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Chile Strips with Cheese: Rajas con Queso by Karen Hursh Graber © 2006

This dish uses the famous quesillo - Oaxaca cheese that melts easily. However, for this recipe, it should be grated rather than pulled apart into strings. It is delicious served alone with flour tortillas, or as a late supper or light lunch with a salad.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large white onion, cut into thin crescents
  • 8-10 chilaca chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and cut into strips (see NOTE)
  • 3 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup Mexican crema or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 3/4 lb. Oaxaca cheese, grated
  • salt to taste

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan, add the onion and cook until transparent.

Add the chile strips tomatoes and tomatoes and cook for two more minutes.

Add the crema and evaporated milk, bring to a slow boil and simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted.

Serve immediately, in clay cazuelas if possible, with warm flour tortillas.

Serves 6

NOTE: Chilacas are the fresh version of dried pasilla chiles. Poblanos may be substituted.


Link to Source Article

Published or Updated on: January 1, 2006 by Karen Hursh Graber © 2008
Contact Karen Hursh Graber

Follow Karen as she travels through the Central Mexican state of Puebla, meeting local cooks, tasting the food, and collecting recipes. With over 75 recipes, plus sections on ingredients and cooking techniques, the book takes the reader on a journey through one of Mexico's oldest and most renowned culinary regions. It can be ordered online.

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