Juan Diego Michels Cheese Stuffed Poblanos Food

CHEESE-STUFFED POBLANOS WITH TOMATO SAUCE (CHILES RELLENOS DE QUESO)

Steps:

• Roast chiles:
• Roast chiles on their sides on racks of gas burners (1 or 2 per burner) over medium-high heat, turning with tongs, until skins are blistered and slightly charred, 4 to 6 minutes. (Or broil on rack of a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat.) Immediately transfer to a large bowl and cover, then let stand 20 minutes.
• Make tomato sauce while chiles stand:
• Purée all sauce ingredients except oil with 11/4 teaspoons salt in a blender until smooth, then strain through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids, then discarding them.
• Heat oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet or heatproof casserole (preferably one that can go to the table) over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully pour in sauce and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes (sauce should still be thin). Season with salt.
• Stuff and fry chiles:
• Carefully rub off skins from chiles, leaving stems attached. Cut a slit lengthwise in each chile with kitchen shears, then carefully cut out seedpod (including attached ribs) without tearing chile (hotter chiles smell stronger when cut). Wipe chiles clean with a paper towel if necessary.
• Stuff chiles with cheese and enclose filling by overlapping slit slightly if possible, then transfer to a plate. (Use a toothpick to mark any hotter chiles if desired.)
• Heat 1/2 inch oil in another 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it registers 360°F on thermometer.
• While oil heats, beat egg whites with 1/8 teaspoon salt using an electric mixer until they just hold stiff peaks. Whisk yolks with 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large bowl, then gently fold in whites.
• Put flour in a fine-mesh sieve and dust chiles, turning them to lightly coat all sides.
• When oil is ready, dip chiles, 1 at a time (hold chile by stem), in egg coating, spooning it over chile to cover completely, then fry, turning once, until golden on all sides (lap oil over any lighter areas), 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer chiles with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Meanwhile, reheat sauce over low heat. Lay chiles in sauce to serve.

STUFFED POBLANOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a blender, combine tomatoes in puree, jalapeno, half the onions, and 2 whole garlic cloves; puree. Season with salt. Pour sauce into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine beans, cornmeal, 1/2 cup cheese, remaining onions, minced garlic, cumin, and 3/4 cup water; season with salt and pepper.
• Dividing evenly, stuff poblano halves with bean mixture; place on top of sauce in baking dish. Sprinkle poblanos with remaining 1/2 cup cheese; cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake until poblanos are tender, about 45 minutes. Uncover, and continue to cook until sauce is thickened slightly and cheese is browned, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let cool 10 minutes. Serve with roasted cauliflower, if desired.

MAC & CHEESE STUFFED POBLANOS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Prepare Dinners as directed on package. Stir in wieners and 1 cup shredded cheese.
• Fill chiles with Dinner mixture; place, filled-sides up, in single layer in shallow baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with remaining shredded cheese and paprika.
• Bake 15 min. or until cheese is melted and peppers are heated through.

JUANA'S CHICKEN-STUFFED POBLANOS

Steps:

• Roast chiles:
• Lay 4 chiles on their sides on racks of gas burners and turn flames on high. (Or broil all 8 chiles on rack of a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat.) Roast chiles, turning with tongs, until skins are blistered but not blackened, 4 to 6 minutes (do not over roast because chiles may fall apart). Transfer immediately to a large plastic bag, then close to allow chiles to steam. Roast remaining chiles in same manner.
• Make filling:
• Cook onion in oil in a medium nonstick skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until onion begins to turn golden, about 4 minutes. Add water and cook, stirring occasionally, until water is evaporated and onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in chicken, salt, and pepper. Cool completely, then stir in cheese.
• Stuff and bake chiles:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Rub skins off chiles. Cut a slit lengthwise in each chile and carefully remove seeds (leave stem attached).
• Stuff filling into chiles through slits, keeping chiles intact. Place chiles in a 13- by 9-inch baking dish and cover tightly with foil.
• Bake chiles in middle of oven until cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.

REFRIED BEAN STUFFED POBLANOS W/ CHEESE

Steps:

• Place chile halves, cut sides up, on a round microwave-safe plate.
• Cover with wax paper; microwave at HIGH 3 minutes.
• While chiles cook, combine beans, rice, and picante sauce in a medium bowl, stirring well. (This is where you would add the chicken if using).
• Spoon bean mixture evenly into chile halves.
• Cover with wax paper; microwave at HIGH 2 minutes.
• Uncover chiles, sprinkle each half with 2 tablespoons cheese, and microwave at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts.
• Sprinkle evenly with cilantro, if desired.

POBLANOS STUFFED WITH CORN AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Coat both a large baking sheet and a 9 x15 baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place poblano on baking sheet and broil 5 inches from heat for 15 to 20 minutes, turning often to char evenly. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat butter and oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add scallions and garlic; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, to wilt scallions. Add corn; cook 2 to 3 minutes then add cilantro. Remove from heat and stir in farmer cheese and salt.
• Heat oven to 350*F. Carefully remove the loosened chard skin from the poblanos. Cut in half lengthwise; remove core and seeds. Arrange poblano in baking dish in single layer. Fill each with about 1/2 cup corn mixture.
• Bake 10 minutes, top with Cheddar cheese and bake 5 minutes to melt cheese.