The Tamalada Tradition: A New Mexican Christmas Gathering

Hands preparing tamales during a tamalada, with corn husks, masa, vegetables, and seasoned meat filling spread across the table for a holiday gathering.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make tamales or why they hold such a special place in New Mexico, the answer is bigger than the recipe itself. Across the Southwest, tamales are a celebratory holiday dish. Every December, kitchens fill with the smell of red chile and masa to gather for the beloved tamalada. At Loma Vista Products, we honor … Read More

Sugar & Spice: Cinnamon, Anise, and Chile in Popular New Mexican Sweets

A plate of golden churros dusted with cinnamon sugar, dipped in chocolate sauce, and served with coffee.

If you’ve ever tasted traditional Mexican desserts, you know sweetness is only half the story. In New Mexican desserts, every cookie, pastry, and chocolate comes with a hint of warmth. Cinnamon for comfort, anise for nostalgia, and a touch of chile heat for surprise and interest. At Loma Vista Products, we celebrate that perfect balance of sweet and spice with … Read More

From Tamales to Posole: New Mexican Holiday Recipes With Loma Vista

A festive holiday table filled with hot dishes surrounded by Christmas lights and decorations.

When the holidays arrive, New Mexico kitchens come alive with the smell of red chile, cinnamon, and corn masa. From Christmas tamales to bowls of warm posole, every dish tells a story of family, celebration, and home life. At Loma Vista Products, we believe holiday cooking should honor tradition while keeping things simple and flavorful. Our chiles, spices, and traditional … Read More

Low-Sodium Meals, Max Flavor: 5 Salt-Free Blends for Healthier Cooking

Chef holding a saucepan over a cooktop with bell peppers steaming inside, surrounded by jars of colorful spices and herbs on a rustic table—highlighting salt-free cooking with low sodium seasoning blends.

Trying to cut back on salt but not on flavor? With the right salt-free seasoning blends, low sodium dishes can be just as rich, savory, and satisfying. Whether you’re managing blood pressure or just cooking more consciously, low sodium recipes can turn healthy dishes into craveable favorites. At Loma Vista Products, we’re all about real Southwestern flavors without unnecessary fillers. … Read More

Family-Friendly Corn Husk DIY Crafts Inspired by Southwest Heritage

Hands painting a small white pumpkin on a fall craft table with leaves, paints, and candles, showcasing typical Thanksgiving crafts.

Ever save the husks after a Thanksgiving feast and wonder what else you could do with them? In the Southwest, corn husk dolls and festive decorations have long been part of seasonal gatherings. They add warmth and meaning to the harvest season. At Loma Vista Products, we honor the deep ties between food, culture, and creativity. Corn has always been … Read More

What Is the Scoville Scale? A Brief FAQ Guide for Pepper Spice

Bowl of bright yellow habanero peppers and red chile de árbol peppers, showing different heat levels on the Scoville heat scale.

Why does one pepper make you sweat, another makes you cry, and a third barely tickles? The answer comes down to the Scoville heat scale. This spicy measurement has ranked peppers for more than 100 years, giving us a way to compare chile heat in numbers and not just in tears. At Loma Vista Products, we celebrate the rich flavors … Read More

How To Cook Red Chile Pods To Use in Sauces, Tamales, and More

Close-up of dried red chile pods on a rustic burlap cloth, showing their deep red color and wrinkled texture, great for making red chile sauces, enchilada sauces, tamales, birria, posole, and more.

Dried red chile pods are these deep red, wrinkled peppers that form the backbone of countless Southwestern and Mexican recipes. From velvety enchilada sauces to the base of a rich stew, they’re a staple in New Mexican kitchens for a good reason. At Loma Vista Products, we believe that the best dishes start with quality ingredients and time-honored methods. Our … Read More

5 Creative Dishes Using Corn Husks (That Aren’t Tamales!)

Grilled whole fish wrapped in corn husks with lemon, herbs, and spices, showing a traditional method of cooking with corn husks.

You can’t make classic tamales without soaking dried corn husks and filling them with steaming-hot masa. But cooking with corn husks doesn’t have to end there. These simple dried corn leaves have been used since ancient times in grilling, steaming, and even brewing methods. At Loma Vista Products, we honor Southwest ingredients and the traditions they carry. Our corn husks … Read More

Cooking With Dried Chicos: How To Use This New Mexican Gem

Close-up of dried corn kernels, fresh corn on the cob, and popped corn on a blue wooden table.

If you live outside the Southwest, chances are you’ve never seen a bag of corn chicos in your local grocery store. While they may look just like any other kernel, dried chicos are a true New Mexican specialty. At Loma Vista Products, we’re proud to share this lesser-known heritage ingredient with a wider audience. New Mexico chicos aren’t just dried … Read More

7 Basic Southwest Herbs and Spices to Always Keep on Hand

An overhead view of glass bowls filled with various dried herbs and spices—perfect for building a basic kitchen spices list.

Every great dish starts with a solid foundation, and in most cases, that foundation is a well-stocked spice rack. Having a few essential herbs and spices on hand can change simple recipes into something seriously flavorful. At Loma Vista Products, we believe real flavor starts with real ingredients and seasonings. Our line of dried chiles, whole herbs, and warming spices … Read More