Rajas Recipes

RAJAS POBLANAS (POBLANO STRIPS)

Steps:

• Blend the crema, cream cheese, and chicken bouillon in a blender until smooth; set aside.
• Place the peppers on a large griddle over medium-high heat. Roast until the skin blisters and turns black. Remove peppers from griddle and place in a plastic bag, allowing them to sweat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Peel and discard the outer skin of the peppers; halve length-wise and remove the seeds and veins. Slice into thick strips. Set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook the onion in the hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the corn into the onions, reduce the heat to medium, and cook another 5 minutes. Add the poblano strips to the saucepan. Pour the cream mixture over the vegetables and bring to a simmer; cook at a simmer until hot, about 5 minutes more.

RAJAS

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Secure each onion slice horizontally with a wooden pick and brush both sides with oil. Season onion slices with salt and pepper and grill with chiles and bell peppers on an oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals, turning them occasionally, until soft and charred, about 20 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves, peel, seed, and devein chiles. Peel bell peppers and discard seeds and ribs. Cut chiles and bell peppers into strips.
• Heat a dry comal or flat iron griddle over moderately low heat until hot and pan-roast garlic, turning it occasionally to ensure even roasting, until browned and soft throughout, about 25 to 30 minutes. Discard garlic skin.
• In a small heavy skillet dry-roast oregano over moderate heat until fragrant and beginning to brown, shaking skillet occasionally, about 2 minutes. In a bowl mash together oregano, garlic, and salt to taste. Add onion slices, separated into rings, chiles, and bell peppers and toss to combine well.

RAJAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Roast the chilies over an open flame or on a griddle until blackened but not charred. Wrap the chilies in a towel and place them in a plastic bag for about 10 minutes. Remove the chilies and with the help of a kitchen towel rub the skins off. The chilies should be firm. Cut them in 1/2-inch strips discarding all the seeds and the ribs. Do not rinse them. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chilies and the onions at the same time. Stir often. When everything is soft add all the sour cream and the chicken bouillon granules to taste. When the cream is hot turn off the burner and add the cheese. Cover immediately. Enjoy with warm tortillas and white rice.

CREAMY POBLANO PEPPER STRIPS (RAJAS)

Steps:

• Char the poblano chiles directly over the gas flame on the stove or under the broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in a plastic bag and let steam for about 10 minutes.
• Add the oil to a heavy large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the corn and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Peel and seed the chiles. Cut the chiles into 1/4 to 1/2-inch strips (rajas) and add the strips to the onion and corn mixture and saute until the corn is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and Mexican crema and cook until bubbling, about for 8 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season the rajas with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving dish and serve.