Cilantro Poblano Paste Recipes

CILANTRO PASTE

Steps:

• Rinse the cilantro well and pat dry. Place the leaves in a food processor with the garlic, coconut milk, peanuts and lime juice.
• Process into a fine puree and season with 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste. Divide into 1/4 cup containers and freeze.
• USES: Use to liven up a Tofu and vegetable salad or to spoon into a plain chicken broth with vermicelli.

POBLANO PEPPER-CILANTRO RICE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and chiles and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, salt, cilantro and parsley, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer to a blender with 1/2 cup of the stock. Process on high speed until smooth.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the puree and cook, stirring, to evaporate most of the liquid, about 2 minutes.
• Add the remaining stock, stir and cover, and lower the heat to medium-low. Simmer without stirring, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit without stirring for 10 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve, garnished with additional cilantro.

CILANTRO-POBLANO PASTE

Steps:

• Roast the poblano peppers directly over a gas flame or under the broiler as close to the heat as possible, turning frequently, until charred all over. Transfer the poblanos to a paper bag and set aside to steam for 10 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, scrape off the blackened skins and remove the cores, seeds and stems. Finely dice the poblanos.
• In a food processor, blend the garlic and cilantro to a coarse paste. Add the poblanos, miso, soy sauce, lime juice and zest; process until a chunky paste forms. Use or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.