Eggplant Tacos With Roasted Poblanos & Caramelized Onions

Recipe & Pic from Cowgirl Chef

Who says summer is over?? We can keep pretending a little bit longer with this recipe that makes the most of the wee bit of hot-season crops in your box this week! Try adding in some cumin-spiced roasted potatoes and/or some lightly scrambled eggs for a more filling result.

2 large onions, cut into half-moons

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus a bit more for spinach

salt and pepper to taste

1 eggplant, chopped into 1-inch cubes

1 poblano pepper

Salsa Verde, for serving

lime wedges, for serving

cilantro, for serving

6 to 8 corn tortillas

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Toss the eggplant cubes on a large baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Salt and pepper the eggplant. Bake until browned, for about 40 minutes, turning over once.

While the eggplant’s cooking, caramelize your onions. Put the onions along with 2 tablespoons (you’ll add 2 more as these cook down) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low to low heat. Cook slowly, for about 45 minutes, allowing the onions to gradually brown. Add oil and salt and pepper as you go. (Save time: Make this in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to make tacos.)

Roast the poblano pepper. If you have a gas stovetop, simply put the poblano on the grill, and let the flame burn the skin, turning with tongs so you roast all sides. If you don’t have a gas stovetop, this will also work under the broiler. After all sides are equally charred, put the pepper in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to cool. Then, simply scrape off the charred bits, slice the pepper open, and remove the seeds. Once cool, slice into thin strips.

Toast as many tortillas as you need over the open flame and serve. Layer: eggplant, a few strips of poblano, and some caramelized onions . Top with Salsa Verde and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Breakfast Tacos With Roasted Poblano & Corn Salsa

Recipe & Pic from Alexandra’s Kitchen

I LOVE breakfast tacos and this recipe is a great way to enjoy a lot of those late summer veggies!

~Rae

2 to 3 poblano peppers, halved, cored, and chopped

2 red onions, peeled and chopped

1 ear of corn, shucked, kernels stripped from cob

1 tablespoon olive oil

kosher salt to taste

1 lime, halved

1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped, or more to taste

hot sauce or red pepper flakes, optional

1 avocado, diced, optional

FOR THE EGG TACOS (FOR 2 SMALL TACOS):

2 small tortillas

dab of butter

2 eggs, well beaten

queso fresco, crumbled, or other cheese, optional

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. (Use convection roast is you wish.)

Place diced poblanos, red onions, and corn in a large bowl. Drizzle in the tablespoon of olive oil. Season generously with kosher salt. Toss to combine then spread on a large sheet pan, lined with parchment for easy cleaning. (Reserve the bowl.) Roast until vegetables are beginning to char, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the vegetables cool briefly, then transfer to the reserved bowl.

Squeeze a little lime over the vegetables. Add in the cilantro, and toss. Taste. Adjust with more lime, salt, and cilantro to taste. Add the avocado, if using. If you want some heat, add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of pepper flakes. Mix and taste again: I often adjust with a splash more olive oil, lime, salt, and sometimes a splash of vinegar, too. Set salsa aside.

Warm tortillas as you wish and set on a plate.

Heat an 8-inch nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the dab of butter and immediately pour the eggs into it as it melts. Season with a pinch of salt. Let eggs set for 15 seconds or so, then turn heat to low, and, using a spatula, stir the eggs constantly till they’re done — they will likely be cooked in less than a minute. I often remove the pan from the heat, while continuing to stir with my spatula till they looked cooked to my liking.

Immediately divide the scrambled eggs among the two tortillas. Spoon salsa over top. Top with cheese if desired.

Recipe: Slowcooker Chile Verde

From The Kitchn

2 pounds tomatillos, thin, papery skin removed, halved
1 large yellow onion, diced
8 cloves garlic, peeled
2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise, seeded, and ribs removed
2 fresh poblano chiles
3 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Place the tomatillos, onion, and garlic on a baking sheet. Roast until softened and golden-brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a blender or a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and set aside.

Turn the broiler to high. Place the jalapeños and poblanos on the same baking sheet. Broil until charred and blistered all over, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the peppers to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Let sit to 'steam' for 10 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, remove the seeds, stem, and skin from the poblanos, and remove the skin from the jalapeños. Add both to the blender or food processor.

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the pork with the salt, and brown in 2 to 3 batches until golden-brown all over, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

Pulse the contents of the blender or food processor until coarsely chopped. Add the cilantro and oregano and pulse until mostly smooth. Pour the salsa verde sauce evenly over the pork. Cover and cook until the pork is tender, 7 to 8 hours on the LOW setting, or 4 to 5 hours on the HIGH setting.

Serve the finished pork chile verde over rice or in charred corn tortillas.