Rajas Poblanas

This chile pepper is often mislabeled ‘Pasilla’, which is a different pepper entirely.It is one of the most popular chiles in Mexico and has won the appreciation of many a chef worldwide because of the superior flavor it has over regular bell peppers.

They have a tough outer skin that usually requires roasting and peeling before use. These very large chile peppers are most popular in chiles rellenos recipes, but cooking with these as a substitute for bell peppers in any recipe will enhance the flavor.

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Ingredients:

2 pounds fresh large poblano chiles
1 onion, quartered, cut crosswise into 1/4″ slices
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
3/4 cup crème fraiîhe or sour cream
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack
Kosher salt
4 scallions, whites chopped, greens sliced

Instructions:

Makes 6 servings

Preheat broiler, build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. If broiling, place chiles on a rimmed baking sheet. If grilling, put chiles directly on grill grate. Roast, turning occasionally, until tender and nicely charred all over, 15-20 minutes.

Transfer chiles to a large bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 15 minutes. Peel chiles. Halve lengthwise and discard seeds. Cut crosswise into 1/4″ strips.

Heat a large dry heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until beginning to char, 6-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add oregano and 1 cup water; simmer until onion is tender and water has evaporated, 5-7 minutes.

Add chiles and cook until flavors meld, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in crème fraiîhe and cheese. Add water by tablespoonfuls if mixture is too dry. Season to taste with salt.

From Bon Appetit