OUT WEST: Food & Lifestyle

Mexican

Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup

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Crunchy tortilla chips soak up the flavorful broth in this Out West Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup garnished with cilantro, lime and Queso Oaxaca

An Out West Lifestyle Favorite

Crunchy tortilla chips soak up the flavorful broth in this Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup garnished with cilantro, lime and Queso Oaxaca

There is something about the simplicity of tortilla soup. Crunchy corn tortilla chips laying in a simple broth soaking up all the flavor of green chilies. This Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup adds moderately spiced poblano peppers and sweet corn for a twist on the classic version.

Varieties of tortilla soup flood the web with ingredients from tomatoes to beans, but I prefer a more simple approach to tortilla soup. One that showcases the tortilla and gets its flavor from chilies and spices. A broth based soup that allows the tortilla chips to be the main textural element.

Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup simmers up in just 30 minutes for an easy weeknight meal. With such a simple soup, you want to try and use the best ingredients you can find. Fresh corn cut off the cob, chicken broth made from leftover chicken bones and cilantro picked from the herb garden lend the best flavor. Planning ahead in the Summer months when ingredients are fresh by freezing that local corn or saving the bones from the last chicken dinner to make a homemade broth all add to the best flavor.

You Want The Tortilla Chips to Float

Toppings are the fun part of this soup. Fresh cilantro, Queso Oaxaca or Monterrey Jack cheese add a little something extra and I always love a squeeze of fresh lime juice. An important tip to remember…This soup is all about simplicity. A little goes a long way especially when it comes to the tortilla chips. Start by just adding a few chips – like 4 or 5.

Totally Freezable

Add this soup to your list of freezable soups! Ladle into Ziplocs and lay flat in your freezer for an easy dinner on another night. This broth based soup freezes well. When ready to reheat, just warm in a pot on the stove or in your microwave. Add the chips and garnishes when ready to serve.

Flavorful broth based Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup with cilantro, lime and Queso Oaxaca

Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup

Crunchy tortilla chips soak up the flavorful broth in this Poblano Corn Tortilla Soup garnished with cilantro, lime and Queso Oaxaca
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine Mexican, Soups, Stews, Chowders, Vegetarian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp. lard or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion sliced thin
  • 1 tbsp. garlic minced
  • 1 7 oz. can fire roasted green chilies
  • 3 cups Poblano chili quartered, seeded, cut into thin strips
  • 2 cups fresh corn cut off the cob
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1-2 pinch cumin
  • 1 small corn tortilla crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro rough chopped
  • Thick tortilla chips, cilantro, Queso Oaxaca and lime for serving

Instructions
 

  • Sauté onion and garlic in lard or vegetable oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
  • Add can of fire roasted green chilies with juice.
  • Add sliced poblano peppers and sauté another 3-5 minutes until softened.
  • Add corn, chicken broth, salt, cumin and cilantro. Bring to a simmer.
  • Slowly stir in crumbled corn tortilla and continue to simmer on medium low for at least 30 minutes.
  • Ladle over 4-5 thick style tortilla chips and top with Queso Oaxaca or Monterrey Jack cheese, more cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Keyword Broth Based Soup, vegetarian

Try These Recipes:

  • Carne en su Jugo
  • Out West Cowboy Chili
  • Frijoles Charros

Pan Seared Cod in Tomatillo Broth

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Easy weeknight Pan Seared Cod in Tomatillo Broth gets it’s crunch from a light cornmeal dusting. Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Easy Weeknight Pan Seared Cod in Tomatillo Broth

Pack Big Flavor into Your Weeknight Meals

Don’t be nervous of the ingredient list here! It really does come together in just 30 minutes…it took me 20, so I know you can do it!

I love working with seasonal foods and cod is not only versatile with its mild, buttery flavor…its budget friendly and cooks up quick. Making it the perfect weeknight meal.

Here it is lightly dusted in cornmeal and quickly pan seared for a little crunch and contrast to creamy black eyed peas. The quick zuchinni radish relish is tossed in lime juice for a little bite of freshness.

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Pan Seared Cod in Tomatillo Broth

Pan seared cod is lightly dusted in cornmeal and served in a roasted tomatillo broth with black eyed peas and lime zested zucchini and radish.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Fusion, Mexican, Seafood
Keyword 30 Minute Dinner, Pan Seared Cod, Weeknight Meal
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

Pan Seared Cod

  • 1 lb cod fillet cut in 4 pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 lime for serving

Tomatillo Broth

  • 5 tomatillos husks removed
  • 1/2 – 1 serrano pepper
  • 1/2 yellow onion
  • 1 tsp lard, bacon fat or vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp fresh garlic minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream

Zucchini & Radish

  • 1 small zucchini diced
  • 5 radish diced
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Black Eyed Peas

  • 1 15 oz can of black eyed peas drained
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Zucchini & Radish

  • Combine zucchini, radish, lime juices, salt, pepper and vegetable oil in a bowl and set aside.

Tomatillo Broth

  • Place tomatillo, serrano pepper and onion n a sheet pan and broil until charred.
  • Remove from baking sheet to blender and blend until smooth.
  • Heat lard, bacon grease or vegetable in a small saute pan over medium high heat. Add garlic for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Add blended tomatillo mixture, chicken broth, sugar and heavy cream. Reduce to low and simmer until ready to serve.

Black Eyed Peas

  • Cook bacon in a small saute pan until fat is rendered. Remove bacon.
  • Add onion and saute until softened.
  • Add black eyed peas, broth and salt and pepper to taste. Return bacon to pan.
  • Reduce heat to low until ready to serve.

Pan Seared Cod

  • Combine cornmeal, flour and garlic powder in a large dish.
  • Press each side of cod fillet in cornmeal mixture.
  • Heat a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet or medium saute pan over medium high heat.
  • Cook each side of cod fillet for about 2 minutes or until just firm to the touch and opaque. It will just start to flake when pressing finger into cod.
  • Remove and season with salt and pepper.
    Plate: Ladle of tomatillo broth, spoonful of black eyed peas, place seared cod on top of black eyed peas, garnish with zucchini and radish. Serve with lime.

Make It Even Easier

Need a little quicker version of this fresh recipe? There are simple ways to make this weeknight meal even easier:

  • Skip the homemade Tomatillo Broth and use store bought. If you can’t find it, use green enchilada sauce mixed with a tbsp of heavy cream.
  • Serve over your favorite rice instead of Tomatillo Broth.
  • Roll it all up in a tortilla for a fresh take on fish tacos.

Similar Recipes:

  • Lightly coated snapper in a spicy tomato broth
  • Buttery cod in a light broth with spinach and mushrooms

Mexican Guajillo Beef Bowls

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Low and slow Mexican Guajillo Beef Bowls packed with lime dressed cabbage, cotija cheese, cumin pinto beans and Mexican rice

Mexican Guajillo Beef Bowls with all the fresh toppings

Slow cooked in Mexican peppers and cinnamon, these Mexican Guajillo Beef Bowls are perfect for piling high with Cumin Pinto Beans, Mexican Rice and fresh toppings like your favorite pico de gallo & cotija cheese.

Cumin pinto beans and Mexican rice accompany this shredded beef cooked in Guajillo and Pasilla peppers

Spice Up Your Pinto Beans

The addition of a teaspoon of roasted cumin transforms ordinary pinto beans into Ahh – Mazing pinto beans. Whether you have canned pinto beans or soaked overnight pinto beans, they need a little extra flavor before they reach the plate. If I have extra time, I saute a few slivers of sweet yellow onion, maybe a strip of bacon and definitely a teaspoon of smoked cumin.

  • 2 cans pinto beans
  • 1 tsp. smoked cumin
  • 1/4 sweet yellow onion, sauteed

The Easiest Mexican Rice

My favorite go-to rice is Basmati rice. I like how light and fluffy the grains of rice are and it works really well in my Mexican rice. A few additions to the package directions turn white rice into a lightly seasoned Mexican rice. Start by following package directions for the smallest serving using 1 cup dried rice , then add one Knorr chicken tomato bouillon cube and a tablespoon of jarred Mezzetta California Hot Mix. Cook for indicated time on package directions.

You can find Mezzetta California Hot Mix in the condiment aisle of your grocery, usually by the pickled jalapenos, olives and pickles. It is a hot pickled mix of jalapeno peppers, celery, carrot. And the Knorr chicken tomato bouillon can be found usually in the Mexican aisle of your grocery.

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 Knorr chicken tomato bouillon cube
  • 1 tbsp Mezetta California Hot Mix
  • 1 cup Basmati white rice
Tender beef in Guajillo chili sauce with cumin pinto beans and Mexican rice
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Mexican Guajillo Beef Bowls

Low and slow Mexican Guajillo Beef Bowls packed with lime dressed cabbage, cotija cheese, cumin pinto beans and Mexican rice.
Course Dinner, Salad
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword Mexican Bowl, Shredded Mexican Beef
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Servings 6

Ingredients

Guajillo Beef

  • 3 Guajillo chili dried
  • 3 Pasilla chili dried
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3-4 cloves garlic large
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 lb beef stew meat cubed
  • 2 tbsp Tajin Mexican seasoning
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp corn starch
  • 2 tbsp lard or bacon fat
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3-4 cups water

Cumin Pinto Beans

  • 1/4 sweet yellow onion slivered
  • 1 tsp lard or bacon fat
  • 2 cans pinto beans
  • 1 tsp cumin

Mexican Rice

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cube Knorr chicken tomato bouillon
  • 1 cup Basmati white rice
  • 1 tbsp Mezzetta California Hot Mix

Instructions

Guajillo Beef

  • Heat chicken broth until simmering.
  • Toast dried Guajillo pepper, Pasilla pepper and cinnamon stick in dry pan over medium high heat for a minute or so to release flavor. Add to blender with garlic and pour hot chicken broth over the top. Let cool just enough to blend easily to a liquid.
  • Mix together Tajin seasoning, cumin and corn starch. Season beef stew meat with mixture.
  • Heat lard or bacon fat in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Working in batches, sear beef stew meat until browned and crispy on the edges. Remove to a bowl while you sear all remaining pieces. When done, place seared meat and juices back in the dutch oven.
  • Add content of blender mixture to beef stew meat. Add bay leaves. Add enough water to just cover meat. reduce heat to low. Cover partially and cook for about 4 hours. Liquid should reduce and meat should be tender.
  • Serve with Cumin Pinto Beans and Mexican Rice. Top with fresh pico de gallo, shredded cabbage, lime and cotija cheese.

Cumin Pinto Beans

  • Saute onion in a teaspoon of lard or bacon fat.
  • Empty two cans pinto beans into pan with sauteed onion. Add cumin and heat until warm.

Mexican Rice

  • Heat water and chicken tomato bouillon to a simmer over high heat.
  • Add rice and Mezzetta California Hot Mix.
  • Cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Cook until water is absorbed 15 – 20 minutes

Similar Recipes:

Mexican Corn Salmon

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Inspired by Mexican street corn, this grilled Mexican Corn Salmon is slathered in a fresh corn tossed with mayonnaise, lime juice, spices and  Cotija cheese.

Packed with flavor, Mexican Corn Salmon brings the southwest to the northwest. I take the freshest salmon fillet and slather it with mayonnaise and spicy Tajin Mexican Seasoning, grill to perfection and finish off with a mixture of fresh corn off the cob, lime juice, more Tajin Mexican Seasoning, and confetti cilantro. Top with crumbled Cotija cheese and it’s READY to eat!

You’re going to love the bright, fresh flavors..and that mayonnaise you may be raising your brow to. It keeps everything moist and delicious without even knowing it’s there. Not a cilantro fan? Try Confetti Cilantro.

Confetti Cilantro vs. Cilantro

I recently came across Confetti Cilantro and fell in love with the delicate feathery leaves and mild flavor. If you have a family member that won’t eat cilantro, try this variety and they may just love it.

Cilantro is a member of the parsley family and is also known as coriander or Chinese parsley. I tend to use cilantro in most of my dishes and love the fresh flavor it adds. Cilantro can be used in it’s entirety, both the leaves and stems are edible. Add it to salsas, salads, stir fry or as a garnish.

Grilled salmon with fresh corn, cilantro and cotija cheese
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Mexican Corn Salmon

Grilled salmon
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican, Seafood
Keyword Grilled salmon, Mexican street corn
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

Grilled Salmon

  • 1 lb salmon fillet skin on, bones removed
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tbsp Tajin Mexican Seasoning with Lime

Mexican Corn Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups corn cut off cob about 2 ears of corn
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp Tajin Mexican Seasoning with Lime
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 1/4 cup Cotija cheese crumbled

Instructions

Grilled Salmon

  • Prepare grill. If using a charcoal grill, place charcoals towards one side of grill and make an indirect area on opposite side.
  • Coat flesh side of salmon fillet with mayonnaise, then season with Tajin Mexican Seasoning.
  • Place salmon fillet skin side down on grill over indirect heat. Close grill cover and cook between 5-10 minutes. Salmon fillets vary in thickness and will require different cooking times. Check your salmon after a few minutes. When salmon turns just barely opaque, it is done. Remove to a serving platter and top with Mexican Corn (see below).

Mexican Corn Topping

  • Heat corn kernels over medium heat for a few minutes until just warm.
  • Combine corn with mayonnaise, cilantro, Tajin Mexican Seasoning and lime juice.
  • Place corn mixture evenly over salmon fillet and crumble Cotija cheese over the top.

Similar Recipes:

  • A variety of citrus, stone ground mustard, brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne create a sweet and spicy glaze for sockeye salmon
    A variety of citrus add to the flavor and presentation
  • Easy Weeknight Pan Seared Cod in Tomatillo Broth
  • Seared scallops with Guajillo Mango Sauce
    Seared sea scallops placed on a bed on Banza tropical rice with mango, coconut and lime in a guajillo mango sauce

Shrimp Adobo Tacos

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Warm, earthy adobo sauce tossed with shrimp and served in a blistered corn tortilla with cilantro, onion and cotija cheese

Warm, earthy adobo sauce tossed with shrimp served in blistered corn tortilla

Amazing things can become of those bags of dried peppers. You’ve passed by them in the Mexican section at the grocery, they may have seemed intimidating with so many different kinds. They are screaming out for you to make Shrimp Adobo Tacos.

While this recipe may seem to have a laundry list of ingredients, it really comes together quickly once you have the ingredients ready. The adobo sauce is the bulk of the time in this recipe, but the depth of flavors it adds to the shrimp is TOTALLY worth it.

Make a Double Batch

To get the most ‘bang for your buck’ make a double batch and refrigerate or freeze for later use. It is a great sauce for chicken!

Make it a Meal

I like to serve Shrimp Adobo Tacos with a very simple cumin spiced pinto beans side dish. Just take a can of pinto beans, add a dish of cumin and some sauteed onions. Maybe a little salt and pepper and DONE.

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Shrimp Adobo Tacos

Argentinian Pink Shrimp coated in an adobo sauce of Mexican peppers and spices
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword 20 Minute Meal, Cinco de Mayo, Spicy Shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

Adobo Sauce

  • 4 Ancho chilies, dried
  • 4 Guajillo chilies, dried
  • 4 New Mexico chilies, dried
  • 1 yellow onion quartered
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp ginger
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground clove
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 4 tsp sugar

Shrimp

  • 1 tbsp lard, bacon fat or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion halved, then sliced
  • 24 Argentinian Pink Shrimp shell removed and cleaned
  • 1 cup Adobo sauce

Other

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 8 corn tortillas, medium to small size
  • 1/4 bunch cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 cup Cotija cheese
  • 1/4 yellow onion finely minced
  • 1 lime sliced

Instructions

Adobo Sauce

  • Heat a cast iron pan over medium, add dried chilies and toast for about 5 minutes to release flavor.
  • Add first, onion then garlic, ginger and chicken broth.
  • Add remaining ingredients ad simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and blend. If hot, make sure to vent blender.
  • Take 2 cups of blended adobo sauce and add to hot cast iron pan. Cook for 5 minutes
  • Remove from heat.

Shrimp

  • Heat a large pan over medium high. Add lard, bacon grease or vegetable oil. Add onion and saute for 1 minute. Add shrimp and saute for 3 minutes. Add 1 cup adobo sauce, reduce heat to low and cook 1-2 minutes until shrimp are cooked through.

Assembly

  • Dip each tortilla in remaining adobo sauce then quickly heat in a small pan in vegetable oil over medium high heat.
  • Place shrimp in adobo sauce in tortilla, top with cilantro, cotija, finely diced onion and a squeeze of lime. Serve with cumin spiced pinto beans.

Try These Similar Recipes:

  • Ahhh, the sexy Poblano Burger. The perfect addition to your Memorial Day BBQ. Inspired by flavors of the Southwest, this burger is topped in a luscious green chile queso layered with thick cut smokey bacon, fire roasted poblano peppers and pickled red onions.
  • Crispy flour tortilla with cumin beans, fresh vegetables
    Crispy flour tortilla stuffed with cumin spiced black beans, fresh lettuce, radish, avocado and topped with lime crema and pico de gallo
  • Inspired by my favorite Mexican candy, this buttery yellow cake is topped with sweet mango glaze and spicy chili-lime
    Inspired by my favorite Mexican candy, this buttery yellow cake is topped with sweet mango glaze and spicy chili-lime