The most important men in my life all have one thing in common: they are, among other things, die hard green chile fans. Watching my dad, grandpa and my uncles at the dinner table anticipating the goodness that was green chile stew, sticks in my mind like a movie reel. As young girls my sister and I would try to hang in there with the heat, knowing it was surely in our blood, but usually passed our plates onto the guys and opted for something less spicy.
Now as I look back on the tastes and flavors that shaped my palate, this is definitely one of them. Roasted Hatch green chile is divine to those raised in the Southwest. Ive also seen newbies get hooked- and give into the craving of the pungent, roasty, mild spice of New Mexico green chile.