Southern Style Chiles Rellenos Food

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

CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• In large bowl combine Manchego, Panela and Anejo cheeses. Set aside. Working on a towel-lined counter, spread open 1 chile at a time. Mold 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture in your hands to form a compact torpedo-shaped log and place inside the chile. Roll the flesh to entirely enclose the cheese, using the towel to help shape a tight roll. Place on a platter and stuff the remaining chiles. (They can now be reserved for up to 2 days, well covered, in the refrigerator.) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread flour on a platter. Beat the eggs with the salt and pepper in a bowl wide enough for dipping. In a 9-inch cast-iron skillet heat oil over a medium-high heat. Dip 3 chiles at a time in the flour, patting off the excess so just a fine even coating remains. Then dip chiles into the eggs. Test the oil by dropping a bit of egg. If it sizzles immediately and rises to the surface, the oil is ready. Dip the chiles, 1 at a time, into the oil, putting an extra dollop of egg batter on each. Fry 3 at a time until golden brown all over, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Reheat oil and repeat with remaining chiles. Transfer chiles to a baking dishes or tray and bake until the cheese thoroughly melts and heats through, 8 to 10 minutes. To serve, coat with Tomatillo salsa (other salsas can also be used). Top with a dollop of Crema.
• In blender place tomatillos, jalapenos and water. Puree until just chunky. Add remaining ingredients and puree about 2 minutes more, or until no large chunks remain. This salsa keeps in the refrigerator, in a covered container, about 3 days.
• In large bowl whisk together cream and buttermilk. Cover and set in a warm place (a gas oven with just the heat from the pilot light for example) for 8 hours. Place in refrigerator. Can be kept for up to a week.

SOUTHWESTERN CHILE RELLENOS

Steps:

• To seed chiles, cut each chile in half lengthwise using scissors or knife. Carefully scrape out and discard seeds. Rinse chiles well; drain. Pat dry with paper towels. (wear gloves when handling chiles to prevent irritation to hands and eyes).
• Combine olive oil, salt, white pepper, and cloves in a small bowl. Add chiles; toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Combine both cheeses in another small bowl.
• For each chile rellano, place 1 chile half in center of 1 egg roll wrapper; top with 1/4 cup cheese mixture. Beat egg yolk and water in small cup; brush edges of egg roll wrapper with mixture.
• Fold two opposite edges over filling, overlapping edges; press together, working out any air bubbles. Press ends together. Fold ends under and pinch to seal. Repeat with remaining chiles, egg roll wrappers and cheese mixture.
• Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until oil reaches 375 degrees; adjust heat to maintain temperature. Fry chiles rellanos, a few at a time, in hot oil 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown, turning once. Remove with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
• Note: cooking time doesn't include the 1 hour standing time.

SOUTHERN STYLE CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• creamy grits: Combine condensed chicken broth and whipping cream in a large saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Stir in grits, and return to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 to 7 minutes.
• Stir in cheese.
• Cool 10 minutes.
• Yield: 4 cups Country Sauce: Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour, and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
• Gradually add broth, cream, and water; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
• Stir in pepper (I sometimes throw in some veggie ham, chopped).
• Yield: 2 1/2 cups Place chile peppers on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
• Broil 5 inches from the heat (with electric oven door partially open) 5 minutes on each side or until chile peppers are blistered.
• Place chile peppers in a bowl or heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; cover or seal.
• Let stand 10 minutes to loosen skins.
• Peel peppers, and carefully cut each lengthwise on 1 side, leaving stems attached.
• Remove seeds.
• Spoon Creamy Grits into a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; seal.
• Snip a hole in 1 corner of bag; squeeze grits into peppers.
• Secure stuffed peppers with wooden picks, if desired.
• Cover and chill until firm.
• Combine eggs and whipping cream, stirring to blend.
• Combine flour, cornmeal, and salt in a shallow dish; carefully dredge peppers in flour mixture, and dip into egg mixture.
• Dredge in flour mixtured again.
• Pour oil to depth of 1 inch into a large cast-iron or heavy skillet.
• Heat to 375*.
• Fry 2 peppers at a time, cut side up, 1 minute on each side.
• Drain on paper towels, and remove wooden picks.
• Serve with Country Sauce; garnish, if desired.
• Yield; 4 servings.

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.