Chiles rellenos, Spanish for "stuffed peppers," are a classic recipe often found on Mexican restaurant menus. The filling usually consists of melty cheese (making them ideal for vegetarians or people abstaining from meat during Lent, for example), but actually can be almost anything. You can stuff your peppers with shredded seasoned chicken, beef picadillo, or refried beans, for example; they will all be delicious.
Serve chiles rellenos with white rice or Mexican rice, pot beans, or refried beans and tomato sauce.
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The Spruce / Cara Cormack
"This chiles rellenos recipe is delicious. It does take some time and effort between prepping the chiles, the batter, and frying, so keep that in mind. When stuffing the peppers, be SUPER careful. Since they are roasted and the skins are removed, they tear incredibly easy. I recommend using shredded queso blanco." —Victoria Heydt
Ingredients
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2 pounds green chiles (such as poblano)
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1 pound queso blanco
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1/4 cup all purpose flour, optional
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5 large large eggs (separated)
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1 pinch salt
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2 tbsp oil (plus more as needed)
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Roast the chiles on a hot grill or under a broiler on high heat. Use tongs to turn them occasionally, roasting until the skins are blackened and charred, about 20 minutes.
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When the skin of the peppers is sufficiently charred and blistered, remove from the heat, place in a bowl with plastic wrap, and let them cool to room temperature. Once cool, remove from bowl and peel the skin from the cooled chiles, rinsing your fingers if they become sticky. (Do not rinse the peppers themselves, as you will be washing away most of their flavor.) Be careful to not tear the chile while peeling it.
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Remove the seeds by making a small slice into the side of each chile, about 2 to 3 inches long, just big enough to get a spoon into. (Don’t hesitate to use an existing tear if there is one.) Delicately insert the spoon into the pepper and scrape the seeds and the white membrane out, trying as hard as you can to not tear the flesh, as it can tear easily.
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Place 2 ounces of cheese into each pepper; work slowly, delicately, and without forcing. Don't over-stuff the chile, making sure the open edges of the pepper still come together.
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Place the flour on a large plate. Put a chile on the flour and sprinkle the rest of the flour on top. Rub your finger around on the surface of the pepper to make sure that it is completely coated, then dust off any excess flour and set chile aside. Repeat this procedure with each of the peppers.
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To prepare the batter, whip the egg whites in a chilled bowl until they are stiff.
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Briefly beat the egg yolks in a separate bowl.
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Then slowly and gently fold them into the beaten whites with the pinch of salt.
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Heat the oil in a frying pan to 350 F. Test it with a drop of batter before putting a whole chile in; if the drop sizzles and floats to the top, it's the right temperature. If it sinks, the oil is not ready; let it heat a little more.
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Once the oil is hot enough, hold the chiles one at a time by the stem and support the bottom with your fingers or a spoon. Dip the stuffed pepper into the batter and coat completely.
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Carefully place it into the hot oil to fry. Repeat with more chiles if there is room in your pan (don't overcrowd the pan). Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, turning over halfway until the batter is a crisp golden brown on all sides. Fry in batches if necessary.
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Remove the chiles from the oil and let them drain on paper towels until all the peppers have been fried.
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Serve chiles rellenos immediately. Enjoy!
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Glass Bakeware Warning
Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.
Tips
- The task of making chiles rellenos may seem a little daunting at first, as this dish is somewhat labor intensive, but none of the steps is particularly difficult. Allow yourself a little extra time for your first attempt. On the next occasion, you'll know what to expect and your chiles will come together more easily.
- The step of flouring the stuffed chilies is optional, but it can help greatly if you are having difficulty getting the egg batter to stick.
What Is the Difference Between a Chile Relleno and Chile Poblano?
A chile poblano is a type of large, green, relatively mild chile pepper. Chile rellenos is a dish of stuffed, fried peppers often made using poblano peppers.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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594 | Calories |
41g | Fat |
25g | Carbs |
35g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 594 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 41g | 53% |
Saturated Fat 18g | 90% |
Cholesterol 312mg | 104% |
Sodium 936mg | 41% |
Total Carbohydrate 25g | 9% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 12% |
Total Sugars 14g | |
Protein 35g | |
Vitamin C 550mg | 2,750% |
Calcium 858mg | 66% |
Iron 4mg | 22% |
Potassium 1000mg | 21% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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