Chile Rellenos

Submitted by FlemishMinx

"I'm posting this recipe especially for all those ex-pats out there who can't pop out to a Mexican restaurant when they get the craving. It is admittedly a "fiddly" recipe, but making it myself is the only way I can ever get to eat what is one of my most favorite Mexican dishes. After making it once, you'll find that it isn't so difficult. And for those of you living in Europe as I do, I've discovered that the long and slender dark-green chiles found in Turkish and Moroccan vegetable markets work well, and for the cheese I use a white French Pyrenees cheese that is a suitable substitute for Monterey Jack. This seems to be a dish that varies widely from region to region in how it is prepared; this version is the type I always enjoyed the most."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 6 rellenos

ingredients

• For the sauce

• 4 medium tomatoes, peeled and in quarters
• 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth (or 1/2 cup water PLUS 1/2 bouillon cube)
• salt
• 3 fresh jalapenos or 3 other small green chili peppers, finely chopped
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• For the chiles

• 6 fresh anaheim chilies (or similar)
• 8 ounces monterey jack cheese, cut in 6 equal strips and approximately the lengths of the chiles
• peanut oil, for frying
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs, separated

directions

1. For the Sauce:

2. Combine the tomatoes, garlic and onion in a food processor and process until liquid.
3. Heat 1 TBS olive oil in a saucepan and add mixture; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the chicken broth, salt, jalapenos and cinnamon; simmer gently for 15 minutes more.

5. For the chiles:

6. Place the chiles on a baking sheet in a 450°F oven, turning occasionally, until the peels begin to brown and blister all over.
7. 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).
8. After this time, carefully peel the skins away but keeping the chiles intact, including stems.
9. 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.
10. Roll the filled chiles in flour and evenly coat; set aside.
11. Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff.
12. In another bowl, lightly beat the yolks then add them to the whites, folding in lightly but thoroughly.
13. 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.
14. 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).
15. Fry till golden, turning on all sides (they should be done in 1-2 minutes); remove and drain on paper toweling.
16. Repeat with remaining chiles.
17. Remove any toothpicks that you may have used!
18. Serve topped with the sauce.

Reviews

[scquarles]

I am like Pavlov's dog just thinking about this recipe! I confess I find weekly excuses to make this over and over. Followed the recipe to a "T". It is so easy but time consuming. Do not let that deter you! It is well worth every minute. I do double the sauce, simply because I love it so much. Do not delete the cinnamon, just go sparingly and the extra little taste sensation is surprising. I use the fat problano peppers and thick slices of Mexican queso melting cheese. This was posted almost 4 years ago and it is still a stand out recipe. Thank you SO much!

 

[sushalou]

Delicious & easy though step intensive. I don't have much experience cooking in that much oil & turned the heat to high. My rellenos were a bit darker than I'd like & so I'll use medium high heat next time.

 

[jazzchef]

Very authenic, this is my favorite Mexican food. These turned out wonderfully. You make them with sauce old school, like my family who is from Sinaloa does. Yeah! I have tried to make them like my grandma but she doesnt remember all of the steps because of her age. I was very happy how simple everything was. Thanks a million for the recipe.

 

[Kmac]

FANTASTIC!! Batter was great, the sauce unbelieveable!! Having moved to the East Coast from Southern California, I was starting to have withdrawals from real chile rellenos (apparently here it is accepted to stuff some cheese in a bell pepper and call it Chile Rellenos!) Followed the recipe as written, I was happy to have indulged my cravings for great Chile Rellanos and it was a HUGE hit with the family. Will be making this often -- Thank you!!

 

[mini_1]

I already reviewed this recipe, but thought I would post how excellent these are as left overs. I diced the remaining, since I had doubled it, melted butter, added the chopped up leftovers and heated them through, added wisked eggs and water (TBSP or so) then topped with remaining cheese I had in the fridge. excellent omelette!!!! I love recipe's with left overs!