Meatballs Meet The Old Spanish Trail.

 This is a combination of my travel and food blogs.

“Into the great wide open

Under them skies of blue

Out in the great wide open

A rebel without a clue”

Into the Great Wide Open, by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1991

Since around June, hubby and I have taken short riding trips, with our dog, just to get away from the town.  Like the song lyrics just read, into the great wide open, under the skies of blue; and San Juan County certainly has a monopoly on both.  Round and round the trails of Lisbon Valley; Steen Road where Charlie Steen had his Mi Vida mine.  Crossing over Highway 191 onto old highway 191, driving past the abandoned Monticello CCC Camp location and coming out at Wilson’s Arch. No matter how many times we travel these parts, we always notice something new.

 

Recently, a dirt trail past Casa Colorado Rock caught our attention.  Oh, we already knew the trail was there, seen it before, say, “One of these days we’ll check it out.”  Why did we notice it more this time?  There was a new sign, and we knew it was new, cause it was all shiny new, and didn’t see it anytime before, put up by the BLM.  Sign reads, “Las Tinajas Water Holes, Bureaus of Land Management, Old Spanish National Historic Trail”.  This is so new-new that we could not even find it listed on the BLM, nor The Old Spanish Trail Association, websites.  Lots of references to the Las Tinajas Waterfall and Swimming Holes in Puerto Rico though.  Even asked Google AI which stated, “The BLM has no new established trails in San Juan County, UT relating to The Old Spanish Trail.”  Good thing I always take a camera on our jaunts, so could document what we had found.

 

So, the trailhead is off Steen Road, near Casa Colorado Rock; now that’s the name the BLM has listed on their information board about this formation.  If you visit my travel blog, February and May 2014, I wrote extensively about Steen Road and the formations along, and seen from, it.  In 1874, Willian Henry Jackson photographed the same areas, and named the formation "Cave Rocks / Sierra La Sal / Dry Valley”.  Closer to Highway 191 is where the Hook and Ladder OHV Trailhead can be accessed as well. 

 

But I digress, the trail to the water holes is one-mile, round trip, over very sandy ground, and it gets steeper the closer to the water holes you get.  There are no areas of shade along the trail, so, being in the great wide open, wearing a hat; loose, light colored clothing, hiking shoes and carrying lots of water is a must.  A side trail to Casa Colorado Rock brings you to more shaded areas, so bring a picnic for a restful lunch.

This is a combination travel and food article, so that was the travel part, and here comes the food.  Since this trail is an established part of The Old Spanish Trail, it is quite appropriate to introduce a Spanish recipe that has become a staple in Mexico, Albóndigas Guisadas aka stewed meatballs.

During the 6^th to 15^th centuries, the Moors, of the Middle East, inhabited and influenced southwestern Europe, which included Spain.  When the Spanish explorers came to Mexico, and the more southern regions of North America, they too influenced the people already dwelling there.  Albondigas was one culinary influence in which it can be served as a savory stew, or a full bodied, comforting soup of meatballs, vegetables and rich broth.

The word "albondigas" comes from the Arabic word "al-bunduq," meaning "hazelnut" or "small round object," which refers to the shape of the meatballs.  Since the 15^th century, the recipe has gone through many changes throughout Spain and Mexico, however, tomatoes, garlic, onions, peppers and olive oil (combination known as “sofrito”) remain the foundation for the broth.  This type of recipe is similar to ones from Italy, but the seasonings of cumin and chili powder give albondigas its Spanish signature.

After the meatballs are browned, they are finished off by cooking in the broth.  For a stew, the broth/sauce is much thicker, and can be served over rice or mashed potatoes. In soup form, the broth is thinner, and vegetables of zucchini, potatoes, and carrots can be added.  An ingredient, sold under the brand name “Maggi Jugo”, is a rich brown liquid whose equivalent is dark soy sauce, and is a must for the broth, whether the product itself, or using the soy sauce as a substitute.

For the onions, white or red (purple) can be used, or a combination.  The same for the bell peppers, all one color of red, yellow or green, or a combination.  First cut the vegetables into strips (julienne), then cut the strips in half before adding to the sauce mixture.  The first recipe will be a stove top method which will be quick cooking.  The second will be for the crock pot which I have found creates a better dish.  The slower cooking allows the meatballs to absorb the flavors of the sauce it is cooking in; and the entire dish becomes richer and more flavorful.

 

Albóndigas Guisadas (Spanish Stewed Meatballs)

Meatball ingredients:

2 and ½ lbs. lean ground beef or 2 lbs. beef + ½ lb. ground pork

2 Tbsp. Maggi Jugo (dark soy sauce can be substituted)

1/2 cup minced onions

2 Tbsp. beef stock

2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 cup plain, dried bread crumbs

1 egg

For frying: 1/2 cup olive oil

Sauce Ingredients:

2 cups onions and peppers, julienned and halved

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. chili powder (mild or medium)

1 can (10 oz.) tomato sauce

1 can (4 oz.) tomato paste

1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with chilies (mild or medium)

1 cup beef stock

¼ cup Maggi Jugo (dark soy sauce can be substituted)

Preparation:

For the meatballs, mix all meatball ingredients, except olive oil, thoroughly, in a large bowl.  Roll mixture into two-inch balls; makes about 3 dozen.  In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat, add meatballs and brown for 3 minutes; turn over and brown again for 3 minutes.  Do not drain oil.

 

For the sauce, in a large pot, 4 to 5-quart, on medium-high heat, add all sauce ingredients and cook for 20 minutes, stir occasionally.  Add browned meatballs, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes; uncover, stir bottom to top, cook additional 10 minutes.  Serve with white rice or mashed potatoes.

Makes six servings.

Crock Pot Method

In a 4-quart crock pot, mix together all sauce ingredients, set on low.  Create meatballs as in stove top directions, add to sauce in crock pot, including the oil (full of added flavor).  Let cook for six hours before serving over white rice or mashed potatoes.

 

A huge thank you to my taste testers at the Monticello 7-11/Exxon; your positive and helpful opinions made this worthwhile.

Looking for something in the sandwich genre,  Preheat oven to 400F.  Place six meatballs, plus veggies and sauce on one half of a large sized Naan bread.  Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the filling. Fold the other half of the Naan bread over the filling, place on an aluminum foil covered pan, place in oven for 15 minutes.  Now that's going to be one heck of a satisfying sandwich!  

Mary Cokenour 

 

Kane Creek, Oh Look Over There!

This is a food/travel combination article.  Spaghetti alla Puttanesca and Lone Rock in the Kane Creek Canyon Rim.

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Lone Rock

Next month, Roy and I will have been living in San Juan County, Utah for nine years.  These past years have been filled with joy, adventure, hardship, heart wrenching moments of loss, sometimes regret which becomes overwhelmed by a passion for the area itself.  Many times Roy has been amazed at how acclimated I have become to living in the great Southwest.  I tell him I must have been a pioneer in a past life; learned lessons eased me into this new life here.

Beginning a food blog to express a passion for cooking was a given, but beginning a travel blog (http://southwestbrowneyes.com) of the 4 Corners region was a must.  How else to share the adventures of this outdoor historical museum, and immense playground of desert, mountains, plains, forests and open ranges?  How else to share my photographs that many have called amazing; yet do not truly do justice to the landscape.  To appreciate it all, you have to get out here, experience it and remember to breathe.  What better way to introduce readers to a delicious Italian recipe, than to integrate it into the story of a San Juan County site. 

Kane Creek Canyon Rim aka Lone Rock Road, is located between La Sal and Spanish Valley; the far northern end of San Juan County; entrance across from the Black Ridge Recreation Area.  Personally, I often think this region is forgotten about, since the main population of the county is in the central to southern regions.  It is a wondrous region of trails for ATVing, 4 wheel driving, hiking, climbing, camping and exploration.  On most maps, it’s indicated with a mention of the “Behind the Rocks” trail; no mention of the road name, or what sites are available to see along the way.  It’s usually a busy playground during the ATV and Jeep Safaris though.

Lone Rock is a long, red sandstone formation which houses two arches, Balcony and Picture Frame. Now for a little history of Lone Rock to understand the relationship to the recipe I’ll be giving you next.  Originally it was called "Prostitute Butte" by the white settlers; the Anasazi used the area for religious ceremonies dedicated to the "mother deity"; it is assumed that sexual practices were part of the ceremonies which offended the white people.  A mother goddess is a term used to refer to any female deity associated with motherhood, fertility, creation or the bountiful embodiment of the Earth; the goddess was referred to as Mother Earth or the Earth Mother.  The name change to "Lone Rock" now dedicated the area to the Anasazi male fertility god, the Kokopelli; usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with feathers or antenna-like protrusions on his head).  Kokopelli presides over both childbirth and agriculture; he is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music.   In other words, if a female deity was involved...prostitute; male deity...just a lonely guy; can you feel my eyes rolling around in their sockets?

Lone Rock aka Prostitute Butte

Other Side of Lone Rock

Picture Frame Arch

Balcony Arch

The Terra Cotta Warriors

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca (pronounced [spaˈɡetti alla puttaˈneska] has been loosely translated into "spaghetti in the style of a whore"; an Italian pasta dish invented in Naples in the 20^th century.  The ingredients of tomatoes, olive oil, anchovies, black olives, capers, red chile pepper and garlic give it the sensations of sweet, salty, spicy, and savory.  In other words, the perfect pasta dish to satisfy the taste buds as well as the belly.  Supposedly, this dish was prepared at brothels in the hopes of attracting men to satisfy their hunger for food, and well, do I have to really spell it out?

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

½ cup sliced, pitted black olives

4 anchovies, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 and 1/2 Tbsp. capers

1 tsp. red chile pepper flakes

1 and ¾ cups fresh, chopped Roma tomatoes (or use equivalent of canned diced tomatoes, drained)

1 lb. spaghetti

Salt to taste

¼ cup fresh, chopped parsley

Preparation:

In a large skillet, medium-high heat, heat oil and add olives, anchovies, garlic, capers and chile flakes. Sauté for 2 minutes, add tomatoes and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced.  At the same time, cook the spaghetti al dente.

Taste sauce and add salt to desired taste; add in drained spaghetti and continue to cook for 5 minutes.  Add salt to taste if necessary, and add chopped parsley after cooking.

Plate and sprinkle fresh parsley over all.

Makes 4 servings.

There you have it, a perfect combination of adventuring and dining.  Mangia!

Mary Cokenour

Old Spanish Trail through San Juan County.

While the Hole in the Rock Pioneer Trail is seen as the most famous in Southeastern Utah, another trail paved the way, so to speak, through San Juan County.  The Old Spanish Trail began (1826) as a trading route between Santa Fe, New Mexico to California. In 1829, a second route developed to avoid the Mojave Desert, and travel through Death Valley instead. Either route, travelers had a miserable time of it; bandits loved it though, since California was getting rich. 1931 saw the development of a route through SE Utah to trade with the Ute tribes, and eventually end up in Salt Lake City before continuing to California.  This trail system was recognized as historical by Congress in November 2002 (Bill S. 1946); President George W. Bush signed the bill in December 2002. 

Map from Moab Happenings Article: http://www.moabhappenings.com/Archives/trails1406RetracingTheOldSpanishTrailInGrandCounty.htm

There is a lot of attention focused upon the more central to southern ends of San Juan County, mainly Blanding to Monument Valley.  What happened to the northern sections?  Oh yes, there is Canyonlands National Park, but as editor Bill Boyle, of the San Juan Record, pointed out recently, Moab gets most of that attention.  Whether the Bears Ears National Monument continues as is, sized down, or totally rescinded, the world now knows about San Juan County, Utah.  Travelers will be wanting to see what all the hoopla is about; human curiosity will win out and they will come.  So, what does Bears Ears have to do with the Old Spanish Trail?  People are reading up on the area, whether via travel guides, or online, and they are asking about both.  Being in the tourism industry, I talk with people, so can verify this statement from personal experience.  For those who have no idea where the Old Spanish Trail can still be followed in San Juan County, let me give you a few hints.

Peters Wash Road (County Road 108) parallels the Old Spanish Trail; the trail eventually continues across Lisbon Valley Road.  CR 108 is also the route to find beautiful Macomb Arch which was not named after a local rancher.  This arch of Entrada sandstone was named after Captain John N. Macomb of the Corps of Topographical Engineers; sent to Utah in 1859 to create maps of San Juan County, determine the potential for mineral mining and survey the course of the San Juan River.  The area around Macomb Arch offers plentiful hiking, ATV-ing and 4 wheel driving; staying on CR 108 will eventually bring one to White Rock and Lisbon Valley Road.  Lisbon Valley Road has a formation called Big Indian Rock which looks like a brave with his squaw and child; Lisbon Valley is also an anticline similar to San Rafael Swell.

 My dog Jenna and I sitting below Macomb Arch.

White Rock

Big Indian Rock on Lisbon Valley Road

However, following the Old Spanish Trail will keep travelers going north on Highway 191 until they reach Kane Springs Rest Stop, just around the corner from Hole N’ the Rock tourist attraction; and yes, we’re still in San Juan County.  Kane Springs was a major water stop on the Old Spanish Trail; pioneers would fill up on water, while cowboys moving cattle could provide water to the animals and themselves.  While hiking around the area, I found a set of brackets set into the sandstone; could this have been part of a water system from long ago?

Time to be aware of the entire County of San Juan, not just 1.35 million acres; the world knows and it will come.

Since Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and this article is of the Old Spanish Trail beginning in Mexico; how about a simple recipe.  Why is May 5^th a huge celebration in Mexico?  It is actually not Independence Day for Mexico; that occurred on September 15, 1810 when Mexico told Spain to go "stick it"; just like the United States told England back in 1776.  France decided it wanted to invade Mexico and were told, "I don't think so!” and that is what Cinco de Mayo is truly about.

Tamale Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

4 bell peppers (red, yellow, orange or green) – tall and wide

1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef

1 (8 oz.) package cornbread mix

½ cup whole kernel corn

½ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

2 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. cumin

1 cup salsa

½ cup milk

1 Tbsp. salt

1 cup water

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400F. Cut tops off of peppers; remove stems; remove pith and seeds from inside peppers. Either keep tops to place on top of stuffed peppers, or dice up and add to filling.

In a large mixing bowl; combine ground beef, cornbread mix, corn, beans, chili powder, cumin, salsa and milk. Stuff each pepper, leaving ¼” space from top.

Place the stuffed peppers inside a round baking dish; they should be able to stand, and hold each other, upright. Combine salt with water and pour into bottom of dish, but not over the tops of the peppers; cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes; uncover and bake additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

 Makes 4 servings.

Mary Cokenour

Don't Make This Mistake with Edamane.

Whenever I've used edamane (soy beans) in a recipe, I usually purchased the frozen, already shelled variety.  When I saw the PicSweet brand on sale, I didn't think there was anything strange about the beans still being in the pod.  When I cooked them up with the recipe I'm going to giving you, I made a huge mistake on not reading the directions on their package.  So, here's the warning:  If you cook edamane in the pod, the beans must be removed before or after; you CANNOT eat the pod itself.  The dish was still delicious, but we had to pick out each pod, push out the beans and throw out the pods; it was quite a messy meal.  I know my Thai friends are going to be rolling on the floor laughing when they read this.  Yes Bella (Arches Thai) and Venus (Bangkok House, Bangkok House Too), I can hear you both laughing!  That's why you two own the best Thai restaurants in Moab, Utah, not I.

By the way, besides edamane (the beans only!), sugar snap peas (and you can eat the pod!) go great in this recipe too.  When it comes to rice and noodle packaged sides, I have found that Knorr tastes much better than other brands, or the store brand copycats; and they have a larger variety.  Oh, the package directions tell you to add oil when cooking up the Rice Side; since you already used oil when browning the beef and onions, skip that part of the directions and don't add more oil.

Enjoy!

Beef, Vegetables with Asian BBQ Fried Rice

 

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. canola oil

1 lb. lean beef, cut into one inch pieces
1 small red onion, large diced
6 oz. frozen peas and carrots mix
6 oz. frozen sugar snap peas or shelled edamame
1 package (5.9 oz.) Knorr Asian BBQ Rice Side
2 cups water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparation:

In a large skillet, heat oil on medium-high, brown beef and onions together until red color of beef is no longer showing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add frozen vegetables, contents of Rice Side package and water; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover and let cook for 7 minutes (longer if rice is still too firm).  Turn off heat, uncover, allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Makes four servings.

Mary Cokenour

Went Back to the Branding Iron and Loved It.

Susie's Branding Iron

2971 South Highway 191 (across from Shell Station)
Moab, Utah, 84535

Phone: (435) 259-6275

Website: http://www.susiesbrandingiron.com/

Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday, 11am to 10pm

On July 22, 1989, Karl Tangren opened up The Branding Iron; a place where locals could get good food, and play music.  Now we had visited this place about four years ago, and truthfully, we weren't that impressed.  It was only open for dinner and it didn't seem worth the travel, so wrote it off as a to-go place.  After being closed for a little while, and undergoing major renovation, it reopened on September 3, 2012 with new management of sorts, Karl's daughter, Susie Taylor.  The name was slightly changed to Susie's Branding Iron, now open for lunch and dinner.  We kept remembering our first experience there, so didn't rush to try it out; that was a major loss on our parts.

We finally went there on a Saturday night and it was an amazing experience.  After being warmly greeted and seated, our waitress, Melena, took our drink orders.  Melena is a doll, very efficient, attentive and makes sure you are enjoying your meal.  More and more diners kept coming in, some greeted by name; talking and laughter filled the air.  The restaurant is more open now, southwestern/cowboy décor; there is a bar that opens at 4pm every day, and a beautiful patio area.

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights is the Prime Rib special; 16 ounce slab (about 1 to 1 and 1/2 inches thick) of the most delicious beef we've tasted.  This Prime Rib was tender, juicy, perfectly cooked, and I swear it did melt in the mouth...chewing was optional.  It came with choice of potato (mashed potatoes are two scoops and homemade!), gravy and Navajo Fry Bread.  It also came with a generous side salad; the salad dressings, as well as the gravies, are house made; no bottled stuff.


I decided to try out the Country Fried Steak; a meal that no restaurant should mess up, and Susie's does a most excellent job.  The breading on the steak is one I've not tasted before, lightly seasoned, yet hearty; crispy, yet combines with the meat to create a wonderful mouth feel.  I too had the mashed potatoes, and corn for my vegetable; the gravy was peppery, but didn't take flavor away from the meat or potatoes.  Honey is a basic condiment on the table, so we saved our fry bread for dessert...it was a perfect finish to a perfect meal.

The atmosphere and staff are both welcoming and friendly; the food is top notch; whether for lunch or dinner, you must try out Susie's Branding Iron when in the Moab area...and they do take out service too.

Mary Cokenour

Goodbye 2013 and Hello to 2014; Wonder What's in Store for the New Year?

Wish List for the 2014 New Year

Every New Year, it's a tradition to make a list of "resolutions" that most people end up not keeping. It's a good concept, but unfortunately we tend to make goals for ourselves that are more wishful thinking than practical. Then there is the "wish list"; concepts or ideals that we hope will get resolved for the New Year, but is dependent on others, not just ourselves; for instance, "World Peace". Back to being practical, this will more than likely not happen in our current lifetime, perhaps not at all in the lifetime of mankind itself. War is profitable, oh not to those fighting, losing their lives and leaving loved ones without them; but for those who are either greedy or need to prove that they are right. Politics and Religion do not go hand in hand, they are Siamese Twins joined in such a manner that any type of "surgery" guarantees death. The leaders of these groups have been raised up to the status of "omnipotent gods" instead of being recognized as simple human beings with flaws and capable of being wrong. Until the populace develops "common sense" and refuses to hold these humans in higher regard than their own lives, the business of war will always be more profitable than life itself. The popular quote from Rodney King is, "Why can't we all just get along?", but we cannot so long as the majority of human beings meekly follow along as "sheeple" those that they consider "right". If each political and/or religious leader is right, than how can anyone be wrong, and what is all the fighting truly about?

So for the New Year of 2014, I'm not going to waste my time making resolutions that I probably will not keep, perhaps not even begin. I am going to make a wish list that is dependent on others. Why? I want to see if anyone is listening, not just hearing; I want to see if anyone cares about a stranger and wants to help her obtain her "wish list" for a very simple reason...just because.

Wish #1: All loans and credit card debts are paid off in full. Start the New Year off free of all old debts; begin at zero and build upwards instead of being held down.














An old fashioned "comfort food" diner; yeah, that's my dream.

Wish #2: My food blog, Food Adventures of a Comfort Cook, becomes so popular that an entrepreneur actually wants to invest money into the restaurant idea I dream about.



Wish #3: My travel blog, The Southwest Through Wide Brown Eyes becomes so popular that a company actually gives me a brand new Jeep or SUV (with their advertising printed on the vehicle) for my use in furthering my excursions.








 



Wish #4: For my husband, Roy, that his Artwork becomes so high in demand, he can finally afford to build his own art studio and do what he went to school to study for, and loves. Or he gets that high paying job with a studio, either way he would be doing what he loves. The picture I've posted is one he did by taking one of my photos of Agathla Peak and doing "photo manipulation" to it; Roy's passion is graphic arts and digital artwork.

"El Diablo Towers" - a photo manipulation of Agathla Peak

Wish #5: This wish is for the town I live in, Monticello, Utah and has several parts.

A: That common sense finally prevails, more businesses are allowed into the town limits, allowed to flourish and, thereby, providing more funds for the town itself.






B: That the housing market has an upsurge; all properties are finally purchased, homeowners have, or receive, the finances to upgrade their homes; that Monticello, Utah makes it into the "Top 100 Places to Live in the USA" list.














C: That the town becomes a tourist mecca; employment will be non-existent due to the need; businesses of all types will, again, flourish.




Wish #6: That the medical professions and pharmaceutical companies stop jerking everyone around and finally release the cures for cancer, diabetes, AIDS and other diseases/illnesses that are so very profitable for them. I have Type 2 Diabetes and am so sick and tired of pills and insulin shots; I'm sick of pharmaceutical companies putting out commercials saying that as soon as you're diagnosed, you must use their products or suffer the consequences, including death. I'm sick of organizations asking for research donations, and they're the same organizations I've been seeing begging for money for over 50 years. What are they doing with all that money, over all those years, that they haven't developed a cure yet!!??!!

Six wishes, I'm not going to be greedy; then again, I'm not a politician or religious leader. Not all the wishes are about me either, they're about my husband, the town I live in, and for those suffering medically. I have lots of wishes inside my head, but I'm sticking to these six, since they're the most important of all to me.

Have fun at your end of the old year parties; don't drink till you end the year looking like a total ass; the next day is a whole new year and people will be remembering. Most especially do not drink and drive; don't end the year by ending your own life and/or the lives of others.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone, everywhere; and for my wish list...bring it on!!!

Mary Cokenour