Chiles Rellenos Gratin
Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Unlike traditional stuffed chiles, this dish is baked like a casserole. The chiles are smothered in a creamy, spicy white sauce and topped with a cheese-rich breadcrumb mixture that crisps as it cooks.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat broiler.
Step 2
Place chiles on a foil-lined baking sheet; broil 3 inches from heat 8 minutes or until blackened, turning after 4 minutes. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel and discard skins. Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile; discard seeds, leaving stems intact.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 350°.
Step 4
Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add bell pepper; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add corn, onions, nuts, and garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup cheese, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper.
Step 5
Place half of beans in a bowl; mash with a fork. Add mashed beans and whole beans to corn mixture. Spoon about 1/3 cup bean mixture into each chile; fold sides of chile over filling. Arrange stuffed chiles in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray; set aside.
Step 6
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat; add 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper, cumin, and nutmeg, and stir with a whisk. Cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Gradually add flour, and stir with a whisk; cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk. Stir with a whisk until blended.
Step 7
Increase heat to medium. Cook milk mixture 8 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and lime juice. Pour milk mixture over stuffed chiles.
Step 8
Combine remaining 1/4 cup cheese and breadcrumbs; sprinkle over milk mixture. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.
Step 9
Preheat broiler.
Step 10
Broil 1 minute or until top is golden brown.
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Lumpy52's Review
These are a favorite for us. The first time I made them I put all of the red pepper into the chilis; never made that mistake again. It is time consuming but worth it. I frequently make up extra stuffed peppers and freeze them for later. Once defrosted just add the sauce and bake.
KeyLimePie's Review
I could have made 2 meals in the time it took to make this dish. I love poblano peppers, so I was excited about it, but the reality was that it just wasn't a very good investment.
EllenDeller's Review
We loved this recipe. I make stuffed peppers and chiles all the time and have never had one quite this good. I followed the directions exactly except that I put the pine nuts on top right before broiling. I made the peppers around 10 pm Wed. night when I was too tired to do anything else, then after work Thurs. whipped up the sauce (with 1/2 as much cornstarch instead of flour--much quicker that way) and baked them. Served with a simple rice cooked in chicken stock and the CL jicama-carrot slaw.
lacook's Review
this was so bland. i thought by the ingredients it would be delicious - it certainly looked nice. but i guess they ask you to add all that salt at the end (which i won't do - that was way too much salt) because without it the dish tastes like mush. i won't make it again but i bet it would taste much better with feta rather than that bland mexican queso fresca.
CAgirlinIA's Review