Have you ever had rajas? They are strips of poblano peppers, corn and onions in a delish creamy, cheesy sauce. They are ridiculously good. I like them as a side dish or put into a quesadilla. Handsome Hubby likes them wrapped in a warm corn tortilla.
However you eat them… they are crazy good, and they are a big hit whenever I serve them.
My version is adapted from Marcela Valladolid’s. You can see her’s here.
RAJAS
- 6 fresh poblano chiles (they are sometimes called pasilla)
- 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large white onion thinly sliced
- 4 ears fresh corn
- 1/2cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup, shredded Monterrey jack cheese
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Start by charring your poblanos. Wash and dry them, then set directly on your stove burner. You want to burn the skin and have it turn black. You are not trying to cook them. I made the mistake of trying to char them on my gas BBQ once and all I did was end up cooking them, which made them mushy.
Keep turning them with tongs until they are charred all over, then quickly put them into a large ziploc style bag and let them sit for about 15 minutes. The steam in the bag helps to loosen the skin.
Take them one at a time and you are literally going to wipe off the skin with paper towels. Either take great care not to get the peppers on your hands too much, or wear gloves. You can get a chemical burn if you have your fingers directly on these too long.
When the peppers are peeled, cut off the tops, slit one side to open it up flat and use a knife to scrape out any seeds. Cut the peppers into thin strips that are about an inch long and set aside.
Take your ears of fresh corn and cut the kernels off with a sharp knife. A tip Marcela gave was to cut the corn on top of a clean dish towel. It keeps the kernels from bouncing everywhere, and when you’re done, you can just pick up the towel and sort of pour the kernels where you need them….
… in this case on a hot griddle or large skillet that has a little oil or butter on it. Mix the kernels around to get them coated and then let them sit without stirring for a few minutes over medium high heat. You want them to caramelize a little bit. Stir every so often until they’ve achieves that “roasted corn” look. Set aside.
Peel the onion and slice in half. Slice each half in thin strips. In another skillet over medium high heat, add the vegetable oil and the butter. Sautee the onion for about 5 minutes. Add the corn and cook another minute of two.
Add the poblano strips and stir. Cook an additional minute or so, then add the heavy cream and sour cream (you can also use creme fraiche or Mexican Crema if you can find it). Stir and cook until bubbling. Add the Jack cheese and stir until smooth. Add salt and pepper and serve.
Oh so yummy! Enjoy!
That sounds amazing!!
i’ve never had the opportunity to try these…but they look scrumptious…thanks for linking to fridays unfolded!
alison
Oh my goodness! This looks so good! I am pinning this one! Thanks for sharing it with us at Inspiration Friday!
Heather
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing and I can get Mexican Crema pretty easily here in Phoenix so I will give it a try with that!
Thanks for sharing on the hop
nekoknits.blogspot.com
YUM! I only recently had rajas at a restaurant and….DELISH! Thanks for teaching us how to make them and for sharing at this week’s BFF link party!
Mmmm….. that does sound good!
Looks delicious! I may have to try to make this.
Viv, you inspire me to quit with the take out and actually cook once in a while. Yay and boo.
That sounds ahmazing…..come over tonight and make them for me…..please????
~Becca
Oh my goodness, those look so yummy! Is it wrong that I’m drooling over poblano dip at 8am? haha. 🙂
If you’d like, I wanted to invite you to share your best recipes over at my new party, Recipe Sharing Monday at Jam Hands. I’m going to be featuring my favorite submissions during the week and I’d love it if you’d join in the fun. :O)
I know that you have so many blog parties to choose from so thank you for choosing Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop. This amazing post added to the party blast! Enjoy the rest of the week 🙂
This looks amaaaaaazing! My husband has been dying to use the poblanos in our garden and this is what we are going to make! Thanks for the inspiration.
I would love for you to link your recipe up at my Savvy HomeMade Monday blog party which is still going on at
http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/2011/07/28/savvy-homemade-monday-party-1/
This looks amaaaaaazing! My husband has been dying to use the poblanos in our garden and this is what we are going to make! Thanks for the inspiration.
I would love for you to link your recipe up at my Savvy HomeMade Monday blog party which is still going on at
http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/2011/07/28/savvy-homemade-monday-party-1/
This looks really yummy! I think I’ll try to make it soon. Also, I noticed that you have a pinterest link on your sidebar. If you would be so kind to send me an invite I would love to be your follower.