Savor the classic flavors of Chile Relleno, a delectable dish with a heartwarming mix of roasted peppers and melted cheese, enveloped in a light, crispy batter. Its harmonious blend of savory cheese with the mild, sweet heat of poblano peppers, perfectly fried, offers a taste that’s both comforting and exhilarating.
Chile Relleno Recipe
Ingredients
- Chiles: 4 poblano peppers (or use New Mexican peppers, Hatch peppers, Anaheim peppers, or others)
- Cheese: 6 ounces shredded cheese (choose a melting cheese like Mexican Chihuahua, white cheddar, Monterrey jack; use 1.5 ounces or so per pepper, depending on size)
- Eggs: 2 large eggs, separated (for the batter)
- Flour: 1/2 cup flour (or more as needed for coating the stuffed peppers before battering)
- Salt: A pinch of salt (or more to taste)
- Oil: Oil for frying (vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or another neutral oil)
Instructions
- Roast the Chili Peppers: Roast the peppers over an open flame or under your oven broiler until skins are blackened on each side. Over flame, it should only take about 5 minutes; under the broiler, it could take 10 or more minutes. Once blackened, transfer the peppers to a plastic bag and seal to let them cool. Once cooled, peel off the blackened skins.
- Prepare for Frying: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot at medium-high heat to 375°F. Avoid letting the oil boil. If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil with a tiny drop of flour; it should sizzle immediately.
Batter the Peppers:
- Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl until they form stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.
- Gently stir the egg yolks into the beaten whites to form your batter.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and a bit of salt. Dip the stuffed chile peppers into the flour to coat them, then dip them into the egg batter, ensuring they’re completely coated. The flour helps the batter stick better to the peppers.
Frying:
- Fry the battered peppers until golden brown on each side. Avoid overcrowding the pot to keep them from sticking together.
- Serving: Serve the chiles rellenos with your favorite salsa or sauce.
Tips and Options
- You can choose different peppers and vary your choices of stuffing to customize the recipe to your liking.
- For those interested in a less traditional take, consider adding meat or a combination of cheeses to the stuffing.
Enjoy your homemade Chile Rellenos!
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