Taste of the Town: Green chile lovers rejoice

It's Hatch green chile season!

In case that doesn't ring a bell for you: Hatch chiles are from New Mexico and are known for their exceptional flavor. Seasonal chile-roasting is a big deal in their hometown of Hatch, N.M., and during the past few years, that tradition has come to Las Vegas.

Carlito's Burritos, 3345 E. Patrick Lane, which celebrates (and serves) all things having to do with New Mexico's culinary tradition, is roasting the chiles from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until supplies are exhausted. A sack of peppers weighs about 30 pounds before roasting, and they sell for $38 per sack roasted, or $33 unroasted. Call 702-547-3592.

And three local Sprouts Farmers Markets, at 515 N. Stephanie St. and 635 S. Green Valley Parkway in Henderson and 4020 S. Rainbow Blvd., will be roasting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. That's while supplies last, which is estimated to end Sunday but may extend into September. At Sprouts, fresh chiles are 99 cents a pound or $19.99 for a case (case purchases include roasting); roasted chiles are $3.49 a pound.

Below is a recipe using them:

Chile sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon flour

1 cup chicken or vegetable stock

2 cups roasted green chiles, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes

¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and pepper, to taste

Heat oil in a saute pan over high heat. Add onion and saute for a few minutes. Add garlic and cook until onion is soft. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add chicken stock, stirring to blend. Add chiles, tomatoes and seasonings and stir to mix. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Puree in a blender until smooth and serve.

— Recipe from Sprouts Farmers Market

Reader finds

For Pete DeMonte, who is looking for unpackaged hot dogs, Van Bohner suggested Windy City Beefs 'n Dogs at 7500 W. Lake Mead Blvd., and Kara Hierro of Glazier's Food Marketplace at 8525 W. Warm Springs Road reported that they carry them in the meat case. ...

And for Melissa Wells, who is looking for unstuffed pitted green olives, Mike Mas said they're available at Trader Joe's, which has five stores in the valley.

Reader requests

Terry Clark is looking for a Monte Cristo sandwich from a source other than the El Cortez or Jerry's Nugget. ...

Janet Taylor is looking for Spanish Gardens Taco Sauce, either from a local or mail-order source. ...

J.J. Sharbaugh is looking for 12-ounce bottles of Dry Soda in cucumber flavor, formerly found at Sprouts Farmers Market, adding, "This is not the sweet cucumber soda." ...

Jeff Blenner is looking for a supermarket or liquor store that carries Little Kings Cream Ale in 7-ounce bottles. ...

And Mary Hausch is looking for Seltzer's Lean Beef Lebanon bologna, which she used to find at Smith's, and a local source for Krusteaz Honey Raisin Bran Supreme Muffin Mix, adding, "These muffins are delicious, particularly when fresh blueberries and pecans or walnuts are added."

Readers?

Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 702-383-4676 or email her at Hrinella@reviewjournal.com. If emailing, please put "Taste of the Town" in the subject line. Find more of her stories at bestoflasvegas.com, and follow @HKRinella on Twitter.