Pasilla Chile Recipe & Nutrition | ‘s Encyclopedia of Food

A low carb food with a fiery, zesty flavor, the Pasilla Chile is an excellent way to get fiery heat into your diet. The chile pepper is also loaded with various nutrients from a diet of fruit, vegetables, and grains. ( ) The chile pepper is known for its potency and the number of health benefits it offers. ( )

This pepper has been used throughout history for its flavor, medicinal qualities, and its ability to preserve foods. In Mexico, where it is known as the pasilla, it is used to flavor a long list of dishes and beverages.

The poblano or pasilla chile is similar to the chile poblano in that it is a dried chile pod. However, the chile poblano is a fresh chile, picked while it is green, while the pasilla is a dried chile pod. That is why it is called the pasilla chile. Unfortunately, the pasilla chile, while very tasty, is not grown commercially in the United States. Instead, the flavor of the chile is grown in other countries, but it is only available dried.

A Quick Look

The pasilla chile is called after the Spanish term for “little raisin” because it is dark, tiny, and wrinkled. It does, in fact, have a raisin-like taste. The dried form of the chilaca chile pepper, a Mexican pepper species, is known as pasilla chile. It has wrinkled brownish-black skin and a long, thin, tapering form when dried. Pasilla chile is often mistaken with another well-known Mexican pepper, the ancho pepper, and is occasionally mislabeled as such. Fortunately, their tastes are similar and they may be used nearly interchangeably. On the Scoville scale, a rating system for peppers, Pasillas score quite low. Most infants and grandparents can take a pinch of pasilla at 1,000-3,999 Scoville heat units.

Overview

The pasilla chile is called after the Spanish term for “little raisin” because it is dark, tiny, and wrinkled.

The dried form of the chilaca chile pepper, which is a type of Capsicum annuum, along with spices like cayenne and paprika.

Pasilla chiles are a type of chile that originated in Mexico and are frequently used in traditional Mexican dishes. They’re part of the holy trinity of chiles in mole, which also includes ancho and chipotle chiles.

Chilaca chiles have a long, somewhat twisted shape when young, and when completely mature, they vary in color from dark green to brown. They shrink, stiffen, darken in color, and increase in taste as they dry.

Pasilla chiles are often mistaken with ancho peppers, and are sometimes mislabeled as such.

A simple method to tell the difference is to:

Ancho peppers are broad and flat, with a reddish-black hue. They are dried variants of poblano peppers. Pasilla peppers have a brownish-black hue and are long and thin.

However, if you purchase one instead of the other, the taste of anchos and pasillas is similar enough that your recipe will still work.

On the Scoville scale, a rating system for peppers, Pasillas score quite low. Most infants and grandparents can take a pinch of pasilla at 1,000-3,999 Scoville heat units.

Identification

The Pasilla pepper is a wrinkled brownish-black dried chilli pepper with a long, thin, tapering form and wrinkled brownish-black skin. Pasillas are usually offered entire, with the stems and seeds still attached. Both of these pieces are unpleasant to eat, so throw them away.

Pasilla is named from the Spanish term for “small raisin,” and it does have a raisin-like taste. Pasillas also have a moderate heat and a faint smoky taste with a touch of chocolate.

Nutritional Information

Pasilla chile is not a major source of nutrients in the quantities commonly eaten.

Pasilla chiles, like other spices, are mostly utilized for their strong taste rather than their nutritional value.

Selection

Normally, Pasilla chiles are sold whole. They may be found in bulk bins, either packed in sealed bags or loose.

Pasillas may or may not be simple to come by depending on where you are in the globe. Pasillas may be purchased at numerous grocery shops across Mexico and the United States. If not, look for a Mexican specialty food shop in your region or get them online from a reputable seller.

Select shops with a high product turnover, as with all spice buying. Spices that have been sitting on the shelf for a long time lose their taste and strength.

With a strong, fruity fragrance and a rich, glossy brownish-black hue, good grade dried pasillas should be found largely intact and undamaged. Before snapping, the peppers should bend slightly. They may be old if they are fragile and shatter readily.

Storage

Pasilla chiles should be kept at room temperature in a sealed container away from heat and light, such as a closed cabinet or drawer away from the oven.

Pasilla chile, like other spices, won’t necessarily “go bad,” but it will lose strength after approximately six months if kept as directed. By keeping it in the freezer, you may prolong its life to a year.

Preparation

Before usage, whole dried pasilla chiles must be prepared, mainly to remove the inedible pieces (seeds and stems). They may be used in salsas, marinades, soups, and other recipes after they’ve been cooked.

Cut off the stems and then slice or smash the dried pasilla pepper approximately down the middle before adding it to meals. Take out the seeds. Chop the pepper into small pieces and add to your favorite dish.

Pasilla chiles may also be reconditioned to soften them up and make them simpler to cut or purée before using in a dish. Pour boiling water into a large mixing basin and add the pasillas, making sure they are well submerged. Allow for 15 minutes of resting time before draining the water and patting the chilies dry. Remove the rough stems, scrape out the seeds, and cut the softened peppers into desirable bits before adding them to your favorite dish.

CORN AND PASILLA CHILE CHOWDER RECIPE

The foundation of this dairy-free chowder is sweet and creamy corn, which is enhanced with fiery and smoky pasilla pepper and fresh cilantro.

Ingredients

roasted, rehydrated pasilla peppers, stem and seeds removed, minced 2 olive oil (extra virgin) 2 tbsp coarsely diced white onion 1 garlic clove, minced 3 yellow pepper cloves, chopped 2 jalapeo peppers, removed stems and seeds, minced 1 handful of corn niblets 6 cups oregano, dry a teaspoon of cumin seeds 2 tsp chicken or veggie broth 1 tsp sea salt 1 liter coconut milk (full fat) 1 lime juice can (about 1 tbsp) 1 jar of honey 1 tablespoon cilantro, with a little more for garnish a half-cup

Directions

Time to Prepare: 20 minutes 30 minutes to prepare There are 6 servings in this recipe.

To begin, rehydrate the chiles by placing them in a dish and covering them with hot water. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before draining. Remove the stems and seeds from the softened flesh, then mince it. Remove from the equation.

Heat the olive oil in a big saucepan over medium-high heat until it sizzles. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion, garlic, yellow peppers, and jalapeo pepper are somewhat softened, approximately 5-7 minutes. Cook for a further 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, after adding the minced pasilla chile, corn niblets, and spices. Bring the broth, coconut milk, lime juice, and honey to a low boil. Allow for a 10-minute simmering period.

Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Then, using an immersion blender or a blender in stages, purée the mixture until it reaches the desired texture. You may either blend it till it’s almost smooth or leave it lumpy.

Serve immediately, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro leaves.

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Foods That Are Related

Poblano is a mild-mannered member of the pepper family, and although it contains just a small amount of capsaicin (the compound that gives peppers their heat), it delivers big flavor. Poblano chiles are also one of the few chiles that have a broad range of uses, from the sauce that accompanies Mexican dishes to a common ingredient in mole sauce.. Read more about garlic and pasilla soup pépin and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chile pasilla used for?

Chile pasilla is a type of dried, smoked, and ground chili pepper. It can be used in cooking to add flavor or as a spice.

Are pasilla and ancho chiles the same?

No, pasilla is a type of dried chile pepper that has a smoky flavor. Ancho chiles are larger and have a more mild flavor.

Are pasilla peppers the same as poblano?

Pasilla peppers are a variety of poblano pepper.

Related Tags

This article broadly covered the following related topics:

• pasilla pepper recipes
• dried ancho chiles
• pasilla vs ancho
• pasilla ancho chile
• pasilla pepper