Ingredients
Vegetables and Peppers
- 6 fresh poblano chiles
- 1 medium white onion (cut lengthwise into 1/4" slices)
- 8 oz corn kernels
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Dairy and Fats
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream or crème fraîche)
- 1 cup Oaxaca cheese (grated)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Roasting Poblano Chiles: Roast and char the poblano chiles either over an open gas flame (stovetop), under a broiler, or on a BBQ grill. Turn them occasionally until the skins are blistered and blackened, about 10 minutes.
- Steaming and Peeling: Transfer the roasted poblanos to a bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or seal in a brown paper bag to steam for 5-10 minutes. Once steamed, peel off the charred skins and slice the peeled chiles into 1-inch strips.
- Sautéing Onion and Garlic: Melt the butter in a saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cooking Peppers and Corn: Add the sliced poblano peppers, corn kernels, kosher salt, black pepper, and ground cumin to the pan. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often to combine flavors.
- Adding Creams: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cream cheese and Mexican crema to the pan, mixing thoroughly. Cook for about 5 minutes until the cream mixture starts to bubble and warm through.
- Melting Cheese: Stir in the grated Oaxaca cheese, cover the pot, and turn off the heat. Let the covered dish sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Serving: Serve the rajas con crema immediately, paired with warm tortillas, tortilla chips, or as a flavorful side dish to your favorite Mexican entrée.
Notes
- Note 1: Oaxaca cheese is a semi-soft string cheese similar to mozzarella, but you can substitute it with mozzarella if unavailable.
- Note 2: This dish is traditionally served warm and pairs wonderfully with tacos, grilled meats, or simply enjoyed with tortillas or tortilla chips.
- To make peeling easier, steaming the roasted peppers is essential to loosen charred skin.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian