Corn Poblano Soup With Salsa Verde Food

CORN AND ROASTED POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the milk, cumin seeds, bay leaves and rosemary in a medium saucepan. Place over low heat and bring nearly to a simmer. (Do not boil.) Remove from the heat and let sit 20 minutes to infuse.
• Heat the olive oil or butter in a large saucepan or stockpot over medium heat. Cook the onions with the salt until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the garlic and ground cumin and cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Then stir in the corn kernels and diced chilies and continue cooking over low heat 5 more minutes.
• Using your finest strainer, strain the infused herbal milk into the corn and chili mixture. Bring to a very slow simmer over low heat. Gently simmer 15 minutes.
• Pour one third of the soup into a food processor or blender and puree. Stir back into the soup pot. Serve hot with the chives as garnish.

CREAMY CORN AND POBLANO SOUP

Steps:

• Take the corn off the cobs. You should have about 5 cups kernels. Set aside 1 cup of the kernels.
• Place the corn cobs in a large soup pot and add the water. Make sure they are covered or at least floating in the water; you can break them in half if they are very large. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, partly cover and simmer 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Remove and discard the cobs. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Strain the broth and measure out 5 cups. Freeze any leftover broth.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy soup pot and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and then add the 4 cups of corn kernels and salt to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the corn is just tender. Add the corn broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile roast the chilies, either directly over a gas flame or under a broiler, turning often until they are uniformly charred. Transfer to a plastic bag and seal, or transfer to a bowl and cover tightly. Allow the peppers to cool, then remove the charred skin, rinse and past dry. Remove the seeds and veins (I recommend that you wear plastic gloves for this) and cut in thin strips or dice.
• Steam the kernels set aside for the garnish for 5 minutes, until tender. Set aside.
• Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender, taking care to remove the insert from the top and cover tightly with a kitchen towel to avoid splashes. Return to the heat, taste and adjust salt, and heat through.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Combine the steamed corn kernels and diced chilies and place a spoonful in the middle of each bowl of soup. Garnish with a sprinkling of cilantro or chives if desired, and serve.

CORN POBLANO SOUP WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Place chiles on a foil-lined baking sheet, and broil 10 minutes or until the chiles are blackened, turning occasionally. Place chiles in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel chiles; cut in half lengthwise, discarding the seeds and membranes. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Combine onion mixture, milk, cornstarch, and corn in a blender or food processor, and process mixture until smooth.
• Heat 1 teaspoon butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add corn mixture to pan (mixture will boil vigorously), and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add Chicken Stock, and bring to a boil. Stir in chiles, cream cheese, salt, and pepper; reduce heat, and cook for 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve with Salsa Verde.