Chiles Rellenos

Foto: ® Sonora Turismo.

Chiles rellenos are made of Chile Poblano (Ancho) or Anaheim chiles, with skins removed, dipped in batter, stuffed with cheese or meat and covered with lightly spiced red sauce. Blistering fresh chiles is one of the tricks of Mexican food cooking.

Tips for filling Chiles Rellenos: Fillings can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, then brought to room temperature before stuffing chiles. Fillings should be at room temperature or slightly chilled. If fillings are hot, the juices will flow out and cause the coating to slide off.
Use enough filling to stuff each chile relleno as completely as possible, but not so much that the seam won't hold together.

Ingredients:
6 Ancho, Pasilla or Anaheim Chiles, or 27 oz. can Mild Whole Green Chiles
1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Flour
6 Raw eggs (separated)
1/2 cup Flour
2 cups Homestyle Mexican Salsa
1 cup Corn oil

Instructions:
Rinse the chiles; preheat your oven to broil. Place the chiles in a 9 x 14 baking dish and place on the top shelf of your oven; watch and listen closely. When the skins start to make popping sounds and to char and turn black in places, take the chiles out and flip them over. When both sides are fairly evenly charred, remove them from the oven. Wrap each chile in a moist paper towel or place in a sealed plastic bag to steam. After a few minutes, check them. Once the skin comes off easily, peel each chile.

Cut a slit almost the full length of each chile. Make a small "t" across the top, by the stem. Pull out fibers and seeds (this is where the heat is) and replace with a slice of cheese. You can set these aside, for a few minutes or a few hours if you put them in the refrigerator.

Whip the egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks have formed. Heat the oil in a skillet until a drop of water sizzles when dropped into the pan. Beat the egg yolks with one tablespoon flour and salt. Mix the yolks into egg whites and stir until you have a thick paste. Roll the chiles in 1/4 cup flour and dip each one in the egg batter. Coat evenly. Fry, seam side down on both sides until golden brown, then place on paper towels to drain. Meanwhile, heat the salsa in a medium saucepan. Place one or two chiles on each plate and pour salsa over them. Serve them immediately and brace yourself for major compliments!

Enjoy this delicious chiles rellenos Mexican recipe!