Cold Poblano And Grape Soup Recipes

CHILLED GRAPE SOUP

Steps:

• Put cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and zest strips on cheesecloth and tie it closed.
• Sprinkle gelatin over 1 tablespoon grape juice in a small cup and let soften about 1 minute.
• Bring wine, remaining 1 1/2 cups white grape juice, sugar, nutmeg, and cheesecloth bag to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart saucepan, then remove from heat and add gelatin mixture, stirring with a metal spoon (see cooks' note, below) until dissolved.
• Transfer soup to a bowl and chill, covered, in a larger bowl of ice and cold water in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
• Just before serving, discard cheesecloth bag and add grated zest and grapes to soup.

CREAMY POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Arrange the poblanos on a sheet pan, then position 4-6 inches under the broiler; cook until charred on all sides, turning every few minutes, about 8-12 minutes total. Transfer the poblanos to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let steam for 10 minutes the peel, seed and chop the peppers. Discard the skin, stems and seeds. Set aside. (Can do this one day before).
• Add the ground beef to a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook stirring often, until the fat is rendered and the beef has begun to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic.
• Add the chopped poblanos, corn, and oregano and continue to cook until the corn has cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add a little olive oil if mixture seems dry.
• Add the chicken stock and cream cheese and simmer until the cheese melts and the flavors meld, about 5 minutes more.
• Stir in the cream and the cooked ground beef.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Simmer until the soup is warmed through and serve at once.
• Top with shredded monteray jack cheese before serving.
• Refrigerate any leftovers.

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.