More Mexico!

Another great Mexican item LOTS of people think has to be loaded with cheese... the chile relleno (stuffed chile).

Get poblanos, or New Mexico peppers. In a pinch, you could do bell peppers (even red)...

Char the livin daylights out of the peppers over a gas burner (use tongs! Those babies get warm!), on a bbq grill, under a broiler... Char the entire pepper, 1-2 per serving, and put in a pot with a lid to sweat.

When cool enough to handle, the skins will slip off with a knife (like scaling a fish) and NOTHING smells like roasting peppers!!!

Of course peppers at this stage are ready for many recipes, the most simple being simply cut in strips (removing seeds and stem) and drizzle with olive oil, lime juice and a little salt/pepper.

Anyhow, with your whole roasted chiles, make a slit in one side and using a small sharp knife cut out the seeds at the stem end, leaving the chile intact. Takes a liittle practice!!

Set prepared chiles aside--they are ready to fill with any good thing!

Cold: Stuff with a good tuna or other seafood salad made with yogurt, green olives, green onion, chopped almonds, cilantro... whatever you like. These keep beautifully in the fridge til you have done them in! Great in summer.

Hot: Stuff with any vegetable mixture (like corn, green onion, black olive or whatever). You can add some grated cheese (I like a pepper jack) to this, or not... stuff in the peppers and eat cold or, for hot traditional rellenos,

(A veggie/rice mix is also nice.
Add seafood or other meat if you like.)

Separate about 4 eggs for 6 peppers. Beat whites stiff, beat yolks til thick, and fold together with a little salt and pepper. Dredge your peppers in the eggs and lay reverently in a fry pan with a small amount of your favorite oil, heated just before smoking temp. Lower heat to medium and fry til brown on one side, then carefully turn with a big spatula (fork assistance if required), and cook the other side.

Serve with your favorite fresh homemade salsa, homemade fat free refries, and get rave reviews!!

These are great microwaved just til heated, and make a wonderful burrito tucked into a fresh whole grain tortilla!

Provecho!
Somer