Over the summer Dallas and I made Chilles Rellenos Gratin with poblano peppers that I got fresh from the farmers market. It’s not a traditional chiles rellenos recipe, but we both really enjoyed it. Much tastier than these photos look. Next time I’d probably do a little less breadcrumbs, but otherwise… delicious as made below.

Chiles Rellenos Gratin

Ingredients
8 poblano chiles
Cooking spray
1 c. finely chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 c. fresh corn kernels
1/2 c. chopped green onions
2 Tbsp. pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 c. (3 oz.) crumbled queso fresco, divided
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp. salt, divided
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper, divided
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and divided
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 c. 2% reduced-fat milk
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 c. dry breadcrumbs

Directions
Preheat broiler.

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.

Preheat oven to 350°.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Combine remaining 1/4 cup cheese and breadcrumbs; sprinkle over milk mixture. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.

Preheat broiler.

Broil 1 minute or until top is golden brown.

[Read more →]