Chile Relleno Puff 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.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CHILI RELLENOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place peppers onto the prepared baking sheet, and cook under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, about 10 minutes. Turn the peppers often to blacken all sides. Place the blackened peppers into a bowl, and tightly seal with plastic wrap. Allow the peppers to steam as they cool, about 15 minutes.
• Rinse cooled peppers under cold water to peel off the skins, and cut a slit along the long side of each pepper to remove the seeds and core. Rinse the peppers inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff the peppers with strips of the cheese.
• Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl with the baking powder. In a second metal bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until the whites form stiff peaks. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture. Place flour into a shallow bowl.
• Heat the vegetable shortening in a skillet over medium heat. Roll each stuffed pepper in flour, tap off excess flour, and dip the peppers into the egg mixture to coat both sides. Gently lay the coated peppers into the hot shortening. Fry peppers until lightly golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side.

REAL CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and place the peppers onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Cook under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, 8 to 10 minutes per side. When the peppers are about 80 percent blackened, place them a plastic bag, seal, and allow the peppers to steam as they cool, about 20 minutes. Once cool, remove the skins and discard. Cut a slit lengthwise into the side of each pepper, and remove seeds and veins. To reduce spiciness, rinse out any remaining seeds with water. Pat the peppers dry with paper towels.
• Mix together the shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar cheese in a bowl until thoroughly blended. Divide the cheese into 4 portions, and squeeze each portion lightly in your hands to make a cone shape. Insert a cone into the slit in each pepper, and pin the openings closed with toothpicks. Dredge each pepper in flour, dust off the excess, and place on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. Place the peppers in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
• To make sauce, blend the stewed tomatoes in a blender until pureed, and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cook and stir for about 30 seconds, and pour in the pureed tomatoes, chicken broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, black pepper, hot pepper sauce, and cinnamon. Reduce to medium-low, and simmer the sauce until reduced by half and thickened, about 20 minutes, stirring often.
• Preheat an oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C), and warm a platter in the oven.
• To make batter and finish the chiles rellenos, mix 1/3 cup flour with salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until the whites form stiff peaks. Lightly mix the egg yolk and flour-salt mixture into the egg whites to make a fluffy batter. Remove peppers from freezer and coat them in flour again; shake off excess flour, and dip each pepper into the egg batter, using a spoon to gently but completely coat each pepper with batter.
• Heat frying oil in a heavy cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Gently lay the coated peppers into the hot oil, and fry on both sides until the batter is golden brown and the cheese filling is hot, about 5 minutes per side. Remove peppers to warmed platter while you finish frying. To serve, ladle a generous spoonful of sauce onto plate, and place pepper on sauce. Serve peppers hot with a dollop of sour cream.

CHILES RELLENOS PUFFS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F Spray 24 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray. In 3-quart saucepan, heat water and butter over high heat to a full rolling boil. Remove from heat.
• Stir in flour, cornmeal and salt (cumin and cayenne if using) until mixture forms a dough and all lumps have disappeared. Gradually stir in beaten eggs until well blended. Stir in both cheeses and the chiles.
• Spoon dough evenly into muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
• Bake 25 to 29 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from muffin cups. Serve warm.

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.

CHILES RELLENO PUFFS

Steps:

• Combine butter and flour in a food processor bowl.
• Process until well mixed.
• Add Monterey Jack cheese, chilies and garlic powder.
• Process until well mixed.
• Form dough into 3/4 inch balls; roll in Parmesan Cheese.
• Place on a greased baking sheet.
• Bake in a 375 oven about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve warm.

CHILES RELLENOS PUFFS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F
• Spray 24 regular size muffin cups with cooking spray.
• In a 3 quart saucepan, heat water and butter over high heat to a full rolling boil.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in flour, cornmeal, and salt until mixture forms a dough and all lumps have disappeared.
• Gradually stir in eggs until well beaten.
• Stir in both cheeses and the chilies.
• Spoon dough evenly into muffin cups, filling them 3/4 full each.
• Bake 25 to 29 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool 2 minutes, remove from muffin cups.
• Serve warm.
• NOTE: if you only have one 12 cup muffin pan, make the 12 muffins and bake as directed.
• Refrigerate left over dough until ready to bake second batch.
• To bake second batch, bake 28 to 35 minutes.
• Extra time compensates for he dough being chilled.

CHILE RELLENO TART

Steps:

• For crust:
• Combine 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup cornmeal and 1 teaspoon salt in processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Blend in water by tablespoonfuls until mixture forms moist clumps. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let dough soften slightly at room temperature before using.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough onto bottom and up sides of prepared pan; trim to fit, reserving scraps. Place pan on heavy baking sheet. Bake until crust is set and edges begin to brown, about 20 minutes. If crust cracks, gently press small bits of reserved dough into cracks. Transfer pan to rack and cool.
• For filling:
• Char chilies over gas flame or under broiler until blackened on all sides. Seal in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and chop chilies.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Sprinkle Gruyère and mozzarella over bottom of crust. Sprinkle chilies over cheese. Combine eggs, cream, goat cheese, butter, salt and pepper in processor; blend well. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with Colby cheese.
• Bake tart until filling is golden brown and set, about 25 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool slightly. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.) Serve warm or at room temperature.

PUFFY CHILES RELLENOS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cut along one side of each chile and open to lie flat. Coat a 13x9-in. baking dish with cooking spray. Layer half of the chiles, tortilla strips, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses in prepared dish. Repeat layers. , In a small bowl, beat the egg substitute, milk, garlic powder, cumin, pepper and salt. Pour over cheese. Sprinkle with paprika., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until puffy and a knife inserted 2 in. from the edge of the pan comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with salsa.

BAKED CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Roast peppers on the top rack of the preheated oven until the skins are charred, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the oven and allow to cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Set the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• While peppers are cooling, whisk eggs, flour, milk, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl until smooth. Slice the queso fresco into eight even rectangles, just shorter than the length of the peppers.
• Carefully peel off the waxy skin of the cooled peppers. Gently cut a slit down the length of the peppers and use a spoon to remove the seeds and membranes.
• Spread about 1/4 cup of the milk mixture on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Wrap each pepper around a queso fresco rectangle. Place each chile/cheese wrap seam-side down in a single layer in the baking dish. Cover with remaining egg mixture. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the egg mixture has risen and the cheese is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

PUFFY CHILE RELLENOS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cut along one side of each chile and lay flat.
• Coat a 13x9x3 inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
• Layer half of the chiles, tortilla strips, and cheeses in the prepared dish. Repeat layers.
• In a small bowl, beat the remaining ingredients except the paprika and salsa. Pour over the cheese. Sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes ur until puffy and a knife inserted 2 inches from the edge of pan comes out clean.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
• Serve with salsa.

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.