Warm Pasta Salad With Roasted Corn And Poblanos Food

WARM PASTA SALAD WITH ROASTED CORN AND POBLANOS

Steps:

• Lay chiles on their sides on a metal rack set over grates of gas burners set on moderately high. (Or broil chiles on rack of a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat.) Roast chiles, turning them with tongs, until skins are blackened, 5 to 8 minutes. 3Transfer chiles to a bowl, then cover and let steam 10 minutes.
• Peel poblanos and discard seeds and ribs, then coarsely chop. Peel jalapeño and chop with seeds (omit seeds if you want a less spicy salad). Transfer chiles to a large serving bowl and stir in tomatoes and herbs.
• Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry well-seasoned 9- to 10-inch cast-iron skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until puffed and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes (seeds will pop as they puff). Transfer seeds to a small bowl.
• Add half of corn to skillet and dry-roast over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until browned in spots, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to tomato mixture and cook remaining corn in same manner, adding it to tomato mixture.
• Add onion to skillet and dry-roast, turning frequently, until browned but still slightly crisp. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Stir into corn mixture.
• Cook garlic and cumin in oil in skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir into corn mixture and season vegetables with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain. Add pasta to corn mixture and toss. Season with salt and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.

GRILLED CORN AND POBLANO POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook until tender when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, prepare a grill to medium-high heat. Add the corn and grill, turning onto all sides, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Halve the potatoes and put them in a large bowl. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the corn kernels off of the cobs and add to the bowl. Add the poblano chiles, scallions, sour cream, mayonnaise and cilantro and mix gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve. (The potato salad can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.)

POBLANO POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot and add salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until tender when pierced with a knife, about 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Add the corn to the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Put the potatoes in a large serving bowl. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cobs and add them to the bowl. Add the poblano chiles, scallions, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cilantro, and fold together. Season the potato salad, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.

MEXICAN FIESTA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil; cook the rotini in the boiling water until the pasta is cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water until completely cooled; drain thoroughly.
• Whisk the salsa, mayonnaise, sour cream, black beans, Mexican-style corn, red bell pepper, green onions, black olives, garlic powder, cumin, cilantro, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl; add the cooled pasta and stir to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight before serving.

ROASTED CORN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine corn, onions, butter and oil and roast in a 400 degree oven until onions are translucent and tender. Remove from oven and cool in refrigerator.
• Cook fusilli as directed and cool under running water.
• Combine cilantro, chipotle and mayo in food processor and puree.
• Mix fusilli, corn/onion mix and puree ingredients. Add salt to taste.
• Chipotle puree is canned chipotle peppers usually found in the Mexican section of most grocery stores. Before using place the contents of the can in a food processor and puree well.

CORN AND FIRE-ROASTED POBLANO SALAD WITH CILANTRO

Steps:

• Roasted Poblanos: Rub the chilies lightly with oil and place them on a stovetop grill or directly over an open flame. Grill over medium-high heat and turn, using metal tongs until the skins are evenly blistered and charred. Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl, and cover with a plate or a lid; they'll steam as they cool. Loosen and peel the skins from the chilies. Bits of charred skin are ok. You can dip your fingers in water, but don't be tempted to dip the chilies in water or peel them under the running faucet-you'll lose their delicious flavor.
• Salad: Bring a small pot of water to a boil and drop in the onions for 20 seconds. Drain and toss with the vinegar.
• Heat the oil in a large sauté pan. Add the corn, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and sauté over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add the water, lower the heat, and cover the pan. Simmer covered, until the corn is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and toss with the chilies, onions, lime juice, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and a pinch of cayenne. Set aside to cool.
• Just before serving, add the cilantro and season to taste with salt and cayenne.
• Tip: To make this salad even easier, you can prepare the separate elements ahead of time and combine them at the last minute. The poblano chilies keep well for several days in the refrigerator or can be frozen and defrosted just before serving.