Best Rajas Recipes

RAJAS CON CREMA, ELOTE, Y QUESO (CREAMY POBLANO PEPPERS AND SWEET CORN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and add poblano peppers. Brush peppers with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
• Roast poblano peppers in the preheated oven for 20 minutes; flip and continue roasting until skin is charred and flesh is soft, about 20 minutes more.
• Place roasted peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let steam for 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove plastic wrap and peel the skins from the peppers and remove seeds and stems. Cut peppers into strips.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil; cook corn kernels until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add poblano pepper strips and corn; season with chicken bouillon granules and cook for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in cream and manchego cheese; simmer until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

POBLANO AND CHEESE TAMALES (TAMALES DE RAJAS CON QUESO)

Steps:

• Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
• Line a heavy cast iron grill pan or griddle with aluminum foil and place over high heat. Arrange poblano peppers in a single layer on top. Grill until chiles are blackened, turning as necessary, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer into a resealable plastic bag and let them steam, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel off skin, seed, and cut them into strips.
• Place tomatillos in a pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and cook until they change color, about 5 minutes. Drain and place in a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add blended tomatillos and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until flavors are well combined, about 5 minutes. Add poblano peppers and cilantro and boil for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 10 minutes.
• Beat remaining lard in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add salt and continue beating for a few minutes. Add masa harina and baking powder and beat well until combined. Add chicken broth, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough has a smooth and workable consistency that is not too wet, similar to cookie dough. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep working the dough a little longer.
• Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of the tomatillo sauce and a piece of Monterey Jack cheese in the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

CREAMY POBLANO PEPPER STRIPS (RAJAS)

Steps:

• Char the poblano chiles directly over the gas flame on the stove or under the broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in a plastic bag and let steam for about 10 minutes.
• Add the oil to a heavy large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the corn and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Peel and seed the chiles. Cut the chiles into 1/4 to 1/2-inch strips (rajas) and add the strips to the onion and corn mixture and saute until the corn is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and Mexican crema and cook until bubbling, about for 8 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season the rajas with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving dish and serve.

POTATOES WITH ROASTED POBLANO CHILES AND MEXICAN SOUR CREAM (PAPAS CON RAJAS Y CREMA ÁCIDA)

Steps:

• On an ungreased comal or in a cast-iron skillet over high heat, roast the chiles, turning them over every couple of minutes using tongs or your hands (carefully, so you don't get burned). You're looking for uniform blistering, but you don't want them to become too soggy in the process, especially if you intend to stuff them, since they need to hold their shape. The process will probably take 10 to 15 minutes. Once they are well blistered and before the flesh is completely charred through in any spots, place the peppers in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or in a bowl that you can cover with a plate (not a towel or anything porous) and set aside to "sweat" for about 10 minutes, or until they are cool enough to handle.
• Remove the charred skin from the whole chiles. Once you have removed and discarded the skin and seeds, cut them into rajas, or strips, about the width of fettuccine.
• In a small saucepan, cover the potatoes with 2 inches / 5cm water and add the salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease to low and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove one of the potatoes and taste it. The piece should be soft but not falling apart, still holding its cube shape. Cubed like this, they will cook quite quickly, so be attentive. Once they have the right texture, drain the potatoes and set aside in a medium bowl with a lid or cover the pan with a plate to keep them warm.
• Using the same comal or skillet in which you toasted your chiles, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it's hot but not smoking. Add the onion and sauté until it's translucent but not browned.
• In a saucepan, combine the potatoes, chiles, onion, and crema or crème fraîche. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. As the mixture cools, the starches will absorb some of the melted cream and help it firm up. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve as you wish!
• Do Ahead: These potatoes can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

RAJAS POBLANAS (POBLANO STRIPS)

Steps:

• Blend the crema, cream cheese, and chicken bouillon in a blender until smooth; set aside.
• Place the peppers on a large griddle over medium-high heat. Roast until the skin blisters and turns black. Remove peppers from griddle and place in a plastic bag, allowing them to sweat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Peel and discard the outer skin of the peppers; halve length-wise and remove the seeds and veins. Slice into thick strips. Set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook the onion in the hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the corn into the onions, reduce the heat to medium, and cook another 5 minutes. Add the poblano strips to the saucepan. Pour the cream mixture over the vegetables and bring to a simmer; cook at a simmer until hot, about 5 minutes more.

EMPANADAS DE QUESO CON RAJAS (POBLANO CHILE AND CHEESE EMPANADAS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place poblano directly on the grates of a gas stove. Cook over medium heat, flipping with tongs occasionally, until blackened and charred, about 5 minutes. Place in a sealed plastic bag and allow to cool, 7 to 8 minutes. Peel off charred skins, remove seeds, and cut flesh into 1-inch squares.
• Place 1 1/2 tablespoons Manchego cheese onto each empanada disc. Top each with 1/2 tablespoon poblano peppers. Fold dough over on top of filling to close. Wet fingers with water and run them along the edges to help seal. Press edges together. Place empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and brush with beaten egg.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 24 to 26 minutes.

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK TACOS WITH ROASTED POBLANO RAJAS

Steps:

• 1. Marinating the Meat. In a food processor or blender combine one-quarter of the onions, the garlic, lime juice, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process to a smooth puree. Place the skirt steak in a nonaluminum baking dish. Using a spoon, smear the marinade over both sides of the skirt steak. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.
• 2. Making the Grilled Chile-and-Onion Rajas. Turn on the oven to its lowest setting. Heat a gas grill to medium high or light a charcoal fire and let it burn just until the coals are covered with gray ash and very hot. Either turn the burner(s) in the center of the grill to medium-low or bank the coals to the sides of the grill for indirect cooking. Set the cooking grate in place, cover the grill and let the grate heat up, 5 minutes or so.
• Lay the chiles on the hottest part of the grill, and cook, turning occasionally until the skin is blistered and uniformly blackened all over, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to char the flesh, only the skin. Remove the chiles from the grill and cover with a kitchen towel.
• While the chiles are roasting, brush or spray the remaining onion slice with oil and lay the whole rounds of onions on the grill in a cooler spot than you chose for the chiles. When they're starting to soften and are browned on the first side, about 10 minutes, use a spatula to flip them and brown the other side. Transfer to an ovenproof serving dish and separate the rings (if they haven't started separating during grilling).
• 3. Grilling the Meat. Remove the steak from the marinade and gently shake off the excess. Oil the steak well on both sides and lay it over the hottest part of the grill. Grill, turning once, until richly browned and done to your liking, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side for medium-rare (the way I like skirt steak).
• 4. Serving the tacos. Cut the long piece of skirt steak into 3-to 4-inch lengths, then cut each section across the grain (that is, in line with the full length of the steak) into thin strips. Mix with the chiles and onions, season with a little salt and set on the table along with the lime wedges and hot tortillas, for your guests to make into soft tacos.
• Working Ahead: Thin steaks like skirt taste best with a relatively short tour in the marinade - 1 to 8 hours. Leave them longer, and the marinade overpowers the flavor and saps the rosy color of the meat. The poblano-and-onion rajas can be made several hours ahead and left at room temperature; rewarm before serving. The steak, of course, must be grilled just before you're ready to eat.

RAJAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Roast the chilies over an open flame or on a griddle until blackened but not charred. Wrap the chilies in a towel and place them in a plastic bag for about 10 minutes. Remove the chilies and with the help of a kitchen towel rub the skins off. The chilies should be firm. Cut them in 1/2-inch strips discarding all the seeds and the ribs. Do not rinse them. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chilies and the onions at the same time. Stir often. When everything is soft add all the sour cream and the chicken bouillon granules to taste. When the cream is hot turn off the burner and add the cheese. Cover immediately. Enjoy with warm tortillas and white rice.

CRISPY POTATO RAJAS TACOS

Steps:

• For the potato rajas: Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook potatoes until just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Drain, pat dry, and spread in a single layer on a tray to cool.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions with salt and pepper until they begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in red bell peppers and chiles. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cook 4 minutes or until cream begins to thicken. Add grated cheeses and potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until just heated through. Remove from heat.
• For the tacos: Heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in a large, deep pot or deep fryer. Dip tortillas briefly, one at a time, into the hot oil, just to soften. Spoon potato rajas mixture into center of each softened tortilla. Fold in half to enclose mixture and secure with a toothpick threaded through the top edge of the tortilla. Deep fry tacos for 3 to 5 minutes, until crispy and lightly golden. Remove and drain thoroughly.
• To serve, spoon Chipotle Crema onto four serving plates, spreading a bit to create a bed for the tacos. Place Crispy Potato Rajas Tacos on top of crema. Finish by topping with generous spoonfuls of Border Guacamole and Corn Relish and serve immediately.
• Combine ingredients thoroughly in a small mixing bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Chill until ready to use.
• Cut the avocados into quarters and place in a mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or fork until chunky. Add the remaining ingredients and combine with a fork. Serve immediately.
• Heat 1/2 cup of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the corn with the salt and pepper, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool.
• Add diced peppers to the sauteed corn along with the scallions, red wine vinegar, and remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well and let sit 20 to 30 minutes to blend the flavors. Serve at room temperature.

CHEESE WITH ROASTED CHILE TAMALES: TAMALES DE QUESO CON RAJAS

Steps:

• Place corn husks in clean kitchen sink with plug to hold water, pour very hot water over husks and let soak. Take husks out of water and allow to drain in dish drainer (try to stand them straight up so that the water will drain easier).
• For the Masa: Place all dry ingredients in mixer and blend. Pour hot shortening into dry ingredients slowly and blend until evenly distributed about 2 minutes. Pour 1 quart of the hot chicken broth into mixture slowly so as not to splash. Mix on medium until incorporated. Slowly add additional broth to mixture until it is a slightly thicker consistency of hummus (spreadable). Mix on high for about 5 minutes to make it light and fluffy. Stir in the chiles.
• Mix all the cheese together and then make logs the size of a frankfurter, about 5 inches long and 3/4-inch thick. Cover and refrigerate.
• Take masa and husks to your area to begin spreading the masa. Take a husk and make sure that you have the smooth, shiny side up and put about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the masa and spread it with a metal spatula across the center of the husk and then down to about a 1/4-inch from the end and you should have at least 2-inches from the top. Chef's Note: I normally stack a few then I put a cheese log in and roll them up and place them in the steamer.
• When you have completed all of the stuffing and rolling, place them in the steamer and put on the stove top. Bring the steamer to a rolling boil and turn down to a medium boil and let cook for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours till done.

TACOS WITH ROASTED POTATOES, SQUASH AND PEPPERS (RAJAS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place potatoes on one baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, 3/4 teaspoon each of the ground cumin and chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread in an even layer.
• Place squash and onion slices on other parchment-covered baking sheet and toss with the remaining olive oil, salt to taste, cumin and chili powder.
• Depending on the size of your oven, roast vegetables together or separately on the middle rack. Roast potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender all the way through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Roast squash and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, until tender and lightly colored. Remove from oven and add to bowl with potatoes. Add pepper strips (rajas) and toss together. Season to taste with salt, and add more chili powder if desired. Keep warm.
• Spoon filling onto warm tortillas and add a generous spoonful of salsa. Top with goat cheese and serve.

FAJITAS WITH MARINATED FLANK STEAK AND RAJAS

Steps:

• Marinate the flank steak in the pickled jalapenos, at room temperature, for 1 hour.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.
• Season the steak with salt and pepper, to taste, and grill until nicely charred, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill and allow the steak to rest on a cutting board while preparing the rajas.
• Secure each piece sliced onion horizontally with wooden skewers. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill the onions, turning occasionally, until soft and charred, about 10 to 15 minutes. Put the poblano and jalapeno chiles on the grill and char them on all sides. Once the chiles are blackened on all sides, set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, remove the charred skin, stem and seeds. Cut the chiles into strips. Once the onions are cool enough to handle, remove the skewers and separate the onions into rings.
• Preheat a large cast iron pan or a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Slice the flank steak, on the bias, into thin strips. When the pan is hot, coat the bottom of the pan with some olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and dried oregano, and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sliced steak, onions and chile strips to the pan to heat through. Transfer to a serving platter and serve piping hot with flour tortillas, guacamole and pico de gallo.

PAPAS CON RAJAS (POTATOES AND PEPPERS)

Steps:

• Boil potatoes whole in salted water until done.
• Put poblanos on a cookie sheet and broil until black. Turn and blacken on all sides. Remove poblanos and put right into a plastic bag and seal so no steam escapes. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium high heat.
• Add onions and cook until wilted and slightly browned.
• Peel and cube cooked potatoes (about 1/2-inch cubes).
• Turn skillet temp up to high and add potaotes.
• You may need to add more oil. Potatoes tend to suck it all up and you want the potatoes to kind of "fry". You want to get some color on the potatoes, so stir and then let them cook and brown before stirring again. The potatoes will fall apart and kind of mash, but that's OK.
• Add lots of salt and some pepper to taste--do taste to make sure it is salty enough.
• Under running water, peel skins off of poblanos and remove stems and seeds.
• Coarsely chop poblanos.
• When potatoes have some nice color on them, add poblanos, garlic and queso fresco. Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Note: I use this as a filling for vegetarian tacos or for quesadillas, but they would be good as even a side dish or for breakfast instead of hashbrowns.

RAJAS CON QUESO MINI TAMALES

Steps:

• Make the tamale dough: Place the lard in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the masa harina and beat 2 minutes. Add the baking powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; continue beating until incorporated, about 5 minutes. Add the hot broth and continue beating until the dough is soft and fluffy (it should pull away from the side of the bowl easily). Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let sit about 10 minutes.
• Place the corn husks in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until softened, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Make the filling: Roast the poblanos over the flame of a gas burner, turning, until charred, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Peel the poblanos with your fingers and discard the stems and seeds, then coarsely chop. Melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, corn and poblanos and cook 2 more minutes. Add the crema; when it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheese until melted. Season with salt and set aside to cool.
• Tear 4 corn husks into 1/2-inch-thick strips to use as ties; set aside. Assemble the tamales: Hold an open corn husk in one hand; spread about 2 tablespoons dough on the husk, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border on all sides. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling down the center, then fold in the long sides of the husk to cover the filling and fold up the narrow short end (leave the wide end open). Tie a strip of corn husk around the tamale to hold the folded flaps in place. Repeat to make 12 tamales.
• Place the tamales, open-side up, in a steamer basket set in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pot by several inches, but not enough to touch the tamales. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low; cover the pot with a kitchen towel and a lid and steam until firm, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, adding more water to the pot if needed. The tamales should pull away from the husks without sticking; if they're still sticky, continue cooking. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.

RAJAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Roast the chilies over an open flame or on a griddle until blackened but not charred.
• Wrap the chilies in a towel and place them in a plastic bag for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the chilies and with the help of a kitchen towel rub the skins off.
• The chilies should be firm.
• Cut them in 1/2 inch strips discarding all the seeds and the ribs.
• Do not rinse them.
• Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
• Add the chilies and the onions at the same time.
• Stir often.
• When everything is soft add all the sour cream and the chicken bouillon granules.
• When the cream is hot, turn off the burner and add the cheese.
• Cover immediately until cheese melts.

RAJAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Cut peppers and onion into strips about 2 inches long and 1/2-inch thick.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and saute peppers, onion, and corn until tender and starting to char, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Mix in Monterey Jack cheese, cotija cheese, and crema and cook until melted into a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

POLLO A LAS RAJAS

Steps:

• Season the chicken breast halves with garlic, salt, and black pepper.
• Place the chicken breast halves in a roasting pan (uncovered) and cook in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or until cooked.
• In a saucepan heat 2 tablespoons of oil and lightly sauté poblano pepper until skin starts separating; Peel skin from poblano pepper; Make a slit and remove all the seeds.
• Slice onion, bell pepper, and poblano pepper into strips.
• In a heavy skillet heat remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, and add chorizo, garlic, onion, and peppers.
• Cook over medium high heat stirring occasionally until onions and peppers are soft.
• Add sour cream, half-and-half, black pepper and salt and simmer for three minutes.
• On ovenproof serving dishes, place 3/4 cup of vegetable mixture.
• Top with roasted chicken breast.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese on each serving plate.
• Broil until cheese melts and turns golden.
• Serve.

RAJAS CON CREMA

Steps:

• Sauté the chilies with the onions until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Add corn and chicken base and stir.
• Add the cream, let simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
• Serve warm with corn tortillas.
• Can be prepared ahead and reheated in the microwave.

SPICED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH POBLANO AND BELL PEPPER RAJAS

Steps:

• Mix coriander and cumin. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and half of spice mixture.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, poblano, and onion; sauté until almost tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to medium bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add chicken. Cover; cook until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Push chicken to 1 side of skillet; return poblano mixture to skillet. Stir remaining coriander mixture and lime juice into poblano mixture; sauté until heated through, 2 minutes. Mix in cilantro.

RAJAS POBLANAS

Steps:

• 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; discard seeds. Cut crosswise into 1/4" strips.
• Heat a large dry heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until beginning to char, 6-7 minutes. Add garlic; 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; cook until flavors meld, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in crème fraiîhe and cheese. Add water by tablespoonfuls if mixture is too dry. Season to taste with salt.