Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound poblano peppers (about 8-10 poblano peppers)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped (white or yellow)
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup chopped spinach (loosely packed)
- 1 tablespoon ancho powder
- 1 teaspoon guajillo powder
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup Mexican crema (or sour cream)
For Serving
- Spicy chili oil
- Chili flakes
- Pepper slices
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Broil Poblanos: Set your oven to broil. Slice the poblano peppers in half lengthwise and place them skin side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
- Roast Poblanos: Broil the poblano halves for about 15 minutes until the skins char, blacken, and puff up, developing a smoky flavor.
- Peel Poblanos: Remove the peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly. Peel off and discard the skins, seeds, and stems.
- Chop Poblanos: Roughly chop the roasted poblanos and set them aside for later use.
- Heat Olive Oil: While the poblanos roast, heat a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil to warm up.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Stir in the chopped roasted poblanos, garlic, spinach, ancho powder, guajillo powder, Mexican oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken stock and milk. Bring the mixture to a quick boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Crema: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the Mexican crema or sour cream until fully blended and creamy.
- Blend the Soup: Use an immersion (stick) blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup in batches to a blender or food processor and blend until thin and creamy.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with spicy chili oil, chili flakes, pepper slices, and fresh chopped parsley for an added burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- For a vegan or dairy-free version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock and use coconut cream instead of Mexican crema.
- Adjust the amount of chili powders based on your spice preference.
- Roasting the poblanos under the broiler imparts a smoky depth essential to the soup’s flavor.
- Use fresh herbs and chili oil for the best finishing touch.
- This soup pairs well with warm tortillas or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mexican