SPAGHETTI NAVIDEÑO

 

I can not believe Christmas is here!  O M G.  This is the first year I'll be hosting in my home, so I am extra excited.  As you can imagine, I've been scrambling trying to come up with an incredible Christmas menu for my family.  My mom's green spaghetti has become a staple at all of our family gatherings, and I thought it would be perfect to make for my family, and share with all of you.  It's super easy to make (takes about 30 minutes) and sure to be the hit at any Christmas Pot Luck.  My mom told me not to use more than two poblano peppers, but I went ahead and used three (because I love spicy food so much) and it came out perfect.  My sister and I finished half a pound of this pasta..ok, ok, ALMOST finished.  I also sprinkled it with a bit of parmigiano cheese and a queso istmeño my dad brought from Oaxaca,  but feel free to use cotija cheese as well, it pairs super nicely.  

Also, one side note.. I did have a hard time finding Poblano peppers at my local grocer, but Northgate Gonzales market came through and saved the day! 

I hope all of you enjoy not just the spaghetti but this incredible time of year with your loved ones.  Be safe, eat a lot and enjoy the blessings of this holiday season!

-B

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 Poblano peppers, roasted and peeled

1/4 white onion

2 garlic cloves

5 parsley springs

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup Mexican cream

1 tablespoon salted butter

500gr Bucatini Pasta

2 bay leaves

kosher salt and ground pepper 

PREPARATION:

 To prepare the peppers- place peppers directly onto the flame, turning constantly until charred on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. 

Put peppers in a medium bowl and cover for a few minutes to steam, this will make peeling the skin off easy. Uncover until cool to handle, remove most of the skin.  Reserve

In a blender, puree the peppers, onion, garlic, parsley, milk and cream and blend until finely pureed.  About a minutes.

In a medium pan, heat the butter until bubbly, but not browned.  Add the pureed sauce to the pan and allow to simmer.  About 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, cook your pasta.  Make sure your water is boiling hot and extra salty before adding your pasta (pasta water should be salty as the sea) add two bay leaves and allow your pasta to cook for one minute less than it calls for on the package.

Drain the pasta and add to the pot with the poblano sauce.  Discard the bay leaves.  Stir or toss the pasta to coat with the sauce.  Turn off the heat and give a big sprinkle of cheese and a drizzle of high quality olive oil.  Toss or stir vigorously.  Top with grated cotija or Parmigiano. 

 
 
Posted on December 24, 2014 .

POLLO ENCHIPOTLADO

 

Finally, after 5 months of silence, I am back!  I am so, so sorry I've taken so long to share with you another recipe, but my life has taken a complete 360 these past few months... My fiancee and I finally got married! (I guess I should be referring to him as my husband from now on, right?) We also just bought a beautiful home in Montecito Heights AND wait for it... We're having a baby!  Yes, so to say its been a bit hectic around here, is a bit of an understatement.  But things are finally cooling off, and I finally have some free time to sit and share with you all some of my favorite winter recipes.  Thank you so much to all of you who've checked in on me these past months, it makes me so happy to know that you guys appreciate what I do.  Can't wait to get back to it! 

Ever since my husband (omg, can't believe it, husband!) and I we moved into our new home, I've made it my mission to cook at home (must be what they call 'nesting').  I haven't gotten any weird cravings as of yet, but I am getting very sentimental reminiscing about my childhood in Oaxaca, and wanting to recreate the dishes my mom used to make us as kids.  I think my baby wants to begin tasting the flavors I did when I was in my moms belly. 

Pollo Enchipotlado has been a long time favorite guisado of mine, and this recipe that I am sharing is my moms.  All her kids (4 in total) are addicted to this sauce.  You are going to want extra tortillas to scoop up every drip of this sauce.  I made it for my husband last week, and he's been begging for me to make it again.  It's super easy to make, and it stores great.  I actually think it tastes better the next day for lunch.  So I hope all of you enjoy and really give this one a try.  It is an actual  a finger-licking recipe.  

Provecho! 


INGREDIENTS

1 whole chicken, 3 to 4 pounds, cut into 8 pieces, or any combination of parts

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

7 medium sized tomatoes, cut in fours

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon of butter

4 garlic cloves, grilled

1/2 medium onion, grilled

3 chipotles in adobo, plus two tablespoon of adobo sauce (add an extra tablespoon of sauce for a spicier meal)

3 Bay Leaves

1/2 cup Mexican crema for servin 

PREPARATION

Season chicken generously with salt, pepper and dijon mustard and allow to marinade for about 10 minutes.

Cook the tomatoes in a pot with water over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. 

Put the olive oil and butter in a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.  When hot, brown each side of the seasoned chicken, about 4-5 minutes per side.  Lower heat.

In a blender, mix the grilled garlic, onion, cooked tomatoes, and chipotle.  Blend until finely pureed. 

Pour the mix into the saucepan over the chicken, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, about 1/2 teaspoon.  Add the bay leaves; raise the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. 

Serve the pollo enchipotlado on a semi deep bowl and accompany with white rice, tortillas and Mexican crema. 

 

 
Posted on December 17, 2014 .

SCALLOP AGUACHILE

 

A couple of weeks ago my homie Ceviche Project showed up at one of my world cup game viewing parties with a kick ass gift for me - Xertoli Olive Oil, from Spain.  As soon as I opened the bottle I couldn't believe the smell.  It was heavenly.  I knew from that moment that my next test kitchen stint had to include an olive oil element, so with that and the inspiration of Ceviche Project, my girl Paola and I got busy in the kitchen and begun working the magic.  The recipe calls for only a couple of serranos, but for those of you (myself included) who have a love for spiciness go ahead, don't be scared and add a couple more ;) 


INGREDIENTS

1 lb Scallops, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick

3/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 small red onion, sliced thinly

Two serranos, stemmed and roughly chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 

1 tablespoon fresh mint

1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt to taste

1 cucumber, peeled and seeded, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces

1 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Tostadas for serving

2 avocados, halved, pitted, and sliced, for serving

PREPARATION

In a large non-reactive bowl (glass or ceramic), combine the onions with the lime juice. Reserve while you make the aguachile. 

In a blender, combine the serranos, cilantro, parsley and mint, olive oil and puree until smooth. Season the aguachile with salt.

Combine scallops and cucumbers with the onions and pour the aguachile until well coated. Stir well, then season with salt and sugar to balance the acidity and flavors, cover and sit out at room temperature to allow flavors to meld together, about 30 minutes.

Serve the aguachile on a platter along with tostadas and avocado slices. 

 
Posted on July 10, 2014 .