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Chile rellenos in a black cast iron skillet.

Chiles Rellenos Stuffed with Mexican Queso

Course: Mexican
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 575kcal
Author: Kris Longwell
Chili Rellenos Stuffed with Mexican Queso is a Mexican classic. It is pure Mexican comfort food at its best. Stuff with a soft Mexican cheese such as Asadero or Chihuahua, or good ole Monterey Jack. The chili can be roasted and stuffed and chilled a day ahead, as well as the sauce. An instant-read thermometer helps to ensure the oil reaches 350 F perfectly...otherwise, test with a pinch of bread. Once sizzles quickly, it's ready. Enjoy!
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Ingredients

FOR THE SAUCE

  • 1 ½ lbs fresh ripe tomatoes chopped, or 1 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock, or water
  • ¼ cup chopped white onion
  • 2 large garlic cloves rough chop
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano*
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoon corn oil
  • *available in most supermarkets specialty food stores, or Mexican markets. Regular oregano can be used in, too.

FOR THE CHILES

  • 4 large fresh poblano chilis about 1 lb
  • ½ lb Asadero Chihuahua or Monterey Jack cheese, coarsely grated
  • 4 large eggs separated
  • 1 & ¼ cup all-purpose flour divided
  • 2 to 3 cups corn oil or vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

MAKE THE SAUCE

  • Puree all sauce ingredients except oil with 1 ¼ teaspoons salt in a blender until smooth, then strain through a mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids, then discarding them.
  • Heat oil in a deep heavy large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
  • Carefully pour in sauce and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. (Sauce will still be thin).
  • Taste, and season with pepper, and more salt, if desired.
  • Set aside, but keep warm over low heat.

ROAST, STUFF AND FRY THE CHILES

  • Roast chilis on their sides over a gas flame over medium heat, turning with tongs, until skins are blistered and slightly charred, 4 - 6 minutes. (Or, broil on a rack about 2 inches from heat).
  • Transfer to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap, let stand for 20 minutes. (This can be done ahead of time).
  • Carefully rub off skins from chilies, leaving stems attached.
  • Cut a slit lengthwise in each chile using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
  • Carefully cut out the ribs and the seedpod. Clean out all seeds with a wet paper towel, if necessary (Leaving the seeds will make the peppers more hot).
  • Stuff chilies with cheese and enclose filling by overlapping slit slightly, then transfer to a plate. (All this can be done the day before).
  • Heat ½-inch of oil in another large heavy skillet over medium heat until it registers 350° F on a thermometer.
  • While oil heats, beat egg whites with ½ teaspoon salt, using an electric mixer until they just hold stiff peaks.
  • Whisk in the yolks, two at a time, just until incorporated.  Next, whisk in ¼ cup flour.  
  • Spread 1 cup of flour onto a plate. Generously dust chilies with the flour, coating all sides. Gently shake off excess flour. 
  • When oil is ready, dip chilies, 1 at a time into egg batter, spooning it over chile to cover completely.
  • Fry the chilis, turning once, until golden on all sides (Lap oil over any lighter areas, 4 to 5 minutes).
  • Transfer chilies with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. At this point, you can heat your oven to 300°F, place the chilies on a baking rack and then bake for 15 minutes. This will keep the chees nice an melty, crisp up the exterior, and render out a little more excess grease. Remove from oven.
  • Meanwhile, re-heat sauce.
  • Ladle sauce onto plates and place a chili on top of sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 575kcal