Chile Rellenos Topped With Ranchera Sauce Garnished With White Cheese And Cilantro Food

OLE! CHILE RELLENO SAUCE

Steps:

• HEAT 1/3 cup corn oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat; CHOP 1 medium onion together with 4 cloves of garlic in a food processor; SAUTE the onion and garlic mixture in the corn oil until translucent and golden, and almost caramelized.
• ADD 1/3 cup flour to the saute mixture; STIR the mixture as it cooks, until it is deep golden in color (mixture will be paste-like).
• PLACE into the large bowl of a food processor enough fresh ripe Roma tomatoes to yield approximately 1 1/2 cups pureed, and one stem-removed seeded fresh jalapeno pepper; PROCESS both until pulverized.
• TRANSFER the sauteed onion and garlic roux from the saucepan into the bowl of the food processor with the tomatoes and jalapeno, submerging the into the pulverized mixture first.
• PROCESS until all ingredients until finely pureed.
• POUR pureed mixture into the same medium saucepan.
• STIR in 5 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed Mexican oregano (crush between fingers) 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper, and 1 small bay leaf.
• BRING mixture to boiling while whisking; REDUCE heat to medium and cook for about 45 minutes, whisking occasionally, or until desired consistency is reached; COVER slightly vented so steam can escape; KEEP sauce warm over lowest heat, whisking occasionally until served, or reheat and stir before serving.
• POUR a small pool of warmed sauce onto chile relleno serving plate; PLACE chile relleno over sauce; TOP chile relleno with additional sauce; GARNISH as desired; SERVE.
• SNAP your fingers and shout,"OLE!".

CHILES RELLENOS WITH PICADILLO

Steps:

• To prepare Picadillo: In a large skillet, saute the onion, garlic and bay leaves in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until the onion is softened. Add the beef, and continue to cook until the beef is no longer pink; breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in oregano, cloves, and cinnamon. Pour out any excess fat and stir in the tomato paste until thoroughly incorporated. Add chipotles, raisins, almonds, and olives; salt to taste. Remove from heat. When mixture is cool, add cheese and mix well.
• Char the flesh of the peppers over a gas flame, under a broiler or on a grill. Alternatively, set a rack over an electric burner or use a very hot heavy frying pan. Cook, turning frequently, until the skins are blistered all over. Take care not to overcook and burn right through the pepper. Put peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let sweat for about 10 minutes to loosen the skins. Rub off as much skin as possible and cut a slit along the side of each pepper, keeping the stems and tip intact. Carefully remove the seeds and inner membranes, but do not rinse with water.
• Heat 1-inch of oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat until very hot. Place flour in a shallow platter and season with salt and pepper. Beat egg whites until foamy, add a pinch of salt, and whip to stiff peaks. Lightly beat the egg yolks and fold into the whites. Stuff the chiles with picadillo, leaving enough room to close the opening. Overlap the seam slightly and gently squeeze closed. Secure with wooden toothpicks if desired. Pat the peppers dry and lightly coat in the seasoned flour. Pick the chile up by its stem and dip into the egg batter, making sure they are well covered, tap off excess. Fry until evenly browned, about 3 minutes each side. The egg burns easily so take care not to cook too long. Drain on paper towels. To serve, ladle a pool of Tomato Ranchero sauce on plates and set chiles rellenos on top, serve immediately.
• Combine and puree the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, cumin, and garlic in a food processor.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan or skillet and fry the tomato puree over high flame. Add broth, and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and is heated through. If sauce tastes somewhat bitter, add a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle with a dash of hot red pepper sauce. Sauce may be served hot or cold.
• Yield: about 2 cups