Cheater Chile Relleno Food

CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• Char the chiles.
• Turn a gas burner on high. Char the chiles on the burner grate, turning with tongs (Marcela is a pro and uses her hands!), until blackened all over. Or char the chiles under the broiler.
• Let them soften.
• Transfer the charred chiles to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag and close. Let stand 10 minutes. The chiles will steam in the bag, making them soft and easy to peel.
• Remove the skin.
• Gently rub the chiles with paper towels to remove as much skin as possible. It's okay if a few flecks remain-they'll add flavor, so don't rinse them off.
• Open the chiles.
• Using a paring knife, make a slit across the top of a chile just below the stem, leaving the stem intact. Starting from the middle of the slit, slice lengthwise down to the tip of the pepper (cut through only one layer). Open the chile like a book and pull out the seeds and inner membranes. You may need to use a paring knife to loosen the top of the seedpod. Repeat with the remaining chiles.
• Prepare the sauce.
• Puree the tomatoes, onion and garlic in a blender until smooth. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomato puree and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; the sauce will be broth-y. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• Make the filling.
• Place the cheese in a bowl, then add the oregano, crumbling and rubbing it with your fingers to release its flavor. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
• Stuff the chiles.
• Fill each chile with about 1/4 cup cheese mixture. Fold in the sides to cover the filling, then thread 2 toothpicks across the seam to form an X. You will probably need to make a second toothpick X to secure each chile so the filling doesn't leak out when you fry.
• Mix the batter.
• Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Add the egg yolk and beat 3 more minutes.
• Batter and fry.
• Heat about 1 inch vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Dredge: Pour flour into a shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. One at a time, coat the stuffed chiles with the flour.
• Batter: Holding each chile by the stem, lower it into the egg batter to cover completely. Let any excess batter drip off.
• Fry: Add the chiles to the hot oil, 1 or 2 at a time; fry, flipping once with tongs, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Eat!
• Place a fried chile on each plate and pour the warm sauce over it. Serve immediately.

CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack directly underneath the broiler and preheat the broiler.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the Mexican crema, hot sauce, lime zest and juice and salt to taste; stir to combine. Set aside to let the flavors meld together.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chorizo and onions, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside until ready to stuff the roasted poblanos.
• Place the poblanos on a baking sheet and broil, turning once, until the skin is blistered and blackened, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Put the charred poblanos in a medium heatproof bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel and rub away the skins of the poblanos, then gently dry using a paper towel. Cut a 2-inch lengthwise slit in the center of each poblano and carefully cut out the seeds with kitchen shears, leaving the stems intact.
• Stuff each poblano with the chorizo and cheese, dividing evenly. Gently close the opening using 2 to 3 toothpicks to keep the filling from falling out.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 375 degrees F. Position a wire rack on a baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until medium peaks form. With the mixer on low, add the egg yolks and 1 tablespoon flour and mix until completely incorporated. The batter should be smooth and fluffy.
• Sprinkle the poblanos with salt, then dredge in the remaining 1/2 cup flour, tapping to shake off any excess; dip into the batter until fully coated. Gently add the poblano to the hot oil and fry in batches to not overcrowd the skillet. Cook until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the wire rack to drain. Serve warm on a platter and drizzle with the spicy lime crema and a side of yellow rice, if using.

REAL CHILE RELLENOS AND A CASSEROLE VERSION

Steps:

• Instructions Beat the egg whites until stiff in a medium mixing bowl. Beat the yolks in a separate bowl. Fold the yolks, flour, and cornmeal into the whites. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a wide high sided skillet to about 375 F. Cut a slit in the chilies and fill with cheese. Dip each chili into the egg white batter and carefully place in the hot oil. Only fry a few at a time and do not crowd the pan. Cook until golden brown, carefully turning once or twice, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately. This batter recipe will coat about 8 chiles, so double the amount if needed.

CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• To prepare the chiles:
• Position a rack on the upper most shelf of the broiler element and preheat. Put the chiles on a foil-lined broiler pan and broil, turning occasionally with tongs, until the skin is charred, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chiles to a bowl, cover, and cool for 10 minutes.
• Carefully rub the charred skin off the chiles. Using a small knife, make a lengthwise slit along the side of each chile to form a pocket. Carefully cut out and discard the seeds.
• Cut the cheese into 6 (1/4-inch-thick) slabs, about 3/4 the length of each chile (your chiles probably vary in length, so tailor the cheese to the chiles). Slip the cheese pieces into the pocket of each chile so they're 2/3 full. (If the cheese protrudes from the chiles, just cut a little off.) "Sew" each chile shut with a wooden skewer or long toothpick. (The skewers should be longer than the chiles, so they can be easily pulled out after frying.)
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the beer to a make a smooth batter.
• In a large, wide, heavy-bottomed pot, pour in the oil to a depth of about 3 inches. Heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 365 degrees F.
• Put the flour for dredging on a plate. Working in 2 batches, dredge the chiles in the flour (the dampness of the chiles creates a light paste with the flour that seals over any tears), dip in the batter, and carefully add to the oil. Fry, turning the chiles once, until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes per batch. Using tongs, transfer the chiles rellenos to a dry paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Sprinkle with salt, to taste. Gently pull out and discard the skewers.
• Heat the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce on a plate and set 1 chile relleno on top. Repeat with the remaining sauce and chiles. Serve.
• In a blender, combine all the ingredients and puree until smooth.
• Transfer the tomato puree to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until slightly thick, about 10 minutes.
• Yield: about 3 cups

CHEATER CHILE RELLENO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Coat a 9x9 pan with nonstick spray.
• Combine the grated cheese together.
• Split chiles open by sliding a knife down from the top to the bottom and remove seeds and veins.
• Lay half of the chiles open in the bottom on the prepared pan.
• Sprinkle half of the cheese on top of chiles.
• Repeat.
• In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and sour cream.
• Pour over the cheese and chiles, carefully spreading to the edges.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes or until lightly brown at the edges and the center is set.
• Remove from the oven and let set five minutes before serving.
• Can top with salsa or enchilada sauce if desired.

UNTRADITIONAL CHILE RELLENOS

Steps:

• Mix bread crumbs with salt and garlic powder.
• Remove stems from chile and seed if you want. Cut open and lay chile flat.
• Divide the 1/2 cup cheese between the 4 chiles and place 2 strips of tomatoe in each.
• Close up chile and sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese on them.
• Sprinkle bread crumbs on chiles. May not need the whole cup, maybe 3/4 cup.
• Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top of bread crumbs.
• Microwave for 3 minutes or until cheese melts.

CHILE RELLENOS EN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Mix cheese and chilies in a greased oblong casserole dish.
• Separate eggs and beat whites until stiff.
• Mix flour, yolks and milk together.
• Fold whites into yolk mixture.
• Pour over chilies and cheese in casserole.
• Dribble tomato or enchilada sauce on top.
• Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

CHILE RELLENOS WITH GROUND PORK AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• NOTE: The pork and cheese mixture is enough to stuff 8 poblano peppers. Simply increase your peppers, flour, and egg according to how many peppers you will be stuffing. I usually just stuff 2 peppers and then we just eat the leftover stuffing in tacos but sometimes stuff 8 peppers if having guests.
• Roast your peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes or until their skins start to blister and char a little bit. Turn them over halfway through.
• Put the peppers into a ziploc bag and keep it sealed for about 30 minutes to allow the peppers to "sweat".
• Meanwhile, cook your pork in a skillet until no longer pink then drain it and place in a mixing bowl.
• Put your cheese in with the hot pork and mix it around, allowing it to melt a little with the meat.
• After the 30 minutes, carefully remove the skins on your poblanos. (As much as you can without tearing up the pepper--it's o.k. if a little stays on.
• In the foil where your peppers were, spread out your flour.
• Cut a "T" shape (top of the "T" being at the stem of the pepper) into your peppers carefully and remove the seeds then lay them into the flour on their outsides.
• Put a little of the pork and cheese mixture into the pepper, sprinkle with tomatoes then close the pepper up and secure it with a toothpick.
• Beat the egg white in a medium bowl until stiff. Beat the egg yolk lightly in a small bowl then fold into the egg white and gently fold them together.
• Pour oil about 1/4 inch deep into a large frying pan. Heat the oil to about 365 degrees F. (doesn't have to be exact, just hot).
• Dip the stuffed, floured peppers carefully into the egg mixture to coat then lay them gently into the hot oil.
• Fry until golden brown and then turn with a spatula to brown the other side.
• Remove to a plate and serve with your favorite queso sauce or salsa!

MAC & CHEESE CHILE RELLENO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 1 cup onions, 2 cloves garlic, red bell peppers and jalapenos. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5-8 minutes.
• Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter to melt, then add 1 teaspoon chili powder and flour. Stir to combine completely, then stir in the milk. Increase heat to medium high, bring mixture to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Add 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted. Fold in macaroni and season to taste with salt and pepper; remove from heat and set aside.
• To prepare poblanos, make a slice to open the pepper, then gently rinse to remove seeds. Keep the stem intact if possible. Fill the peppers with macaroni and cheese, and wrap the edges of the poblanos towards each other to meet halfway. Place on prepared baking sheet. Top with remaining 1 cup shredded pepper jack and cheddar cheeses.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheeses are melted and filling is warmed through.
• To prepare sauce, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup onions and 2 cloves garlic and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and salsa and bring to a simmer. Keep warm.
• To serve, ladle 1/2 cup sauce onto a plate, top with poblano and garnish with pico de gallo and chopped cilantro.