Ingredients
Chiles
- 4 large poblano green chiles, roasted, peeled, and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups) or canned chopped green chiles (1 to 1 1/2 cups depending on heat)
Soup Base
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter or plant butter
- 2 medium brown/yellow onions, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (10 to 12 ounces)
- 4 ears corn, kernels sliced off the cob (about 4 cups corn)
- 5 cups chicken, vegetable, or corn stock
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing
- 1/2 cup rich cashew milk, unsweetened/unflavored soy milk, or heavy cream
- Optional: 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- Roast the chiles: Over a gas stovetop flame, grill, or broiler, char the poblano chiles until their skins are blackened all over. Let them cool slightly, then peel off the skins with fingers or a damp paper towel. Remove stems and seeds without rinsing. Roughly chop and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed 5-6 quart pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and celery, stir to coat, and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened and beginning to brown.
- Add garlic and potatoes: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add peeled potato chunks and the stock, then season with bay leaves, cumin, dried oregano, and sea salt. Increase heat to bring the pot to a simmer.
- Simmer potatoes: Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add corn and roasted poblanos: Stir in the corn kernels and cook for 4-5 minutes until cooked through. Add the chopped roasted poblano peppers and mix well.
- Finish soup: Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the cashew, soy milk, or cream to add creaminess. Season with black pepper to taste. For a thicker texture, optionally purée up to one-third of the soup using an immersion or regular blender, then mix back in.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top for a fresh, bright finish.
Notes
- You can substitute canned chopped green chiles for fresh poblanos; adjust quantity depending on desired heat.
- Use vegetable or corn stock to keep the soup vegetarian/vegan if not using butter or heavy cream.
- The soup can be thickened by blending a portion of it to create a creamier texture resembling a chowder.
- Roasting the chiles adds smoky depth but can be skipped by using canned chiles; expect a milder flavor then.
- Serve with lime wedges to brighten the rich flavors just before eating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian