Help me clone the New Mexican style papas of my childhood

January 16, 2022 1:23 PM

I no longer live anywhere near a legitimate New Mexican restaurant. I desperately would like to learn how to make the papas of my youth.

My favorite New Mexican restaurants will often serve a side of potatoes (papas). I don't think outside of certain New Mexican restaurants I have ever had potatoes prepared quite in this style before.

They're skinless, soft and a little smushy (boiled or steamed?), have some chile or paprika mixed in for seasoning. I have no idea where to even start with trying to figure out how to Google recipes to make these myself.

Better yet, if you have ideas/tips on how to clone the El Patio papas!

Photo for reference

posted by forkisbetter to Food & Drink (4 answers total)

You’ll need some delicious green chile! A lot of stores will claim to carry New Mexico-style chile, but in my experience it’s really hard to find the real stuff outside of New Mexico. We order this by the case and it’s great!
posted by cakelite at 3:04 PM on January 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

I bet it means they are cooked in lard or bacon fat on cast iron with chicken broth and are seasoned with yellow onion, garlic, powdered red chile, salt and pepper, and topped with lime and parsley or cilantro. For softer, add the chicken broth at the end until it cooks down.

You can buy powdered red and green chile. Both travel well.
posted by answergrape at 3:24 PM on January 16, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I called El Patio and the woman who answered the phone says they are boiled and then steamed, and that they are vegan- there is no butter or lard or chicken broth or anything! She did say that there are spices but did not elaborate. The only thing I am 100% confident about is salt and black pepper, but I suspect cumin is involved. Maybe I'll order lunch tomorrow and see if I can figure it out more.

I completely get where you are coming from. The potatoes are the best thing- the consistency is almost like mashed. The best part is when the green chile sauce from the enchiladas gets on there, though- there are a few companies selling NM style green chile sauce in the grocery stores and that might be relatively easy to find.

I used to live about a block away from there when I was in college and they opened a new location that's about a block away from my house now. It's good for the heart but bad for the arteries!
posted by Missense Mutation at 2:23 PM on January 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

I suppose you’ve googled “New Mexico papas recipe?” I ask only because there seem to be a lot of recipes and one might give you some ideas, but apologize if this is insultingly obvious.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:34 PM on January 17, 2022