Hey there, fellow food lovers! Ever wondered how to make your meals pop with that special southwest zing? Well, I’ve got a secret weapon for ya: hatch chilies! These little green dynamos pack a punch of flavor that’ll knock your socks off. So, what’s the deal with hatch chilies, and how can you use ’em? Hatch chilies are versatile peppers from New Mexico that can transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences. In this post, we’ll explore ten awesome recipes that’ll make your taste buds dance!
I remember the first time I tried a hatch chili. My friend brought some back from a trip to New Mexico and boy, was I skeptical! But one bite of her homemade hatch chili salsa, and I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to create tasty dishes with these flavor-packed peppers. Let me tell ya, it’s been a delicious journey!
So, grab your apron and get ready to spice things up! We’re about to dive into ten mouthwatering hatch chili recipes that’ll turn you into a kitchen superstar. From cozy soups to zesty salsas and even a surprising dessert, we’ve got something for everyone. Let’s get cookin’!
1. Classic Hatch Green Chili Stew
This stew’s a real humdinger! It’s perfect for chilly nights when you need something to warm your bones.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 roasted hatch chilies, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Brown pork in a large pot over medium heat.
- Toss in onions and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
- Add hatch chilies, broth, and potatoes.
- Simmer for 2 hours or until pork’s tender.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, maybe with a sprinkle of cilantro on top.
This stew’s so good, it might just become your new comfort food! The hatch chilies give it a kick that’ll wake up your taste buds.
2. Hatch Chili Cheese Dip
Wowza! This dip’s a real crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for game day or any time you need a cheesy fix.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 roasted hatch chilies, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, and sour cream in a bowl.
- Fold in hatch chilies, onion, and garlic.
- Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Season with salt.
- Serve with tortilla chips or veggie sticks.
This dip’s so addictive, you might wanna make a double batch! Trust me, it’ll disappear faster than you can say “hatch chili”!
3. Hatch Chili Cornbread
Y’all, this cornbread’s gonna knock your socks off! It’s got just the right balance of sweet and heat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup roasted hatch chilies, diced
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk milk, oil, and egg in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Don’t overmix!
- Fold in hatch chilies and corn.
- Pour into a greased 9-inch pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
This cornbread’s so moist and flavorful, you might never go back to plain ol’ cornbread again!
4. Hatch Chili Salsa
Holy guacamole! This salsa’s gonna be your new go-to for taco nights and chip dipping.
Ingredients:
- 6 roasted hatch chilies, peeled and chopped
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Let sit for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve with tortilla chips or use as a topping for tacos.
This salsa’s so fresh and zesty, it’ll make your mouth do a happy dance!
5. Creamy Hatch Chili Mac and Cheese
Get ready for the ultimate comfort food mashup! This mac and cheese’s got a spicy twist that’ll blow your mind.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup roasted hatch chilies, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions.
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk. Cook until thickened.
- Stir in cheeses until melted.
- Add hatch chilies, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in cooked macaroni.
- Serve hot and gooey!
This mac and cheese’s so creamy and flavorful, you might just lick your plate clean!
6. Hatch Chili Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas are the bee’s knees! They’re packed with flavor and oh-so-satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup roasted hatch chilies, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups green enchilada sauce
- Optional toppings: cilantro, avocado, extra cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix chicken, 1/2 cup hatch chilies, 1/2 cup cheese, and sour cream.
- Warm tortillas to make ’em pliable.
- Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture and roll up.
- Place in a baking dish, seam side down.
- Pour enchilada sauce over top.
- Sprinkle with remaining cheese and hatch chilies.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
- Add your favorite toppings and dig in!
These enchiladas are so good, you might dream about ’em! The hatch chilies give ’em a kick that’ll keep you coming back for more.
7. Hatch Chili Breakfast Burrito
Rise and shine with this flavor-packed breakfast burrito! It’s the perfect way to start your day with a bang.
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup roasted hatch chilies, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon or sausage (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: salsa or hot sauce for serving
Instructions:
- Whisk eggs and milk in a bowl.
- Scramble eggs in a pan over medium heat.
- When eggs are almost set, add hatch chilies and cheese.
- Warm tortillas in microwave or on stovetop.
- Divide egg mixture among tortillas.
- Add bacon or sausage if using.
- Roll up burritos and wrap in foil to keep warm.
- Serve with salsa or hot sauce if desired.
These burritos are so tasty, they might just become your new breakfast obsession!
8. Hatch Chili Hummus
Holy moly, this hummus is outta this world! It’s creamy, spicy, and totally addictive.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup roasted hatch chilies
- Salt to taste
- Optional: paprika and extra olive oil for garnish
Instructions:
- Toss all ingredients except garnishes in a food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika if desired.
- Serve with pita chips, veggie sticks, or use as a sandwich spread.
This hummus is so good, you might never buy store-bought again! The hatch chilies give it a unique flavor that’ll have your taste buds doing cartwheels.
9. Hatch Chili Cheeseburgers
Get ready for the ultimate burger experience! These bad boys are juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup roasted hatch chilies, diced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 burger buns
- Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo
Instructions:
- Mix beef, hatch chilies, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Form into 4 patties.
- Grill or pan-fry burgers to desired doneness.
- Top with cheese slices in last minute of cooking.
- Toast buns if desired.
- Assemble burgers with your favorite toppings.
- Sink your teeth in and enjoy!
These burgers are so darn good, they might ruin regular burgers for ya! The hatch chilies add a smoky, spicy kick that’ll make your taste buds sing.
10. Hatch Chili Apple Pie
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Chilies in apple pie? Trust me on this one, folks. It’s a game-changer!
Ingredients:
- 6 cups sliced apples
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup roasted hatch chilies, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 pie crusts (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, hatch chilies, and lemon juice.
- Pour filling into bottom crust.
- Dot with butter.
- Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut slits for venting.
- Brush with beaten egg.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before slicing.
This pie’s so unique and delicious, it might just become your new signature dessert! The hatch chilies add a subtle heat that perfectly complements the sweet apples.
Conclusion
Whew! We’ve covered a lot of ground (and a lot of tasty recipes) in this post. From savory stews to spicy dips and even a surprising dessert, these hatch chili recipes prove that this little pepper can pack a big punch of flavor.
Remember, cooking with hatch chilies is all about experimentation and having fun in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to adjust the heat level to your liking or try adding hatch chilies to your favorite recipes. You might just discover a new family favorite!
I hope these recipes inspire you to give hatch chilies a try. Trust me, once you start cooking with these flavorful peppers, you’ll be hooked! So go ahead, spice up your life with some hatch chili goodness. Your taste buds will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I find hatch chilies?
Hatch chilies are typically available fresh in late summer and early fall. You can often find them at specialty grocery stores or farmers markets. If fresh ones aren’t available, you can use canned or frozen hatch chilies. - How spicy are hatch chilies?
Hatch chilies can range from mild to hot, depending on the variety. If you’re sensitive to heat, start with a smaller amount and adjust to your taste. - Can I substitute other chilies for hatch chilies in these recipes?
While hatch chilies have a unique flavor, you can substitute other green chilies like Anaheim or poblano peppers if hatch chilies aren’t available. - How do I roast hatch chilies?
To roast hatch chilies, place them under the broiler or on a grill until the skin blackens and blisters. Then, place them in a plastic bag to steam for about 10 minutes. After that, the skin should peel off easily. - Can I freeze hatch chilies?
Yes! Roast and peel the chilies, then freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags. They’ll keep for several months, allowing you to enjoy hatch chili flavor year-round.
