Main Challenge Red Chili Citrus Mushrooms With Grilled Zucchini Food

ZUCCHINI CHILI

Steps:

• Char the skins of the poblano chiles by placing them over a gas burner or under a hot broiler with the oven door slightly cracked. Turn the chiles until the skins are black. Remove and cool the chiles in a tightly covered bowl, then peel and finely chop or process into coarse puree in food processor.
• Heat extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat and add zucchini, onions, garlic, hot pepper, cumin, coriander, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper, stir frequently for 10 minutes. Add in the tomato paste, and stir 1 minute more. Deglaze the pan with beer, stir in poblanos and beans and about half of the stock, bring to a bubble then reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes to combine flavors. Cool completely, cover and store for make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat.
• While the chili reheats make the rice. Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium heat and add the rice, toast a minute or 2, then stir in 1 1/2 cups stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook covered, over low heat 15 minutes.
• To food processor, add the spinach, cilantro, if using, and a little salt, and pulse into a fine paste. Stir the paste into the rice after 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and let the rice stand another 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve in shallow bowls with zucchini chili and toppings of choice to garnish.
• Toppers to choose from: crushed tortillas or warm soft tortillas, sour cream, shredded cheeses, scallions or finely chopped onions, lime wedges.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat your grill to med/high (400˚F).
• Place all of your sliced veggies into a large mixing bowl.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together: 1/4 cup olive oil and 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar.
• Drizzle your dressing over sliced veggies and toss/ mix to evenly coat all of your veggies. Sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste and let sit 10 minutes while your grill heats up.
• Place all of your vegetables in a grilling basket and barbecue at 400˚F for about 12 minutes or until veggies are tender and cooked through, tossing every few times to ensure even cooking and caramelizing.
• Add more salt to taste. Remove from heat and serve right away and garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or even basil.

MAIN CHALLENGE: ROASTED TOMATO AND RED CHILI SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat and add the onions. Cut 1 chile pepper in half, lengthwise and remove the seeds and veins. Chop the chile and add to the onions; saute until golden brown. Add the tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Transfer the chile mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.* Return the puree to the pot. Seed and chop the roasted chile and add to the soup along with the lime juice.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Then lay a Quesadilla Crouton in the soup and top with a dollop of Cilantro Sour Cream.
• Lay 2 tortillas on a working surface. Divide the cheese between the tortillas. Sprinkle the cumin among the tortillas. Top each with the remaining 2 tortillas. Place on grill and cook until golden brown on the outside and the cheese starts to melt.
• Cut the quesadillas into 1/2-inch strips. Then cut each strip on an angle to create 2 smaller strips.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.

MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
• Stir olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, rosemary, and oregano together in a bowl.
• Place mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, and onion in a deep grill-safe pan and brush with the oil mixture.
• Place the pan on the preheated grill and cook until tender, turning once, 10 to 15 minutes.

GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS IN RED CHILE PASTE

Steps:

• If cooking outdoors, prepare a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Soak the bamboo skewers in cold water.
• Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Add the chiles, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cover partially, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the chiles have rehydrated and the garlic has softened, about 10 minutes.
• While the chile mixture simmers, coat the bell peppers, zucchini and tomatoes with 1 tablespoon oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rehydrated chiles and softened garlic to a blender or food processor along with 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the achiote paste, liquid aminos, maple syrup, cumin and remaining ¼ cup oil, and blend until completely smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Cut off the mushroom caps and cut the stems into 1/2-inch-thick coins. Halve or quarter the caps to match the diameter of the stems. Add the mushrooms to the chile paste and mix until coated.
• To assemble, load the vegetables onto all the skewers. Start and end each skewer with a piece of bell pepper and alternate among the mushroom slices, bell peppers, zucchini coins and tomatoes in between, going heavy on the mushrooms. Brush any remaining paste over the mushrooms.
• If cooking outdoors, set the skewers on the hot grill grate. If cooking indoors, turn gas burners to medium-high heat or heat a griddle or grill pan on an electric or induction stovetop over medium-high heat. If using a gas range, cook the skewers directly on the grates over the open flame. If using a griddle or pan, set the skewers on the hot surface. Cook until slightly charred and fragrant, turning occasionally with tongs to grill evenly, about 15 minutes. Grill the lemon halves until charred, if you'd like.
• Transfer the skewers to a serving dish and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and pinch of flaky salt. Serve immediately.