Roasted Corn Poblano Chowder Recipes

ROASTED POBLANO CORN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Blacken all sides of the poblano peppers under broil in the oven, roasting and turning them until each side is blackened. Place the peppers in a paper bag to sweat the skins. When they are cool, use your fingers or a paper towel to remove the skins and discard them. Cut the peppers in half, destem, and deseed. Roughly chop the peppers and set aside.
• In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat, then add onion and saute until translucent. Add garlic and saute for a minute longer, then add potatoes, vegetable stock, cumin, thyme, and salt. Lower heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are soft but not falling apart. Add fresh corn, chopped poblano chilies, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Blend the soup to make a thick base. I use an immersion blender. Stir in the half and half.
• Pour the soup into bowls. Top with pepper, cilantro, avocado, and lime slices.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN CHOWDER W/ ROASTED CORN AND POBLANO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Spread whole kernel corn one-layer deep over cookie sheet. Roast at 400 for approximately 15 - 20 minutes, until kernels brown slightly. Remove from pan; reserve. (If you prefer not to roast corn, that would be fine.).
• Peel potatoes and chop, about 3/4". Place in pot, cover with water plus one inch. Do not add salt. Cook through; when fork passes through potatoes easily, they are done. Drain and reserve.
• Heat oil in large stockpot over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, garlic, poblano peppers (see note #1 below), salt, white pepper, cumin, all chili powders or blends (see note #2 below), and thyme. Saute for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
• (**For a more creamy soup, when the veggies are tender, add a cup of chicken stock to mixture and transfer to blender. Puree and return to the pot. Alternatively, for half creamy/half chunky consistency, take half (or more, or less) the veggies, add the stock and puree, then return to pot.**).
• Stir in chicken bouillon (suggestion: do it by quarters and taste. Too much bouillon can add unneeded salt). Add (the rest of) the chicken broth, tomato sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, cilantro and corn and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. After this, add potatoes and the chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until the chowder is thick and the chicken and potatoes are heated through.
• Shortly before the chowder is done, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes to cook the flour. Do not allow the mixture to brown! Ladle 1 cup of the hot liquid from the stockpot into the skillet, whisking constantly.
• When the first cup of liquid is incorporated, add another 2 cups of liquid, 1 at a time. Pour the mixture in the skillet into the stockpot, whisking to blend. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes longer, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove pot from the heat. Stir in cream, blending, heating. Serve.
• note #1:Green poblanos are always cooked or roasted. Use broiler or gas oven. After 80% of the skin has blistered, place poblanos in brown paper bag for ten minutes. Then under cold running water rub off tough outer skin, seed and peel, then chop/dice.
• note #2: Canned chipotles work as well, simply mince them and add to soup according to desired heat. Dehydrated chipotles work too; grind them then add according to desired heat.
• note #3: Go slowly with nutmeg and cinnamon, as these are unique flavors. Some like more, some like less.
• note #4: Salt and pepper amounts listed are somewhat conservative. Adjust to your personal taste.