**Chiles Rellenos Not Fried: A Healthier Take on a Classic Mexican Dish**
Chiles rellenos is a classic Mexican dish that is typically made with poblano peppers that are stuffed with a mixture of cheese, meat, and vegetables, then battered and fried. This traditional recipe is delicious, but it can also be very high in calories and fat. Our article offers three healthier versions of chiles rellenos that are not fried, making them a better choice for those who are watching their weight or who simply want to eat a healthier version of this classic dish. The first recipe is for a baked version of chiles rellenos, which uses a light coating of bread crumbs and a flavorful tomato sauce. The second recipe is for a vegetarian version of chiles rellenos, which is made with roasted poblano peppers and a filling of black beans, corn, and zucchini. The third recipe is for a stuffed poblano pepper soup, which is a hearty and flavorful way to enjoy this classic dish. So, if you're looking for a healthier way to enjoy chiles rellenos, give one of these recipes a try!
CHILE RELLENOS BETTER THAN FRIED
Steps:
- Roast Peppers. We roast ours on the charcoal grill. They can also be roasted on gas grill. Or buy canned Whole Chillies.
- To Roast your own peppers. Place the peppers on the grill or turn a gas burner to medium high heat. Place the Chile directly on the grill or the burner and roast. Turning with tongs.
- Once they are blackened on all sides. Place the Chilies into a small brown paper bag or place in a container with a lid. The Chilies will steam. Leave them in the brown paper bag or container for about 15 minutes.
- Hold the pepper under running water. The blacked outer layer will come right off. Then cut off the tops and remove the seeds and veins. The seeds can be rinsed out with running water.
- Preheat over to 375 degrees. Stuff each pepper with one (1) ounce of Monterey Jack Cheese. See Notes for other cheeses.
- Place peppers in caserole dish
- Beat eggs
- Mix together milk and eggs. Stir the flour, cumin, salt and black pepper into the milk and eggs
- Pour milk and egg mixture into the flour, cumin, salt and black pepper mixture
- Wisk together. Mixture does not have to be smooth
- Pour mixture over the chilies
- Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top
- OPTIONAL: For Spice - Sprinkle Cayenne pepper on top
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted
- Serve with your favorite mexican side dish
Nutrition Facts : Calories 272 kcal, Carbohydrate 13 g, Protein 16 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Cholesterol 127 mg, Sodium 877 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ROASTED CHILES RELLENOS WITH BLACK BEANS
A healthy, vegan adaptable, Roasted Chile Relleno Recipe - that is lightened up with the addition of black beans. Simplified by roasting (instead of frying) the peppers with the Salsa Ranchero Sauce ingredients - all baked together on one sheet-pan - saving a step!
Provided by Sylvia Fountaine
Categories Main - GF & Vegan Adaptable
Time 1h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- READ DIRECTIONS ALL THE WAY THROUGH
- Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange them on the sheet pan. Add the sliced onions to the sheet pan, along with the whole garlic cloves, halved jalapeños and whole poblano peppers, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to use two sheet pans. (You can also char the peppers on a gas burner, see notes) Drizzle all with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place on the middle rack and check after 15 minutes. (If your oven runs hot, you could turn it down to 425 if needed.) If the peppers are tender remove them (pasilla peppers will cook much faster than poblanos- please see notes) and check the garlic, removing it if tender. Otherwise, continue roasting with the tomatoes and onions for another 15-20 minutes until the peppers and onions are tender and tomatoes are juicy.
- Mix the canned beans (drained, rinsed) with the cheese. OR If going vegan, mix the beans with 1 cup of vegan herbed tofu ricotta. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. If using plain black beans, add a teaspoon of cumin and chili powder.
- When the poblanos are just tender, take the sheet pan out of the oven (leave the oven on) and let it cool.
- Take ⅓ of the onions, chop them up, and add them to the bean filling mixture and stir.
- Place the remaining onions into a blender along with the tomatoes, pan juices, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, coriander, chili powder, oregano, salt, tomato paste and fresh cilantro, adding a little water (or broth if needed) to thin it out, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Carefully cut a slit in the poblano peppers from stem to pointy end and using your fingers, gently remove seeds while rinsing them under cold running water. If the thin skins slip off, let them, but don't worry about actively peeling them, especially poblanos - their skins are quite thin -leaving some of the skin on is perfectly fine. Pasillo peppers have thick skin and should be peeled.
- In a large greased baking dish (or oven-proof skillet) pour a little of the roasted tomato ranchero sauce to coat the bottom (use about half the sauce). Place the peppers over top of the sauce, slit side up, then spoon the black bean filling into each one. Pour the rest of the flavorful ranchero sauce over top. At this point, you could add more shredded cheese to the top, or leave it off.
- Cover with foil and bake 20-25 minutes in a 425F oven- or until the filling is warm and melty, uncover and bake 5 more minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro leaves, toasted pumpkin seeds and sour cream if you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 302 calories, Sugar 7.9 g, Sodium 890 mg, Fat 11.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, TransFat 0.3 g, Carbohydrate 37.9 g, Fiber 14.2 g, Protein 16.6 g, Cholesterol 24.5 mg
STUFFED POBLANO CHILES ("CHILES RELLENOS")
Provided by Marcela Valladolid
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Sauce: Put the tomatoes, garlic and onion in a blender. Blend until smooth. In a medium saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Chile rellenos: Mix the cheese and oregano in a small bowl. Cut a slit through 1 side of the charred chiles and fill each chile with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Close with toothpicks to hold the filling in place. In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Add the egg yolk and continue to beat for about 1 minute.
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.) Dredge the filled chiles in flour until fully covered. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the chiles into the egg mixture, until well coated. Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
- Arrange the chiles on a serving platter, spoon the sauce on top and serve.
REAL CHILES RELLENOS
Just like your favorite Mexican restaurant! This unique, flavorful sauce and light, crispy batter will make it worth the little effort and time to prepare this cheesy classic at home. The steps are easy, and you can find Mexican oregano and comino in the Mexican spice section of any grocery store. Stuff and freeze the peppers in advance to save time!
Provided by *Fat~Dog~Lane*
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 2h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and place the peppers onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Cook under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, 8 to 10 minutes per side. When the peppers are about 80 percent blackened, place them a plastic bag, seal, and allow the peppers to steam as they cool, about 20 minutes. Once cool, remove the skins and discard. Cut a slit lengthwise into the side of each pepper, and remove seeds and veins. To reduce spiciness, rinse out any remaining seeds with water. Pat the peppers dry with paper towels.
- Mix together the shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar cheese in a bowl until thoroughly blended. Divide the cheese into 4 portions, and squeeze each portion lightly in your hands to make a cone shape. Insert a cone into the slit in each pepper, and pin the openings closed with toothpicks. Dredge each pepper in flour, dust off the excess, and place on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. Place the peppers in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- To make sauce, blend the stewed tomatoes in a blender until pureed, and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cook and stir for about 30 seconds, and pour in the pureed tomatoes, chicken broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, black pepper, hot pepper sauce, and cinnamon. Reduce to medium-low, and simmer the sauce until reduced by half and thickened, about 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Preheat an oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C), and warm a platter in the oven.
- To make batter and finish the chiles rellenos, mix 1/3 cup flour with salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until the whites form stiff peaks. Lightly mix the egg yolk and flour-salt mixture into the egg whites to make a fluffy batter. Remove peppers from freezer and coat them in flour again; shake off excess flour, and dip each pepper into the egg batter, using a spoon to gently but completely coat each pepper with batter.
- Heat frying oil in a heavy cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Gently lay the coated peppers into the hot oil, and fry on both sides until the batter is golden brown and the cheese filling is hot, about 5 minutes per side. Remove peppers to warmed platter while you finish frying. To serve, ladle a generous spoonful of sauce onto plate, and place pepper on sauce. Serve peppers hot with a dollop of sour cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.7 calories, Carbohydrate 34.3 g, Cholesterol 91.1 mg, Fat 23.1 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 21.3 g, SaturatedFat 9.3 g, Sodium 1239.5 mg, Sugar 6.9 g
CHILES RELLENOS (STUFFED PEPPERS)
This is a great traditional Mexican dish. It takes a little bit of time, but it is worth every minute! Provecho! Serve with a side of Spanish Rice.
Provided by ADRIANSALAS
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place whole peppers over an open flame (gas burner) or under the broiler. Roast, turning frequently until evenly black and blistered. Remove from heat, place in a plastic bag, and let them sweat for a while. This will allow the skins to peel of easily.
- While the peppers are sweating, place the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring to crumble, until evenly browned. When beef is fully cooked, add the onion, garlic and tomato, and cook for a few more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Remove the peppers from the bag, and peel off the burnt skin. You may wish to wear protective gloves. Run peppers under cool running water to rinse away any burnt pieces. Make a small vertical slit in the side of the peppers, and remove the seeds and veins. Stuff each pepper halfway with the ground beef mixture, then fill the rest of the way with shredded cheese. Close the slits, and secure with toothpicks.
- Whip egg whites in a large glass or metal bowl until thick and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, and whip for a minute to blend in.
- Meanwhile, heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the stuffed peppers with a light dusting of flour, then dip them in the egg so they are fully covered. Carefully place in the hot oil, and fry on both sides until golden. Drain on paper towels, then serve on a large platter.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 808.1 calories, Carbohydrate 19.7 g, Cholesterol 194.8 mg, Fat 70.6 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 25.4 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 270.2 mg, Sugar 3.7 g
SIMPLE NO-FRY CHILES RELLENOS
This is so quick and easy it's scary! My husband loves these so I know they're good. Great to make up and put in the frig, then when you get home from work, just pop in the oven. Sorry... just taking a guess on the prep & cook times.
Provided by Yogi8
Categories Mexican
Time 35m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Split chilies down one side.
- Fill each with some cheese and reshape the chilies.
- Put in baking pan sprayed with cooking spray and top with cheddar, then salsa.
- Bake at 350 till hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210.2, Fat 16.1, SaturatedFat 10.2, Cholesterol 51.2, Sodium 292.5, Carbohydrate 6.6, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 3, Protein 11
CHILES RELLENOS
Who can resist cheese-stuffed poblano peppers that are battered and fried until golden brown, and served with a savory tomato sauce scented with cinnamon and coriander? Instead of the fluffy egg batter that's typically used in Mexico, we made a simple beer batter to create a crispy finish.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- To prepare the chiles:
- Position a rack on the upper most shelf of the broiler element and preheat. Put the chiles on a foil-lined broiler pan and broil, turning occasionally with tongs, until the skin is charred, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chiles to a bowl, cover, and cool for 10 minutes.
- Carefully rub the charred skin off the chiles. Using a small knife, make a lengthwise slit along the side of each chile to form a pocket. Carefully cut out and discard the seeds.
- Cut the cheese into 6 (1/4-inch-thick) slabs, about 3/4 the length of each chile (your chiles probably vary in length, so tailor the cheese to the chiles). Slip the cheese pieces into the pocket of each chile so they're 2/3 full. (If the cheese protrudes from the chiles, just cut a little off.) "Sew" each chile shut with a wooden skewer or long toothpick. (The skewers should be longer than the chiles, so they can be easily pulled out after frying.)
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the beer to a make a smooth batter.
- In a large, wide, heavy-bottomed pot, pour in the oil to a depth of about 3 inches. Heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 365 degrees F.
- Put the flour for dredging on a plate. Working in 2 batches, dredge the chiles in the flour (the dampness of the chiles creates a light paste with the flour that seals over any tears), dip in the batter, and carefully add to the oil. Fry, turning the chiles once, until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes per batch. Using tongs, transfer the chiles rellenos to a dry paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Sprinkle with salt, to taste. Gently pull out and discard the skewers.
- Heat the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce on a plate and set 1 chile relleno on top. Repeat with the remaining sauce and chiles. Serve.
- In a blender, combine all the ingredients and puree until smooth.
- Transfer the tomato puree to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until slightly thick, about 10 minutes.
- Yield: about 3 cups
CHILES RELLENOS, NOT FRIED
This dish starts out as classic chili rellenos, with fresh poblano chiles, roasted, peeled and stuffed. However, instead of frying the chilies, they are nestled into a bed of rice, a sauce is poured over; and they are baked. This is a good make-ahead dish, to assemble the evening before, and then just bake it 25 minutes before you are ready to serve it. A note about the Mexican Manchego cheese: it's not the same as the expensive Spanish Manchego. Mexican Manchego is an inexpensive cheese available in supermarkets and is a good melting cheese, if it's not available, jack cheese is a good substitute.
Provided by lynnski LA
Categories Rice
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 rellenos, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Saute the onion until translucent, add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add corn, salt and pepper, and saute about 2 minutes.
- Place in a bowl and cool.
- Stir in the Mexican Manchego cheese and set aside.
- Slit the roasted and peeled poblano chiles lengthwise, remove the seeds and veins; leave the stems and tops intact.
- Stuff the chiles with the corn mixture.
- Arrance the rice in a shallow buttered casserole.
- Nestle the stuffed chiles into the rice, in a single layer.
- Mix together the crema and red salsa and pour overall.
- Sprinkle with anejo cheese and place in the oven.
- Bake for 25 minutes and serve hot.
NO-FUSS CHILES RELLENOS SKILLET
Hello, new favorite weeknight dish! This skillet-quick chiles rellenos requires only four ingredients and very little cleanup.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Mix first 2 ingredients until blended; shape into log. Cut into 6 pieces.
- Stuff chiles with cheese mixture; bring cut sides of chiles together to enclose filling.
- Add 1-1/2 cups salsa to large skillet; top with chiles, filled sides up. Drizzle with remaining salsa; cover. Cook on medium heat 8 to 10 min. or heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Sodium 920 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 9 g
Tips:
- To make the perfect chile relleno batter, use a combination of egg whites and egg yolks. The egg whites will give the batter a light and fluffy texture, while the egg yolks will add richness and flavor.
- Be sure to whip the egg whites until they are stiff peaks before folding them into the batter. This will help to incorporate air into the batter, making it light and airy.
- When frying the chiles, be sure to use a deep fryer or a large pot with plenty of oil. This will help to ensure that the chiles are evenly cooked.
- To prevent the chiles from sticking to the pan, dredge them in flour before frying. You can also spray the pan with cooking spray.
- Cook the chiles until they are golden brown and crispy. This will take about 2-3 minutes per side.
- To make the sauce, simply combine your favorite salsa with some sour cream. You can also add other ingredients, such as chopped cilantro, diced onions, or shredded cheese.
- Serve the chiles rellenos immediately with your favorite sauce.
Conclusion:
Chiles rellenos are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or for a special occasion dinner. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make chiles rellenos at home. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
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