Grilled Chiles Rellenos Stuffed with Queso Oaxaca, Mushrooms, and Sweet Potato
This chile pepper is often mislabeled ‘Pasilla’, which is a different pepper entirely.It is one of the most popular chiles in Mexico and has won the appreciation of many a chef worldwide because of the superior flavor it has over regular bell peppers.
They have a tough outer skin that usually requires roasting and peeling before use. These very large chile peppers are most popular in chiles rellenos recipes, but cooking with these as a substitute for bell peppers in any recipe will enhance the flavor.
Ingredients:
8 large poblano chiles
Kosher salt
12 ounces queso Oaxaca , chilled
Juice of 1 lime
2 large sweet potatoes (about 14 ounces total), cooked, peeled, and mashed
1 1/2 teaspoons achiote paste, crumbled
Zest of 1 lime
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small white onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup mirin or dry white wine
1/4 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
Instructions:
Serves 8.
Cut a 3-inch slit down one side of each poblano to allow for stuffing. Remove the veins and most of the seeds. Lightly salt the insides and set aside on a baking sheet.
Coarsely shred the cheese into a medium bowl and drizzle the lime juice over it. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt, rub the salt into the cheese, then toss to combine.
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato, achiote paste, and lime zest. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the onion, and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and mushrooms and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. Add the mirin and cook until the mushrooms are soft and the liquid has been absorbed, about another 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (450°F), with areas for both direct and indirect grilling. Lightly oil the grill grates.
Using a spoon, smear the inside walls of each poblano with about ¼ cup of the sweet potato mixture. Follow with a handful of the seasoned queso Oaxaca, then top the cheese with a generous spoonful of the mushroom mixture. Place on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil.
Place the chiles over direct heat on the grill. Cover and grill, turning occasionally, until the skins are blistered and slightly charred, about 5 minutes. Move to indirect heat and continue cooking until the cheese is hot and melted, about 5 more minutes.
Alternatively, roast the chiles in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve.
From projectfoodie.com