Does your state have an official cookie? New Mexico does, since 1989. It’s the biscochito–another of Grandma Mary’s award winning treats and the one for which she is best known.
Biscochitos allegedly come from Spain, perhaps, brought over with the Spanish explorers. This flaky deliciousness is made by New Mexican’s for special occasions, especially Christmas. It’s one of the things that makes the season for me.
A few years ago, Grandma Mary was featured on Food Nation with Bobby Flay for her biscochito recipe. His crew shot the episode at her house. My Great Aunt Margie was also featured for her empanadas.
Grandma Mary, Bobby Flay and Aunt Margie in Grandma's House for the Food Nation taping.
The baking is on in my house. And, this year, it will last through the new year until Jan. 6, 2012 when New Mexico celebrates 100 years of statehood.
Happy Centennial baking!
Morrow Family Ranch 
What a great memory for your family! These look so good! I will certainly be trying this recipe, but first, I’ll need to buy some lard!
Yep! Don’t bother with anything else but lard. It’s just not the same. This is why I don’t make them very often!
I was just getting ready to ask if lard had a substitute for this recipe, but I got my answer! This is such an unusual recipe. I really want to try it!
Luckily, lard is cheap along with the other easy ingredients! It’s not a terribly sweet cookie and it’s best with a hot drink in the early morning.
So I clicked on the recipe and read “lard,” which made me laugh. My second daughter asked me several days ago for a cream cheese roll-out cookie recipe, the one I use for Christmas cookies. As she read through the ingredients, she asked about the lard on the list. “Oh, that means Crisco,” I told her. Her dad interjected, “No that means you have to render your own lard.” She looked at him with one of those “what is he talking about?” looks.
Happy baking!
That’s funny! They do have lard at the grocery… I would never make these if I had to render my own!
Do you think she would consider trying to render it herself?
Oh, my gosh, no. I have horrible memories of the smell of lard being rendered. The thought of it makes me gag.
Ewww.
How awesome that she was featured on a TV show. I’m not sure if this state or any of the others we’ve lived in ever had a “state cookie”. I will have to investigate! Yours look fantastic.
Happy investigating!
They are so worth the extra calories! They taste best in the morning with coffee (or chai tea in my case). Give them a try and let me know what you think.
These cookies look great, and those ladies look very sophisticated and beautiful! -kate
I only hope I look that good as I age!
What do you use for the sweet table wine?
I use whatever we have (Today, I used Marsala. Not exactly sweet, but it doesn’t really change the flavor).