Nuevo Cafe Poblano Soup Recipes

POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the poblanos skin-side down until blistering, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• While the poblanos are cooling, spray the grill pan with nonstick cooking spray and grill the Cotija cheese on all sides until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Cube the cheese and reserve for garnish.
• Remove and discard the blistered skin from the poblanos. Dice 1 poblano and reserve for garnish. Roughly chop the remaining 2 poblanos.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and the 2 chopped poblanos and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the Jack cheese. Pour in the 1 quart chicken broth and bring to a rolling boil. Add the cilantro. Boil for 30 seconds and then remove from the heat. Carefully puree until smooth with a handheld immersion blender or in 2 to 3 batches in a blender (do not fill the blender more than halfway full per batch). Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
• Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking together the cornstarch with 4 teaspoons cold water or chicken broth in a small bowl. Stir the slurry into the soup to thicken. Season with salt.
• Garnish with the pepitas, diced poblano and grilled Cotija cheese.

ROASTED POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the poblanos and roast them in the oven at 400F. Give them a flip after 15 minutes. They'll be mostly roasted in another 10-15 minutes, so 25-30 minutes total roasting time in the oven.
• Add 3 tablespoons butter to a saucepan on medium heat. Roughly chop an onion and add it to the saucepan, cooking for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Mince 4 garlic cloves and add to the onion, cooking for a minute or so.
• Add 3 tablespoons flour to the onion mixture and combine well. Add 4 cups of stock along with 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano (optional), a pinch of cumin (optional), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well. Simmer for 7-8 minutes.
• Once the poblano peppers have cooled a bit, pull off as much skin as you can but don't worry about getting rid of all of it. Then de-stem and de-seed the poblanos. Roughly chop the poblano pieces and add them to the saucepan.
• Cook until everything is at a uniform temp and then combine the mixture in a blender. Be sure to use caution when blending hot liquids -- I usually just hold a paper towel over any openings just in case you get a geyser.
• Return mixture to the saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Salt to taste. I added another 1/4 teaspoon of salt but keep in mind the salt level will depend on which stock you use.
• Serve immediately but don't forget to garnish! I used Crema, finely chopped cilantro stems, freshly ground pepper, and a couple dashes of Valentina hot sauce.
• The acidity of the hot sauce pairs well with the poblanos so feel free to re-garnish once you make your way through the top layer. Other options for acidity: lemon/lime juice or vinegars.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.