Baked Chiles Relleños in Salsa Roja
A cheesy, delicious Mexican classic just got a whole lot easier.
Ingredients
For the chiles relleños:
- 4 large poblano peppers
- 8 ounces (225g) shredded Jack cheese
For the salsa roja*:
- 4 medium fresh tomatoes halved
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper
- 1 clove garlic (skin left on)
- 1 small onion halved
- Kosher salt
*Or, for a shortcut, use 2 cups (475mL) tomato sauce plus 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
- Preheat your oven to broil. Remove the stem and seeds of each pepper by carefully cutting away the stem at the top using a paring knife.Shake any remaining seeds left, and discard. Place the prepared peppers on a foil-lined sheet pan.
Step 2
- Roast the peppers under the broiler (alternatively, do this over your grill) for 2-3 minutes per side, turning as needed with tongs, until the skin of each pepper has blackened.Once the peppers are fully roasted, place them in a bowl with a lid, or in a Ziplock bag, for about 15 minutes. The steam created will allow you to more easily remove the skins.
Step 3
- Next, prepare the salsa roja (skip this step if you are taking the shortcut noted above). Place the salsa roja vegetables on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil, turning as needed until blackened in spots, removing as they are ready.Remove the vegetables from the oven, and allow to cool. Place the tomatoes in a sieve over your sink and squeeze with tongs, encouraging them to release their liquid. Remove and discard the skins of the jalapeño, tomato, and garlic. If you prefer a mild sauce, remove and discard the seeds of the jalapeño.Add the vegetables to a food processor, and pulse until combined. Season to taste with salt.
Step 4
- Turn your oven down to 350ºF (175ºC). Coat a small casserole dish with a few spoonfuls of sauce (this will prevent the peppers from sticking).Remove and discard the skin from each poblano, stuff with cheese.
Step 5
- Cover the chiles with sauce. Top the peppers with the remaining cheese, and bake for 20-30 minutes or until cheese has melted. Garnish with green onions if desired.
