No meat in this Creamy Roasted Poblano Potatoes dish! I’m just saying this because I know some of you are sometimes looking for a meatless meal. You can enjoy this as a side dish or in tacos (at home we make this into tacos with charred corn tortillas).
Creamy Poblano Potatoes │Rajas con Papas
This Roasted & Creamy Poblano Potato dish is inspired by my time living in the City of Toluca, Estado de Mexico. That was about 30 years ago, and I’ve been making this meal ever since (either with roasted poblano or manzano peppers). I know, 30 years is a long time, but it doesn’t feel like it was that long ago when we lived there and used to go to the edges of the Toluca Volcano for picnics with friends!
My friend Laura used to live across the hall from me in our apartment building and used to make this dish using manzano peppers. They are a little spicy, but the addition of the cream mellows the heat and balances out the flavors. Since these types of peppers cannot be found in every city, I sometimes substitute them with roasted poblano peppers, like in today’s recipe for Potatoes Poblanos Tacos.
During our time in Toluca, we used to go up to the edges of the volcano for picnics, and every family would bring a cazuela (clay pot) with a dish. These would include dishes like potatoes with chorizo, chicharrón in salsa, refried beans, chicken tinga, and, of course, these creamy poblano potatoes dish also known as "rajas con papas recipe" or Poblano potatoes dish.
The men would light the fire and everyone would place their pot on the grill to warm up the food, including the corn tortillas. Everyone shared their dishes. I’m sure people are still having this type of picnics in Mexico today!
Now, let’s go to the recipe!
How to make Creamy Poblano Potatoes
Directions:
- Place the peeled and diced potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Cook at medium heat until they are cooked but still firm. Once done, drain the water and set aside. (Please check the ingredients list below)
- While you are cooking the potatoes, roast the peppers, either in an oven or over an open flame or under a broiler. If using the broiler method, turn the setting to high and place the peppers on an aluminum covered baking sheet, then roast for about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the peppers from the heat, cover with the aluminum foil, and let them steam for 3 more minutes. Remove the skins, then make a slit from the top to the bottom of the pepper and remove the seeds and veins. Cut the peppers into strips.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until transparent.
- Add the drained potatoes and keep cooking for 3 more minutes, then stir in the pepper strips, and pour in the cream. Keep cooking for 2-3 minutes, just to warm up the peppers and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy these yummy Roasted & creamy poblano potatoes with warm corn tortillas!
Buen Provecho!
Mely Martinez.
Check this recipe for Creamy Poblano Enchiladas and Chile Piquin enchiladas Recipe
For recipes in Spanish, visit our site México en mi Cocina.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Poblano Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Potatoes peeled and diced into 1-in. cubes
- 2 Poblano peppers
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ medium size white onion
- ½ cup Mexican cream
- Salt and pepper to season
Instructions
- Place the peeled and diced potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Cook at medium heat until they are cooked but still firm (about 15 minutes). Make sure to check from time to time, in order to not overcook the potatoes. Once done, drain the water and set aside.
- While you are cooking the potatoes, roast the peppers, either in an oven or over an open flame (if you have a gas stove) or under a broiler (if you have an electric stove). If using the broiler method, turn the setting to high and place the peppers on an aluminum covered baking sheet, then roast for about 3-4 minutes, making sure to turn the peppers to have an even roasting.
- Remove the peppers from the heat, cover with the aluminum foil, and let them steam for 3 more minutes. Remove the skins, then make a slit from the top to the bottom of the pepper and remove the seeds and veins. Cut the peppers into strips.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until transparent (or, if you’re like me until they start becoming golden around the edges, this gives them more flavor).
- Add the drained potatoes and keep cooking for 3 more minutes, then stir in the pepper strips, and pour in the cream. Keep cooking for 2-3 minutes, just to warm up the peppers and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy with warm corn tortillas!
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Bill M
Hi Mely, this looks delicious! I must try it. What kind of potatoes do you prefer to use?
Mely Martínez
Hello Bill,
Red or white potatoes. Happy cooking!
Lynda Reid
Mely,
Can Sour Cream or another Lactose free cream be substituted?
Mely Martínez
Hello Lynda,
Yes, you can use sour cream or a lactose free option.
Yuliana Gomez Barrales
Hi Mely,
What is Mexican Crema? Do you have any brand recommendations?
Mely Martínez
Hello Yuliana,
Mexican Crema is commonly sold at Latin stores and most regular USA grocery stores as Mexican Crema. If you don't find it you can use a mixture of half sour cream and heavy cream.
Christine Warren
Can you make this one day ahead? If so how do you store it and how do you reheat it? Thank You!
Mely Martínez
Hello Christine,
Yes, you can make this dish of poblano peppers with potatoes. Store in the fridge and reheat in a skillet.
Maria Mora
I am allergic to potatoes but recently discovered turnips as a satisfactory substitute! Wondering if you have tried these instead of potatoes and if so, should I make any adjustments?
Mely Martínez
Hello Maria,
I haven't tried using turnips for this Creamy Potato recipe. It sounds interesting to use them as a substitution.
Vanessa
What can I substitute for te Mexican crema?
Mely Martínez
Hello, Vanessa,
You can use a combination of sour cream with heavy cream.
Michael
Mmmmm just made this a delicious. First time using this Mexican cream. Love it
Mely Martínez
Hello Michael,
Thank you for trying the poblano -potatoes recipe. It is indeed, delicious!
Maria Santiago
Can this be frozen? I love it
mmartinez
Hello Maria,
Yes, you can but the pepper strips will lose some of its texture. Not too much.
And you are right, this dish of poblano peppers with potatoes is delicious!
Tonya
I'm going to have to try this recipe. So far from the recipes I've tried I have no complaints. Thank you Mely for sharing these wonderful recipes! Your taqueria style salsa is my go to I practically have it memorized 🤗 Keep up the good work as well as giving me new dinner ideas as I usually rack my brain trying to figure something new to make lol.
Gary in Arizona
Dinner?
I added a bit of chicken stock and butter, heated, and added Chorizo. Eh? More cilantro, of course.
Idea's. 🙂
Gary in Arizona
Well, since I saw this at about 7am, I knew exactly what to do. I already had all the ingredients, even the Crema Mexicana! WOOT! I cooked as described with the only change being I cooked the onion until near caramelizing (Golden), then added the potatoes. Cooked until the onions where caramelizing, and the potatoes where starting to as well. Flavor! Finished as described, put some in a bowl and topped with a fried egg, runny yoke, of course! Garnished with chopped Cilantro.
BREAKFAST! YUM! Thank you Mely!
mmartinez
Well, Gary,
You just give an idea for my lunch, adding a fried egg to my potatoes! 🙂