Rajas Salsa Recipes

Steps:

• Place the chiles, cilantro, garlic and onion in a medium Dutch oven. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, 5 to 6 cups. Bring the water to a boil and allow everything to bubble for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and cover. Steep until the chiles have softened and the liquid has cooled, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer the contents of the Dutch oven to a blender using tongs and a ladle. Process everything until well combined, about 1 minute. Remove the lid of the blender and add the tomatoes and olive oil. Blend for another 30 seconds.
• Place a mesh strainer over the Dutch oven and pour the puree into it. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to slowly help all of the liquid through the strainer. Discard the pulp. Bring the strained roja to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow it to cool completely.
• Stir in the salt, black pepper and lime juice. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy with tortilla chips or anything that needs a little kick.

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.

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium high.
• For the Bobby's rub for beef and pork: Combine the ancho chile, coriander, mustard, paprika, black pepper, salt, chile de arbol, cumin and oregano in a bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons for the mushrooms. (Store the remaining spice rub, tightly covered, in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.)
• For the portobello mushrooms and rajas: Brush the mushrooms generously with canola oil and season the gill sides with the reserved 2 tablespoons spice rub. Brush the Anaheim chile and bell peppers with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the mushrooms spice-side down on the grill. Put the peppers on the grill and cover the grill. Grill the mushrooms, turning once, until a knife inserted in the thickest part meets no resistance, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Grill the Anaheim chile and bell peppers, turning, until charred on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes (the Anaheim will take a few minutes less than the bell peppers). Transfer the peppers and chile to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rest 10 minutes.
• For the tortillas and toppings: While the peppers rest, warm the tortillas on the grill a few seconds on each side; keep warm.
• Remove the skins and seeds from the bell peppers and chile. Thinly slice the peppers, chile and mushrooms and combine in a bowl. Add the cilantro, olive oil, scallions, Fresno chiles, lime juice and salt and pepper.
• Fill the tortillas with the vegetable mixture and top with queso fresco and a squeeze of lime.

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.

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.