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Espagueti verde (Mexican green spaghetti)

This easy pasta dish combines spaghetti with a wonderfully creamy roast poblano pepper sauce. Easy, comforting and flavorful.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 2 approx
Calories: 416 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 2 poblano peppers medium-small, less if large
  • 5 stems cilantro
  • ½ cup Mexican crema (see notes for alternatives)
  • 1 clove garlic small
  • ½ teaspoon bouillon powder stock (½tsp powder is ½ a stock cube)
  • ½ tablespoon butter
To serve
  • 4 oz Spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoon cotija cheese or queso fresco (approx)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Roast the poblano peppers whole using your preferred method - you can char them over a gas flame (either grill or stovetop, taking care holding the peppers with tongs). Alternatively, place them on a baking sheet/tray and roast in the oven at 400F/200C or under the broiler/overhead grill. In all cases, turn the peppers regularly so that the skin blisters and blackens evenly. Cooking time will vary depending on cooking method and size of peppers, so keep a close eye on them.
  2. Once the peppers are well softened and have patches of black all over, remove from the heat. Place them in a plastic bag and fold over the top so that you create a steam packet. (Alternatively, you can place peppers on a plate and cover with cling wrap/cling film but a bag is less wasteful as you can wash and re-use after). Leave the peppers to steam and cool for around 10 minutes.
  3. Remove the peppers from the bag, then peel off the skin - you can use a knife to get it started but your fingers are often easiest to do the peeling. Open up the pepper and remove the core and seeds. Don't worry if the pepper breaks up, strips are fine. At this point, you can store the roasted peppers in the fridge to make the sauce later, if you prefer.
  4. Place the peppers, cilantro, Mexican crema, garlic and stock/bouillon powder in a food processor or blender. Blend everything together until well broken up and mixed.
  5. Cook your pasta until al dente (just tender). When it is almost ready, warm the butter over a medium-low heat in a skillet/frying pan or saute pan large enough to hold the pasta, then add the sauce. Cook, stirring regularly, to warm through and thicken slightly.
  6. When the pasta is ready, add it directly into the sauce and toss to coat the pasta all over. If it is too thick, add a little of the pasta cooking water.
  7. Serve, topped with a sprinkling of cotija or queso fresco cheese (and some additional cilantro to garnish, if you like).

Notes

  • If you can't get Mexican crema, you can use sour cream or creme fraiche as an alternative. You could also use regular cream plus a squeeze of lemon juice. These are often not quite as rich and creamy as crema, so you may want to add a little less then replace up to ¼ of the total amount some cream cheese to get a similar, creamy texture.

Nutrition Information

Calories 416kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 53g (18%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 607mg (25%) Potassium 368mg (11%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1040IU (21%) Vitamin C 97mg (108%) Calcium 210mg (21%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2approx

Amount Per Serving

Calories 416

% Daily Value*

Calories 416kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 53g 18%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 607mg 25%
Potassium 368mg 8%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1040IU 21%
Vitamin C 97mg 108%
Calcium 210mg 21%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.