Mexican Chiles Rellenos Puff Food

CHILES RELLENO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to high broil. Wash peppers, pat completely dry, and place them on a baking sheet. Broil for several minutes, turning halfway, until very blackened on both sides.
• Place chiles in a plastic bag and tie the bag, or place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to allow them to steam. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until they are cool enough to handle.
• Open the bag and gently peel the charred outer skin off of the chiles-it should come off easily.
• Starting at the top stem of the chiles, use a knife to make a small slit into the side of each chili about 1.5 inches long. Use your finger or a small spoon to gently remove the seeds and membrane, (being careful not to tear the peppers). Cut the cheese into chunks and carefully stuff a few pieces in to fill each chili.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Prepare the batter. Separate the egg whites into a small mixing bowl, and the egg yolks into a large, deep mixing bowl. Whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks. Set aside.
• To the bowl with the egg yolks, add milk, 1/2 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites.
• Add ¼ cup of flour to a shallow bowl or plate and gently coat chiles in flour on both sides-they only need a light coating, which will help the batter adhere to them.
• Check the oil to make sure it's ready by adding a small drop of batter to it. It should gently sizzle and begin to cook and turn golden.
• Lay one of the chiles into the batter and gently spoon batter over it to cover it in a thin layer. Pick the chili up carefully by the stem and lift from the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, and then carefully lay it in the hot oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom, and then flip to the other side.
• Transfer to a wire cooling rack lined with paper towels. Serve warm, topped with salsa roja.
• Serve with: Authentic Mexican Rice and Refried beans

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.

STUFFED POBLANO CHILES ("CHILES RELLENOS")

Steps:

• Sauce: Put the tomatoes, garlic and onion in a blender. Blend until smooth. In a medium saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Chile rellenos: Mix the cheese and oregano in a small bowl. Cut a slit through 1 side of the charred chiles and fill each chile with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Close with toothpicks to hold the filling in place. In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Add the egg yolk and continue to beat for about 1 minute.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.) Dredge the filled chiles in flour until fully covered. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the chiles into the egg mixture, until well coated. Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
• Arrange the chiles on a serving platter, spoon the sauce on top and serve.

CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Roast the chiles on a hot grill or under a broiler on high heat. Use tongs to turn them occasionally, roasting until the skins are blackened and charred, about 20 minutes.
• When the skin of the peppers is sufficiently charred and blistered, remove from the heat, place in a bowl with plastic wrap, and let them cool to room temperature. Once cool, remove from bowl and peel the skin from the cooled chiles, rinsing your fingers if they become sticky. (Do not rinse the peppers themselves, as you will be washing away most of their flavor.) Be careful to not tear the chile while peeling it.
• Remove the seeds by making a small slice into the side of each chile, about 2 to 3 inches long, just big enough to get a spoon into. (Don't hesitate to use an existing tear if there is one.) Delicately insert the spoon into the pepper and scrape the seeds and the white membrane out, trying as hard as you can to not tear the flesh, as it can tear easily.
• Place 2 ounces of cheese into each pepper; work slowly, delicately, and without forcing. Don't over-stuff the chile, making sure the open edges of the pepper still come together.
• Place the flour on a large plate. Put a chile on the flour and sprinkle the rest of the flour on top. Rub your finger around on the surface of the pepper to make sure that it is completely coated, then dust off any excess flour and set chile aside. Repeat this procedure with each of the peppers.
• To prepare the batter, whip the egg whites in a chilled bowl until they are stiff.
• Briefly beat the egg yolks in a separate bowl.
• Then slowly and gently fold them into the beaten whites with the pinch of salt.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan to 350 F. Test it with a drop of batter before putting a whole chile in; if the drop sizzles and floats to the top, it's the right temperature. If it sinks, the oil is not ready; let it heat a little more.
• Once the oil is hot enough, hold the chiles one at a time by the stem and support the bottom with your fingers or a spoon. Dip the stuffed pepper into the batter and coat completely.
• Carefully place it into the hot oil to fry. Repeat with more chiles if there is room in your pan (don't overcrowd the pan). Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, turning over halfway until the batter is a crisp golden brown on all sides. Fry in batches if necessary.
• Remove the chiles from the oil and let them drain on paper towels until all the peppers have been fried.
• Serve chiles rellenos immediately. Enjoy!

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.

CHILE RELLENOS

Steps:

• For the Sauce:.
• Combine the tomatoes, garlic and onion in a food processor and process until liquid.
• Heat 1 TBS olive oil in a saucepan and add mixture; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the chicken broth, salt, jalapenos and cinnamon; simmer gently for 15 minutes more.
• For the chiles:.
• Place the chiles on a baking sheet in a 450°F oven, turning occasionally, until the peels begin to brown and blister all over.
• Remove from oven and place in a plastic bowl and cover with a plate; allow to stand for 10 minutes (alternatively, they can be placed in a brown paper bag for the same length of time).
• After this time, carefully peel the skins away but keeping the chiles intact, including stems.
• Cut a slit (only as big as is needed) along the side of each chile, and slide a piece of cheese in each; if the chile tears open, you can close and secure with wooden toothpicks.
• Roll the filled chiles in flour and evenly coat; set aside.
• Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff.
• In another bowl, lightly beat the yolks then add them to the whites, folding in lightly but thoroughly.
• Pour peanut oil to a depth of 1/4 inch in a large frying pan and heat to 365°F; you will be able to tell that it is hot enough without a thermometer if when you drop a bit of flour into the oil it quickly begins to brown.
• Dip each chile in turn into the egg mixture, coating evenly and sliding any excess off with your fingers, then place immediately in the hot oil (I only fry three at a time).
• Fry till golden, turning on all sides (they should be done in 1-2 minutes); remove and drain on paper toweling.
• Repeat with remaining chiles.
• Remove any toothpicks that you may have used!
• Serve topped with the sauce.

CHILES RELLENOS FROM ZACATECAS MEXICO

Steps:

• Blend garlic, tomatoes, cumin, chopped onion, chicken bullion, tomato sauce, and water until its all into liquid form. Make sure there are no chunks of any thing. Set aside.
• Stuff chilies with cheese and hold together with toothpicks. One tooth pick per chile is fine. Set aside.
• Batter:.
• With a high speed mixer beat egg whites to stiff foamy peaks are formed and in a separate bowl combine the egg yolks with one tablespoon flour and salt and mix well. Then bled the yolks into egg whites and beat until you have a thick paste and it's well incorporated.
• Dust chiles in the flour and dip quickly into batter and when completely covered lay in hot oil. Baste tops with hot oil and fry on each side until golden brown.
• Place the chiles in a deep wide sauce pan/pot. Once all chiles have been fried and arranged in the pot add the onion wedges and sprinkle extra cheese on top Mozzarella or queso fresco.
• Finally pour the sauce over the chiles and cover till it boils. When the chiles and sauce start to boil reduce the heat and simmer for an extra 10-15 minutes.
• (Note: There are many ways to peel chiles, you can blister them on griddle (comal), or in the oven. When both sides are fairly evenly blistered/charred, remove them and place in a sealed plastic bag to steam and peel after about ten minutes.
• You can also deep the fry in hot oil for about 1 min remove, let cool and peel.

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 POBLANOS RELLENOS A LA MEJICANA (MEXICAN STUFFED POBLANO

Steps:

• On medium heat in a large frying pan, cook beef, onion and garlic. Add the chicken bullion and salt to taste. Drain of excess fat and set aside.
• Meanwhile on a comal (or over open flame) roast chile until skin is charred and blistered, turning occasionally for even roasting. About 2 -3 minute on each side. Place the chiles in a plastic bag and cover with towel. Let rest for about 15 minute Once cooled, peel as much skin as possible without tearing the chile. Slice a small slit on side of chile and gently remove stem, membranes and seeds with your fingers. If too many seeds are left, try putting small opening of chile under soft running water for remaining seeds to wash out and dry with towel.
• In a clean bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites until foamy peaks form. About 5-7 minute Set aside. In another bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and yellow, about 4-6 minute Set aside.
• Fill large frying pan with oil to about 3/4 way up of pan. Heat on medium high heat. IMPORTANT to make sure oil is hot enough to cook before placing peppers. Test oil by placing tiny amount of egg white in oil and waiting to hear if it immidietly sizzles.
• Assemlble your work station: Beginning with meat, then chiles, then cheese, then egg yolks, then egg whites and finnally ending at the hot oil.
• Stuff chiles with meat first (do not overstuff) with about 2 table spoons of meat, depending on size of chiles. Then place 2 slices of cheese lenghwise in the chiles. Try to keep chile opening closed (you can secure with 2 toothpicks).
• Place chile inside of bowl with yolk, gently lifting chile and supporting it under neath with both hands. Brush top side with yolk.
• Gently dip yolk covered chile in egg white mixture (try to spoon egg white on top if not covered enough).
• Gently slide chile into frying pan and let fry. While it is frying, with a wide slotted metal spoon, spoon some hot oil on top of chile. The egg whites will start to puff up. Fry for about 3 mins or until brown on that side. Gently flip with a spatula and fry the other side until brown.
• Drain WELL on paper towl. Dabb top of chiles with paper towel to try to remove excess oil.
• Pour tomato sauce over chile and crumble queso fresco on top.

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.

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.