Individual Poblano Mac and Manchego with Corn and Mushrooms

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
3/4 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 ears corn on the cob
Salt and pepper
2 to 3 medium Poblano peppers, seeded and stemmed, chopped
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small handful of cilantro leaves
3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream or Mexican crema
2 cups shredded Manchego cheese
1 pound short cut pasta such as ziti with lines or macaroni

Yields: 6

Preparation

In a skillet heat oil and brown mushrooms 10 minutes. Scrape corn from cobs and add to mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook 5 to 6 minutes more. Reserve.

In a blender or food processor combine peppers with stock, onions, garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper, puree. In a saucepot over medium heat melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk and cream and raise heat a bit, add Poblano puree and simmer to thicken and cook sauce, 20 to 25 minutes, stir in 1 cup of grated cheese.

Bring large pot of water to boil, salt it and cook pasta to al dente, reserve a ladle of starchy cooking water. Drain pasta and toss with sauce, mushrooms and corn, add a little starchy water if too thick. Place in individual serving dishes and top with remaining Manchego. Cool and store for make-ahead meal. Bake from room temperature at 350°F to brown and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes if freshly prepared- 30 to 40 minutes if from room temp after being refrigerated.