Stuffed Chiles With Cheese Food

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.

SHRIMP-STUFFED CHILES

Steps:

• Pour enough vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet to come 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Add the chiles and fry, turning frequently, until golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and set aside.
• In a separate pan, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and saute until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the bell peppers and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Season the filling with salt and pepper.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile and carefully scoop out the seeds, leaving the stem intact. (For milder heat, carefully cut out the ribs.) Divide the shrimp filling among the chiles, then close, overlapping the sides of each opening slightly.
• On a shallow serving platter, toss the cucumber, sliced onions, soy sauce and lime juice and spread out on the platter. Arrange the chiles, seam-side up, on top of the salad and serve.

GRILLED CHEESE-STUFFED CHILE TACOS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for high heat. Halve the Cubanelle peppers lengthwise, trim the tops and remove the seeds. Drizzle the peppers, tomatoes and onion rounds with oil, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place the vegetables on the hot grill, cut-side down, and cook 6 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, to get some charred areas and dark grill marks. Set aside the grilled pepper halves.
• Put the grilled tomatoes and onion, garlic, chipotles, cilantro, juice of 1 lime and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a food processor, and pulse about 20 times for a chunky salsa.
• Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits and scoop out the flesh with a spoon into a medium bowl. Add the remaining lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash the avocado lightly with a fork so that some large pieces remain.
• Stuff about 2 tablespoons of the Monterey Jack into each pepper half. Place a piece of aluminum foil, large enough to hold all the peppers, on the grill. Arrange the stuffed pepper halves on the foil. Cover the grill to melt the cheese, about 4 minutes.
• Heat the tortillas on the grill for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side for light grill marks. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil to keep them warm and soft.
• To assemble a taco, spread some of the avocado on a tortilla. Top with a stuffed pepper half, followed by a spoonful of salsa, a dollop of the sour cream and some torn cilantro leaves.

CHEESE AND CHILE-STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and coarsely chop them. Scrape the gills from the underside of the mushroom caps using a spoon; discard.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, half of the scallions, the poblano and garlic and cook, stirring, until the poblano is soft, about 4 minutes. Add the mushroom stems and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup wheat germ and cook 1 minute. Remove from the heat; stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper.
• Stuff the mushroom caps with one-quarter each of the mozzarella and poblano mixture and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon wheat germ and generously spray with cooking spray. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the wheat germ is golden, about 20 minutes. Top with the sour cream, jalapeno and the remaining scallions.

STUFFED CHEESE POBLANOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F. Meanwhile on a gas stove on high or skillet heat chiles directly on flame until charred. Keep in plastic bag for 5 minutes. Peel chiles under cold water.
• Open on one side, remove seeds. Fill each poblano with 3 strips of the cheese. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons shredded mozarella cheese on each chile. Place in 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
• Bake chiles 15 to 20 minutes or until cheeses are melted and chiles are soft.
• Meanwhile, make tomato sauce. Place all sauce ingredients in food processor bowl or blender; process until smooth. Pour sauce into 2 quart saucepan. Cook over medium high heat about 15 minutes or until sauce is slightly reduced and dark red.
• To serve, place tomato sauce on plate; top with stuffed poblano chile. Drizzle with mexican style cream.

CHILES RELLENOS (STUFFED PEPPERS)

Steps:

• Place whole peppers over an open flame (gas burner) or under the broiler. Roast, turning frequently until evenly black and blistered. Remove from heat, place in a plastic bag, and let them sweat for a while. This will allow the skins to peel of easily.
• While the peppers are sweating, place the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring to crumble, until evenly browned. When beef is fully cooked, add the onion, garlic and tomato, and cook for a few more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the peppers from the bag, and peel off the burnt skin. You may wish to wear protective gloves. Run peppers under cool running water to rinse away any burnt pieces. Make a small vertical slit in the side of the peppers, and remove the seeds and veins. Stuff each pepper halfway with the ground beef mixture, then fill the rest of the way with shredded cheese. Close the slits, and secure with toothpicks.
• Whip egg whites in a large glass or metal bowl until thick and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, and whip for a minute to blend in.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the stuffed peppers with a light dusting of flour, then dip them in the egg so they are fully covered. Carefully place in the hot oil, and fry on both sides until golden. Drain on paper towels, then serve on a large platter.

POTATO- AND CHEESE-STUFFED CHILES RELLENOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Cut slit in end of each chile to allow release of steam during cooking. Brush chiles with oil and roast in oven 5 to 10 minutes, until skins are lightly charred and blistered. Place in plastic bag and seal. Let them steam 5 minutes; using small knife, carefully peel off skin. Slit each chile open from top to bottom and remove seeds.
• In boiling salted water cook potatoes until just tender, then drain and place in bowl. Crush with fork, mix in goat cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stuff chiles with this mixture and arrange single layer in baking dish.
• For sauce, in frying pan heat oil, then add red chiles, garlic, and scallions and cook about 2 minutes, until softened. Add tomatoes, corn tortillas, brown sugar, and oregano, and cook over gentle heat 10 minutes. Pour into blender and blitz to almost smooth but slightly textured sauce. Pour sauce over stuffed chiles and bake 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with grated cheddar cheese, pour sour cream over that, and serve. Makes 4 servings.

TRADITIONAL CHILES RELLENOS DE QUESO (CHILES STUFFED WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Chiles:.
• Put chiles on a hot grill or under the broiler, let skin blister and burn.
• Turn chiles occasionally so they don't overcook or burn through to the flesh.
• Wrap chiles in a damp cloth or plastic bag for 20 minutes.
• The burned skin will flake off easily and the flesh will be slightly cooked by the steam.
• Slit the side of each chile, remove seeds and veins. Leave the top of the chile intact.
• Rinse chiles and pat dry.
• Filling:.
• Mix breadcrumbs, Pepper Jack, Cheddar cheese and cumin with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stuff filling into the slits in the chiles.
• Batter:.
• Heat at least 1/2 inch (but no more than 1 full inch) oil in a heavy, deep pot to 350ºF.
• Beat egg whites until they are stiff, but not dry.
• Add salt and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Pat chiles completely dry (or batter won't adhere); sprinkle lightly with flour. Coat with batter.
• Fry chiles in hot oil, turn occasionally, until golden.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and melt in a 350ºF oven for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately.

STUFFED CHILES

Steps:

• Put chiles on a hot grill or under the broiler, let skin blister and burn.
• Turn chiles occasionally so they don't overcook or burn through to the flesh.
• Wrap chiles in tin foil (or paper bag) for 10-20 minutes. The burned skin will flake off easily and the flesh will be slightly cooked by the steam.
• Slit the side of each chile, remove seeds and veins.
• Mix chicken, red onion, cilantro, red pepper, cheese, black beans, cumin, salt and pepper to taste. Stuff filling into the slits in the chiles.
• Line bottom of pan with rotel, then layer open, stuffed chiles.
• Sprinkle each with quesco fresco, mexican cheese and cilantro, melt in a 350ºF oven for 15 minutes.

CHILES STUFFED WITH CORN & CREMA

Steps:

• Over an open flame of a gas stove or barbeque grill or in a dry cast-iron or nonstick skillet over high heat, roast the chiles until they are charred on all sides. This will take a few minutes over an open flame and about 10 minutes in a skillet.
• Remove the chiles from the heat and seal in a plastic bag for 5 minutes. This will create steam and allow the skins to separate from the flesh. If you don't have a plastic bag, place the chiles in a bowl and cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• Peel away the skins. Cut a slit down one side of each roasted and peeled poblano chile, starting just under the stem and going all the way down to the tip. Remove all the seeds and as much of the veins as you can, being careful not to rip the chile. Set aside.
• If you are using fresh corn, husk the corn, remove the silks, and slice the kernels from the cobs with a knife. Pour the oil into a large sauté pan set over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the corn kernels, season with the salt and pepper, and continue cooking for 5 minutes, or until the corn begins to just turn a golden brown color. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Stuff 1/2 cup of the sautéed corn mixture into a chile. Top the corn with 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1 1/2 tablespoons crema, and another 1 1/2 tablespoons shredded cheese. The chile should be fat and full. Place the stuffed chile, slit side up, in a baking dish and repeat with the remaining chiles. (The size and shape of the baking dish is not important, as long as the chiles are placed in a single layer.) Arrange the chiles side by side in the dish; they can be touching, if needed. It's a good idea to select a dish that you would be happy taking to the table, as the chiles are best eaten straight from the oven.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Then broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese turns golden brown and bubbly.
• Serve warm in the baking dish or transfer to a serving platter.
• INGREDIENTS
• Poblano Chiles
• There really is no substitute for the rich-tasting and slightly hot poblano chile. Resist using a bell pepper in its place because the flavor and color of the dish will not be the same.
• Frozen Corn
• If you are using frozen corn, measure the amount needed before defrosting.
• Mexican Crema
• Do not substitute sour cream for the crema in this recipe because sour cream tends to separate when baked. A suitable substitute would be crème fraîche.
• TECHNIQUE
• Removing Corn Kernels
• I find that the easiest way to do this is to work with the corn in a horizontal position and essentially slice four sides off of the ear of corn. You will need a large chef's knife. Place the corn on a cutting board lengthwise in front of you and position the tip of your knife blade on the top right side of the corn then slice off the entire right side. To help avoid cutting into the cob, place your blade one kernel in from the edge. Rotate the ear of corn clockwise and repeat with the remaining three sides.
• ADVANCE PREPARATION
• The chiles can be roasted a day in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator. The corn mixture also can be sautéed ahead of time. The chiles can be assembled a few hours in advance, but should be baked just before serving.

GREEN CHILES RELLENOS (STUFFED GREEN CHILES)

Steps:

• Cut cheese into slices 1/2" thick and the length of the chili.
• Make a small slit in chili just big enough to insert cheese(you can also poke in some slivers of onion at this point).
• Dip in batter and fry in hot oil or lard until golder brown.
• Drain and serve.
• May be garnished with green chili sauce if desired.
• To make batter, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cornmeal.
• Blend milk with egg;then combine milk and egg mixture with dry ingredients.
• Add more milk if necessary for smooth batter.
• Using a spoon, dip stuffed chilies in batter.

CHILI AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Mix together rice, chili, cheese, onion, and cumin.
• Rinse chicken thoroughly, and pat dry. Cut a slit in each breast to create a pouch that is open on one side only. Stuff each chicken breast with rice filling.
• Coat each stuffed breast with beaten egg, then coat in potato flakes and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until juices run clear. If the breasts dry out too quickly, cover loosely with a piece of foil.

CHILES STUFFED WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS AND BACON WITH CHIHUAHUA CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups cream to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat; whisk in cheese. Boil sauce until reduced to 1 cup, whisking occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Before serving, rewarm over low heat, and thin with cream by tablespoonfuls if desired.)
• Char poblano chiles over gas flame or in broiler until blackened. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel chiles, leaving stem intact. Cut 1 slit lengthwise down side of each chile; carefully remove seeds.
• Cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off drippings from skillet. Add butter to same skillet and melt over medium heat. Add eggs and stir gently until softly set, about 4 minutes. Mix in bacon. Season eggs with salt and pepper.
• Spoon eggs into roasted chiles through slit. Arrange 1 stuffed chile on each plate. Spoon warm cheese sauce over. Garnish with guajillo chile strips, cilantro, tortilla chips, and tomatoes.
• *Melting cheese available in balls, braids, or rounds. Sometimes labeled queso asadero or queso oaxaca. Substitute mozzarella or Monterey Jack.