Mushroom Rajas And Corn Taco With Queso Fresco Recipes

MUSHROOM, RAJAS, AND CORN TACO WITH QUESO FRESCO

Steps:

• 1. Roast the chiles as for rajas (see note) and cut them into 1/2-inch dice.
• 2. Heat a heavy pan (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until very hot.
• 3. In a bowl, toss the corn with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and a sprinkling of salt. Spread the corn in the hot pan and let it blacken slightly, without stirring, for 30 seconds. Have a lid ready in case the kernels begin to pop. Remove the roasted corn from the pan.
• 4. In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Add the onion and diced chiles and cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and beginning to brown. Season lightly with salt and remove from the pan.
• 5. Reduce the heat and add the remaining olive oil. Add the garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the corn and chiles to the pan and stir to reheat.
• 6. Turn off the heat and stir in the epazote, if using, black pepper, and queso fresco.
• 7. To assemble the tacos, spoon some vegetables onto a tortilla. Top with a generous tablespoon of salsa and sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of cotixa cheese over all. Top with a cilantro sprig.

RAJAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Cut peppers and onion into strips about 2 inches long and 1/2-inch thick.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and saute peppers, onion, and corn until tender and starting to char, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Mix in Monterey Jack cheese, cotija cheese, and crema and cook until melted into a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

GRILLED PORTOBELLO AND RAJAS SALSA TACO WITH QUESO FRESCO

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium high.
• For the Bobby's rub for beef and pork: Combine the ancho chile, coriander, mustard, paprika, black pepper, salt, chile de arbol, cumin and oregano in a bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons for the mushrooms. (Store the remaining spice rub, tightly covered, in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.)
• For the portobello mushrooms and rajas: Brush the mushrooms generously with canola oil and season the gill sides with the reserved 2 tablespoons spice rub. Brush the Anaheim chile and bell peppers with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the mushrooms spice-side down on the grill. Put the peppers on the grill and cover the grill. Grill the mushrooms, turning once, until a knife inserted in the thickest part meets no resistance, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Grill the Anaheim chile and bell peppers, turning, until charred on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes (the Anaheim will take a few minutes less than the bell peppers). Transfer the peppers and chile to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rest 10 minutes.
• For the tortillas and toppings: While the peppers rest, warm the tortillas on the grill a few seconds on each side; keep warm.
• Remove the skins and seeds from the bell peppers and chile. Thinly slice the peppers, chile and mushrooms and combine in a bowl. Add the cilantro, olive oil, scallions, Fresno chiles, lime juice and salt and pepper.
• Fill the tortillas with the vegetable mixture and top with queso fresco and a squeeze of lime.

SALSA QUEMADA (ROASTED TOMATO SALSA)

Steps:

• 1. Make sure your kitchen is well ventilated. Put a piece of aluminum foil in a heavy sauté pan (preferably cast iron) and set it over medium-high heat. Place the whole tomatoes, chile, and garlic cloves in the pan and dry-roast them on all sides until well charred and soft. The garlic and chiles will be done quickly; the tomatoes may take 10 minutes or longer to cook.
• 2. Peel the garlic and stem the chile. Place the tomatoes, garlic, and chile in a food processor with the onion, salt, and cilantro. Pulse until the salsa is smooth and taste for seasoning. The salsa will keep, refrigerated, for several days. Reseason before use.