Dinner

[yagathai]

Tonight's dinner is a slightly fancified chilaquiles (Mexican tortilla casserole) and some curried pear and butternut squash soup.

Chilaquiles

2 poblano peppers
4 plum tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
2 medium-small onions
2 limes

1 small roasted chicken (optional)

Queso fresco (mexican fresh cheese)
Corn tortillas or corn tortilla chips

3 jalapenos
4 oz white wine vinegar
2 tbsp sugar

Radish
Cilantro
Sour cream

Cut the corn tortillas into chip-sized pieces. If you're using the small 6-inch kind, use about eight and quarter them. If you're using the larger kind, figure it out. Throw them into a 400 degree oven for around 5-10 minutes, until toasted and chiplike. Alternatively, just buy unsalted corn tortilla chips.

Halve and seed the jalapenos, and slice thin. Add the vinegar to the sugar and heat in a very small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved -- do not boil it. Add the jalapeno to the vinegar, remove from the heat and let it sit.

Halve and seed the poblanos. Halve the tomatoes. Put poblanos and tomatoes cut-side down onto a rimmed baking sheet and put them into the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the skin of the peppers is just charred. Meanwhile, dice the onion and garlic and saute in a little olive oil until tender.

Add the poblano and tomato to the onion and garlic, not forgetting the juices from the baking sheet, add the juice of the limes and mix well. Let them cool slightly, then throw them into a food processor or blender and puree. Add salt, pepper and olive oil to taste. This is your sauce.

Shred the meat off of the chicken.

In a casserole dish, lay down the casserole as follows: a layer of tortilla chips, a layer of chicken, a layer of grated queso fresco and a layer of sauce. Repeat until you run out of ingredients.

Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, then remove and let set for ten minutes. Garnish with some sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced radish and pickled jalapeno. I just made them another layer, but you can be more artsy and creative if you want.

Soup recipe to come later, after I finish making it.

Comments

[mandyly1977.livejournal.com]

You make me want a cook.