Sweet Potatoes With Poblano Chile Rajas Recipes

POTATOES WITH ROASTED POBLANO CHILES AND MEXICAN SOUR CREAM (PAPAS CON RAJAS Y CREMA ÁCIDA)

Steps:

• On an ungreased comal or in a cast-iron skillet over high heat, roast the chiles, turning them over every couple of minutes using tongs or your hands (carefully, so you don't get burned). You're looking for uniform blistering, but you don't want them to become too soggy in the process, especially if you intend to stuff them, since they need to hold their shape. The process will probably take 10 to 15 minutes. Once they are well blistered and before the flesh is completely charred through in any spots, place the peppers in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or in a bowl that you can cover with a plate (not a towel or anything porous) and set aside to "sweat" for about 10 minutes, or until they are cool enough to handle.
• Remove the charred skin from the whole chiles. Once you have removed and discarded the skin and seeds, cut them into rajas, or strips, about the width of fettuccine.
• In a small saucepan, cover the potatoes with 2 inches / 5cm water and add the salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease to low and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove one of the potatoes and taste it. The piece should be soft but not falling apart, still holding its cube shape. Cubed like this, they will cook quite quickly, so be attentive. Once they have the right texture, drain the potatoes and set aside in a medium bowl with a lid or cover the pan with a plate to keep them warm.
• Using the same comal or skillet in which you toasted your chiles, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it's hot but not smoking. Add the onion and sauté until it's translucent but not browned.
• In a saucepan, combine the potatoes, chiles, onion, and crema or crème fraîche. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. As the mixture cools, the starches will absorb some of the melted cream and help it firm up. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve as you wish!
• Do Ahead: These potatoes can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

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.

POBLANO POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Roast chiles and make rajas:
• Roast chiles on their sides on racks of gas burners on high, turning with tongs, until skins are blackened all over, about 10 minutes. Immediately transfer to a bowl and let stand, covered tightly, 10 minutes.
• When chiles are cool enough to handle, peel or rub off skin. Slit chiles lengthwise, then stem, seed, and devein. Cut lengthwise into thin strips.
• Cook onions with 1 teaspoon salt in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Stir in chiles and remove rajas from heat. Reserve 1/2 cup rajas for topping.
• Make gratin:
• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Generously butter a 3-quart shallow baking dish.
• Peel potatoes, then cut crosswise into 1/16-inch-thick slices with slicer. Transfer to a small heavy pot. Add cream, milk, and 1 teaspoon salt and bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally (liquid will thicken). Stir in rajas, then pour mixture evenly into baking dish. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup rajas on top.
• Bake until potatoes are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

SWEET POTATOES WITH POBLANO CHILE RAJAS

Steps:

• 1.Preheat the oven to 375'. Generously butter a 3-quart gratin dish, and set aside. Grease a cookie sheet and arrange the sweet potatoes on the sheet. Brush the potatoes with 1 1/2 Tbls. of the melted butter and spinkle with the salt. 2.Roast the poblanos directly over a gas flame or under the broiler,turning, until charred all over. Transfer the poblanos to a bowl, cover with plastic and let them steam for 15 minutes. Peel, core and seed the chiles, then cut them into 1/4 inch strips. 3.Transfer the poblanos to a bowl, add the onion rings and toss with the remaining 1 1/2 Tbls. of butter. In the gratin dish arrange the sweet potatoes in an overlapping layer. Scatter part of the chile/onion mixture over the sweet potatoes, continue with this process,finishing with a layer of sweet potatoes covered with the reserved poblano strips. 4.Reduce the oven temperature to 350' and roast the sweet potatoes for about 35 minutes, or until the poblanos and onions are tender and are just beginning to brown. Scatter the cilantro leaves on top, drizzle with creme fraiche and serve.