Justin Fields
Corp. Exec. Chef
Bonefish Grill + BBI International

Chile Rellenos Stuffed with California Queso Fresco and Elote

Recipe courtesy of Chef Justin Fields

Sponsor: California Milk Advisory Board

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Blistered Peppers:

• 4 ea. Poblano peppers
• As needed Flour

Queso Fresco Elote:

• 1 (10-oz) Real California Queso Fresco cheese, crumbled
• 4 ea. Ears of corn, husked and cut from the cob
• 3 Tbsp Tajín spice (Mexican chile-lime salt)
• ¼ cup Mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Real California sour cream
• 1 Tbsp Chopped cilantro

Batter:

• 6 Eggs, whites and yolks separated
• 2 Tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Kosher salt

Salsa Roja:

• 1 lb Tomatoes, chopped
• ½ ea. Small white onion, rough chopped
• 1 ea. Jalapeño pepper, rough chopped
• 1 clove Garlic, rough chopped
• 1 Tbsp Chopped cilantro
• ½ Lime, juiced
• 1 Tbsp Olive oil
• ¼ tsp Ground cumin
• To taste Salt

Crema:

• 7 ½ oz Real California Mexican crema (half a 15-oz bottle)
• ½ cup Rough chopped cilantro
• ½ Lime, juiced
• ½ tsp Kosher salt

For Service:

• As needed Vegetable oil

Directions

1. For the Blistered Peppers: Turn a broiler on low. Place the poblano peppers on a sheet pan. Set the pan 2 in away from the broiler and blister the pepper skins until they begin to darken, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Do not allow peppers to get black. Immediately place peppers into a zippered plastic bag and allow to steam at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Remove peppers from bag and remove and discard skins. Cut a slit in each pepper from stem end ¾ of the way down peppers. Remove seeds from peppers and discard. Put peppers to the side for stuffing.
3. For the Queso Fresco Elote: In a stainless-steel bowl, combine all the ingredients. Mix with a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate if making ahead.
4. For the Batter: Using a mixer with the whip attachment, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. Beat the egg yolks in a bowl with the flour and salt. Slowly fold egg yolks into stiff whites. Hold chilled.
5. For the Salsa Roja: Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth. Heat the oil in a sauce pot over medium heat. Place the tomato puree in the pot and bring to a boil while stirring. Add the cumin and salt to taste. Simmer the salsa for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a container and cool over an ice bath.
6. For the Crema: Place all the ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth and all ingredients are incorporated, approximately 1 minute. Transfer to squeeze bottle(s) and hold refrigerated.
7. To stuff peppers: Carefully stuff each pepper with ¼ of the elote mixture. Dust the outside of the stuffed peppers with flour, ensuring the seam is overlapped and pressed together. Place peppers on a paper-lined tray with the seams down and refrigerate for 15 minutes to 24 hours.
8. To fry peppers: Heat 1 in of oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Carefully coat the floured stuffed peppers with the batter on all sides. Place the battered peppers in the oil, seam-side down. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and fry another 2 to 3 minutes. The peppers should be golden brown once done. Place peppers on a paper-lined plate to drain.
9. For each serving: Place 1/3 cup of salsa in the center of a plate. Lay a chile relleno in the center of the sauce. Drizzle Crema over the chile in a zig zag pattern. Serve immediately.

Chef Notes

An open flame may be used to blister peppers in place of a broiler; do not burn the peppers.

Use a delicate hand when cleaning roasted peppers. Do not poke holes through the soft flesh.

Project Management: Summit F&B
Photography: Carlos Garcia // Food Styling: Peg Blackley & Bree Williams