Nuevo Cafe Poblano Soup Recipes

ROASTED POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the poblanos and roast them in the oven at 400F. Give them a flip after 15 minutes. They'll be mostly roasted in another 10-15 minutes, so 25-30 minutes total roasting time in the oven.
• Add 3 tablespoons butter to a saucepan on medium heat. Roughly chop an onion and add it to the saucepan, cooking for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Mince 4 garlic cloves and add to the onion, cooking for a minute or so.
• Add 3 tablespoons flour to the onion mixture and combine well. Add 4 cups of stock along with 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano (optional), a pinch of cumin (optional), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well. Simmer for 7-8 minutes.
• Once the poblano peppers have cooled a bit, pull off as much skin as you can but don't worry about getting rid of all of it. Then de-stem and de-seed the poblanos. Roughly chop the poblano pieces and add them to the saucepan.
• Cook until everything is at a uniform temp and then combine the mixture in a blender. Be sure to use caution when blending hot liquids -- I usually just hold a paper towel over any openings just in case you get a geyser.
• Return mixture to the saucepan and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Salt to taste. I added another 1/4 teaspoon of salt but keep in mind the salt level will depend on which stock you use.
• Serve immediately but don't forget to garnish! I used Crema, finely chopped cilantro stems, freshly ground pepper, and a couple dashes of Valentina hot sauce.
• The acidity of the hot sauce pairs well with the poblanos so feel free to re-garnish once you make your way through the top layer. Other options for acidity: lemon/lime juice or vinegars.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

NUEVO LATINO

Steps:

• In a large pot, over high heat, coat bottom of pot with oil and brown off the chicken breast until golden on both sides. The chicken may have to be browned off in smaller batches to brown evenly. Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Next, add the onion, jalapeno, and the poblano pepper to the pan and saute over medium high heat for 3 minutes. Deglaze with beer and add all other ingredients. Return chicken to the pot and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer for approximately 1 hour or until chicken is falling apart. Remove the chicken at this point and set aside to cool. Use a stick blender to puree the mole and continue to cook over medium heat until the sauce has become thick. Once chicken is cooled, shred chicken and toss with hot mole just before serving.
• For the arroz con pollo rice cakes:
• Place red bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a food processor and pulse ingredients until finely chopped. In a medium sized pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and saute red bell pepper, onion, and garlic mix for about 3 minutes. Next, add the basmati rice and continue to stir for about 3 more minutes. Add the chicken broth and the cumin seeds and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and cover and cook approximately 15 to 20 minutes until all liquid has evaporated. Spread the rice out onto a sheet try and let cool. Once rice is completely cooled, place rice in a medium sized mixing bowl and mix in all other ingredients. Form 8 even sized rice cakes (or patties). In a medium sized saute pan over medium-high heat, cook the rice cakes until golden brown on both sides and cooked through on the inside.
• For the red pepper sofrito:
• Place red bell peppers, onions, and garlic in a food processer and pulse ingredients until finely chopped. In a medium saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook red bell pepper, onion, and garlic mix for approximately 10 minutes or until the raw onion flavor has mellowed. Season with salt and pepper and set mixture aside until ready to serve.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the poblano peppers, jalapenos, and the garlic on a sheet try and roast in oven until peppers are charred (almost black) and garlic is golden brown and soft. Set aside and allow to cool. Next, (using rubber gloves) remove seeds from the poblano peppers and the jalapenos. Place into a food processor along with garlic and all other remaining ingredients, except oil. While machine is running, slowly add enough oil to emulsify mixture. The mixture should be nice and smooth. Set aside until ready to serve.
• For the black bean ragu:
• In a medium pot over medium-high heat, heat oil and saute the poblano pepper and onion for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Next, add all other remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-low and cook approximately for 30 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated (it should resemble a thick chili). Turn heat to low (as low as you can) and still frequently until ready to serve.
• Place approximately 1/2 cup of black bean ragu on a plate and then place 2 rice cakes on top of the ragu. Put a spoonful of red pepper sofrito on top of each rice cake.
• Next toss the shredded chicken with the mole and place chicken on top of rice cakes. Drizzle a little of the roasted poblano pesto on top of the chicken and garnish with plantain chips. Serve immediately.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut butternut squash in half, lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
• Place cut sides down on a baking sheet with the poblano pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until squash is cooked through.
• Remove squash flesh (once it's cool enough to touch) and put it in medium-large pot.
• Remove the skin of the poblano (it looks a little plastic-y), tear the flesh into pieces/strips and drop in the pot.
• Add the stock/water and puree in a blender or using an immersion blender.
• Add cumin and pepper (black or white).
• Add lime juice.
• Cook over medium heat until it is reduced to a consistency that you like, stirring occasionally. If you add more water, it may be necessary to blend again.
• Serve with a dollop of sour cream and/or some chopped fresh cilantro.

POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Broil Poblano and jalapeno pepper until charred on both sides. When the peppers are cool enough to handle, peel off the charred skin, and set aside.
• Melt butter in a medium-sized pot.
• Add onion and garlic. Saute for a few minutes.
• Add flour and salt and stir for a few more minutes.
• Add broth and whisk to combine.
• Remove seeds from the peppers, then dice. Add to the pot, along with the potatoes. If you'd like some texture in your soup, leave one of the chopped poblanos to add after you puree the other peppers in the soup.
• Stir in jalapeno pickling liquid and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
• Use a hand-held immersion blender to puree the soup. Stir in the reserved chopped Poblano, and cream before serving.

POTATO POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• In a heavy Dutch oven or stockpot, fry the bacon over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to brown. Toss in the onions, half of the diced Poblanos, the salt and pepper and cook until slightly golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Spoon out any excess fat. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly just to release the aroma, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook 20 minutes. Puree in a food processor or blender just until smooth, being careful not to over-process. Over-working will result in a gummy soup. Return to the pot, stir in the Crema, Creme Fraiche or sour cream and bring just to a boil. Stir in the remaining Poblanos for garnish. Sprinkle with grated Anejo, if desired, and serve hot.

POBLANO CHILE PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil. Place poblano chile peppers on a cookie sheet and place in oven. Allow skin to blacken and blister, turning the chile peppers until all sides are done. (Note: Do not overcook.) When they are done, place them in a paper bag and seal. In about 15 to 20 minutes, take them out of the bag and peel the skin off each one under running water. Remove the stems and seeds.
• In a blender, combine the chile peppers, broth, salt and pepper to taste and nutmeg. Blend until smooth. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk and set aside. In another saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter or margarine, add the flour and stir well. Add the warmed milk and stir until well blended. Add the chile pepper mixture and mix well. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.