Just like mom used to make

Patricia West-Barker | The New Mexican

5/6/2008 - 5/7/08

Many New Mexicans know Adela Amador as the author of "Southwest Flavor," the popular food column in New Mexico magazine for almost 13 years. But it was a slim volume she and her husband, Harry Willson, wrote for their two sons and later self-published that first brought her to the magazine's attention.

"When the kids were in college they were calling to say they wanted to make some bizcochitos for Christmas, asking how to make tortillas, that kind of thing ..." Amador said in a recent telephone interview. "We were sitting down by the fire, and I said, 'Why don't we just make a little something and give it to them for Christmas with some of the recipes that they are asking for'— so we did
12 recipes and sent them off."

Amador and Willson later thought their recipe collection, which they titled Twelve Gifts: Recipes from a Southwest Kitchen, would make a nice pamphlet, so they brought it to New Mexico magazine. The magazine wasn't interested in publishing the booklet, but hired Amador to write its food column — which she did from 1993 to 2006.

Amador and Willson published Twelve Gifts themselves, "and it sold very well," Amador said. Seventeen years later, it's still very popular as a gift, she said, especially at Christmas time.

A second self-published book of recipes, More Gifts from a Southwest Kitchen, followed. After being unavailable for years, More Gifts was recently reprinted with the original art and calligraphy by Claiborne O'Connor, who also illustrated Twelve Gifts.

The books are small and inexpensive ($5). They are also charmingly illustrated. Recipes are simple and direct. You'll find no fancy techniques or elaborate instruction in these homey Northern New Mexico favorites — just honest approaches to a comforting plate of bizcochitos, a warming bowl of posole, a sweet bread that takes advantage of the new crop of apricots.



WHAT: Amador Publishers Mother's Day book bash celebrating the reprint of More Gifts from a Southwest Kitchen by Adela Amador, illustrated by Claiborne O'Connor. Twelve Gifts: Recipes from a Southwest Kitchen and other books published by Amador will also be available for purchase. Refreshments — samples of recipes from Amador's cookbooks — will be served.

WHEN: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 11

WHERE: Art is... OK & Company Gallery & Sculpture Plaza, 3301 Menaul Blvd. N.E., Suite 28, Albuquerque

PRICE: Free and open to the public




More Gifts from a Southwest Kitchen ($5) and other books by Adela Amador can be ordered:

* online at www.amadorbooks.com

* by mailing a check to P.O. Box 12335, Albuquerque, NM 87195

* by calling 505-877-4395 with a credit card