack bar. I hate that, don't you? So we leave munchables out and available in our guest fridge or in a convenient location in the parlor. One of our favorites is Awesome Sticky Buns or homemade apple pie. A guest came in one night rather late and was thrilled with the fresh out of the oven Sticky Buns. That's all she could talk about the next morning. In the colder months we like to have our signature Evergreen Manor Stew and cornbread and in the warmer months you may find a spinach salad with herbal crackers. I love trying new recipes and so when my taster (David) gives me a WOW I know it will be a hit.
Remember anyone can be a chef who loves to cook and I do love to cook - so I guess that makes me a chef !
Enough said, I need to get back to the kitchen.
- Chef Bonnie
Granny Garden
Organic is the very best and the Wild Herb Market in Ruidoso loves to see me come through their doors. The Granny Garden is in the making and it will be our first time trying to grow vegetables at high altitude so "we will see" as David says. The goal is to have our own veggies and we also hope to get a cold frame system going to extend the season for things like tomatoes and eggplants who don't like the cold nights. With all the pine trees, deer, rabbits and chipmunks it is not easy to figure out how to do much other then feed the wildlife. So fencing is also a must and on the Honey Do list. First we will see what comes up however. If all else fails there are local growers and "you pick farms" that we have found. We filled our freezer with okra last fall (we arrived late in the harvest season) and are looking forward to filling it with more produce this year. It was David's first time picking okra and so Bonnie being an Iowa gal was a big help for him.A Kitchen With Altitude
For those new to the Alto and Ruidoso high altitude experience and planning to rent either a cabin or cabins for your holiday and your family event. We are building a page just for you. It gives both cooking hints and recipes that work in these here hills because no tourist or new -comer should experience the tears of frustration due to.... The mountain gods only bestowing (after many burnt offerings) the wisdom to cook at 7,000 foot elevation. Then there is the spirit of gourmet cooking that will withhold melt in your mouth beans, baked goodies and sundry other taste treats to all considered an altitude novice. We believe you come to experience all the wonders of this beautiful New Mexico, Alto and Ruidoso area, not wonder if you will live through this holiday or family gathering in sheer terror and frustration. We know not everyone will decide to leave the cooking to us, but we still feel strongly that everyone needs to fill their heart with love, their soul with peace and their tummy with satisfaction. Stay tuned for more as this page develops. Until then turn up the oven 25 degrees from the recipe, increase the flour by 2 TBS. and the cooking time by 15 minutes. Cover everything you bake immediately after removing from the oven..... And never ever try to cook potatoes or beans without a pressure cooker (it's not the water, it is the reduction of air pressure in the atmosphere that makes your beans turn to rocks). That may get you started and on your way toward a happier holiday. If not, don't panic, we are always here for you and available to take your reservation.Sweet/Tart Salad
Here is a recent recipe the Wild Herb Market in Ruidoso shared with me and it is now one of my favorites. It is easy too. Cut carrots and tart apples julienne style. That julienne cut is the most work if you don't have a special cutter, so I use a Pampered Chef apple slicer and buy the organic carrots already cut up. Add pumpkin seed, cilantro, dried cranberries and condensed orange juice with olive oil. Mix it in any portion you desire and to your taste. It is healthy for you and oh so refreshing.Evergreen Manor Bed And Breakfast -
centrally located to Ruidoso, Alto and all Lincoln County,
New Mexico activities and attractions. The scenic, serene,
and surprisingly affordable lodging and accommodations
alternative to hotels, motels, inns, lodges, cabins, condos,
rental homes, and resorts. A mountain of memories await you,
be it a summer, winter, or holiday vacation, weekend
getaway, romantic wedding/honeymoon/anniversary, or family
retreat.
