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Smoky Bacon Cheddar Chile Relleno

A variation of a cheese stuffed chile relleno using Anahiem peppers and a smoky cheddar cheese!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican-Style
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Freeze Peppers 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 large roasted Anaheim peppers or Hatch green chiles
  • 4 oz. smoky bacon cheddar or cheese of your choice
  • 1/2 cup flour salt and pepper
  • 2 eggs 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • spray oil, avocado or olive oil

Salsa

  • 4 large roma tomatoes chopped
  • 2 to 4 serranos chopped
  • 1/4 white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch of oregano
  • olive oil

Instructions

  • To roast peppers in the oven, set the top rack 10 to 12 inches from broiler. Turn on high. Place peppers on baking sheet and cook under broiler for 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning as needed to blister the skins. Place in plastic bag or glass bowl and cover to steam. Let steam and cool.
  • Carefully peel the blistered skins off of the roasted green chiles. Cut a T shape up near the base of the pepper and remove the seeds and membranes as best you can. Careful not to tear the pepper too much when removing the membranes. If they tear, the freezing step will help keep them from opening up while cooking. Cut the cheese to fit inside the peppers, but making sure they will close.
  • Set up breading station. It's best to use a shallow dish, such as a pie plate for breading. In one, add the flour, salt and pepper. In second dish, whisk eggs with hot sauce. In the third add the seasoned breadcrumbs. I actually used cornflake crumbs on this day.
  • Using both hands, dredge through flour, then into egg wash and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Use your hands to coat evenly. This is not my favorite job, but it's the only way. Transfer peppers to a plate and freeze for 1 hour. 
  • To cook peppers, you could shallow fry them in preheated avocado oil for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden and crispy. You could bake them on a sprayed sheet pan in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes. If you bake them, spray the tops of peppers with oil before baking to crisp up the tops. I baked them on this day.

Salsa

  • For salsa, add all ingredients, minus the oil to the blender. Add just enough water to help salsa blend easier. Blend until smooth. Pour into a skillet that has been preheated  at medium with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the salsa for 6 to 8 minutes, taste for salt and pepper. Add warm salsa to serving plate and top with chile relleno. Garnish with avocado, onion and cilantro. Yields 4 servings.

Notes

Look for peppers that are heavy and flatter for easier roasting and peppers that won't tear easily