Chiles Rellenos with Tomato-and-Avocado Salsa
Recipe from
Food & Wine
Jennifer Zavala's downfall in the first episode of Top Chef Season 6 was her insistence on using seitan (made from wheat gluten) for vegetarian chiles rellenos, but not in a way that improved the classic stuffed peppers. She also covered her clunky, overstuffed poblanos in a thick, unappealing crust. Instead, Gail Simmons fills poblanos with a traditional mix of cheese and jalapenos, then tops them with a bright, fresh salsa.

Servings:
6 first-course servings
Prep Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr
Ingredients
Chiles Rellenos
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6medium poblano peppers, (about 3 ounces each)see savings

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1 tablespoonvegetable oilsee savings

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1/2small onion, mincedsee savings

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1small garlic clove, mincedsee savings

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1small jalapeno, seeded and mincedsee savings

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6 ouncesMonterey Jack cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)see savings

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1/4 cupfreshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheesesee savings

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2 tablespoonschopped cilantrosee savings

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Saltsee savings

Salsa
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1 1/2 cupsgrape tomatoes, quarteredsee savings

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1Hass avocado, finely dicedsee savings

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1/4 cupfinely chopped onionsee savings

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2 tablespoonschopped cilantrosee savings

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1/2small jalapeno, seeded and mincedsee savings

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2 tablespoonsfreshly squeezed lime juicesee savings

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Salt and freshly ground peppersee savings

Directions
Make the Chiles Rellenos
Roast the poblanos directly over a gas flame or under a broiler, turning occasionally, until they are charred all over. Transfer the poblanos to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Peel the poblanos. Using a small, sharp knife, make a small lengthwise slit in each one, near the stem end. Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut out the core and seeds, then remove the core and seeds without tearing the poblanos or enlarging the opening.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Add the diced onion, garlic and jalapeno and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Let the vegetable mixture cool, then stir in the Monterey Jack, Parmigiano-Reggiano and chopped cilantro. Press the cheese filling into 6 logs.
Lightly season the insides of the poblanos with salt. Carefully stuff the cheese filling into the poblanos and press the poblanos closed. Place the stuffed poblanos on a baking sheet and roast in the upper third of the oven for about 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Meanwhile, Make the Salsa
In a bowl, combine the grape tomatoes with the diced avocado, onion, cilantro, jalapeno and lime juice and season the salsa with salt and pepper.
Transfer the chiles rellenos to plates, spoon the salsa on top and serve.
Make Ahead
The unbaked stuffed poblanos and the tomato-and-avocado salsa can be refrigerated separately overnight. Bring the chiles rellenos to room temperature before baking.
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...Making salsa is like playing jazz; there's an elemental structure to it, but otherwise it's all... about improvisation and creativity. Unlike jazz, though, mastering the art of making salsa doesn...'t require years of practice. As our handy step-by-step salsa tutorial demonstrates, it's largely a matter... read more...

