PLATES - Hatch Chili Peppers ... recipes 1, 2, 3

These are MY three favorite Hatch chili recipes and the first ones I make when Hatch chili's come into season.

The first one is a fairly traditional take on Pico de Gallo. I love cilantro and lime and this gives it a good twist. If you don't like tequila you can use some cider vinegar.

The second adds the peppers to apple cobbler and gives it an interesting taste.

The third thing I make are quesadillas. I grill some onions and hatch peppers and cook some bacon. I use a mixture of cheese - two kinds of white and a little cheddar. I also have some cilantro. Get the freshest tortillas you can find - I prefer flour (I buy them raw - something you can get in Texas - and cook them before making the quesadillas) but corn will also work. Put the onions, peppers, bacon, cheese mixture, and cilantro in a tortilla and fold in half. Put a little butter in a hot pan and toast on each side until the cheese melts and the tortilla toasts.

There will be some more Hatch recipes as the days go along.

Enjoy!


PICO DE GALLO

Ingredients:
6 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 diced red onion
3 Hatch chili peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Zest of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon tequila
1 teaspoon cumin
sea salt and crushed black pepper, to taste

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients in a big old bowl, as this recipe makes a lot. Remove the seeds and juicy parts of the tomato for better consistency. Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours. As with any dish, you may add or delete ingredients to suit your personal taste. If you like avocado, chopped and slice one (or two) for this recipe. You can also add garlic, if desired. You can use any peppers (usually jalapeño) if Hatch peppers are not in season.




HATCH OATMEAL APPLE COBBLER

Ingredients:
3 cup apples, sliced (Granny Smith or Gala)
1/2 cup Hatch chili peppers, chopped
3 tbsp. flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. cider vinegar

Topping:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Combine apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and cider vinegar. Place in a buttered (greased) casserole dish. For the topping - cut together with pastry blender the remaining ingredients and sprinkle on top of the apple mixture. Bake 35 minutes in 375 degree oven. Again, you can adjust this recipe as you'd like. I've used some other spices, and even more nuts, oats and butter.