It’s no surprise that when you walk down the streets of Southern California, you will find the best Mexican food in the Nation. Its just a fact. So when I heard that our #SundaySupper team was throwing a fiesta, I jumped on the jalapeno bandwagon! Today is Mexico’s Independence Day (Dia de Independecia) and Heather from GirliChef is hosting the fiesta grande!
I promised Joe I would make him his favorite Mexican dish ever…chile relleno. It’s rare I let the poor guy order it when we go out, so I thought a treat for this party would be fun. Of course I did my research and put several things together as well as my own twist. The boys that work in the kitchen at the restaurant Joe works at always whip up some Mexican grub and they happened to make some ranchero sauce. Joe brought home a sample and I tasted my way through its ingredients. It was deep red with a primary tomato base and had chunks of green pepper and onion. I knew where I was going with this.
Now I can’t offer you a Mexican classic without first embarrassing myself and showing you a picture of my first trip to Mexico. About 3 years ago Joe and I flew down to Cancun and visited Chichen Itza as well as I jumping onto my very first horse. His name was “Singer” and we galloped through the Mexican waters together.It was a moment I will never forget. Don’t laugh.
Method:
1) Make ranchero sauce first. In a large and deep skillet, saute onion, bell pepper and jalapeno in olive oil until it begins to break down. About 10 minutes.
2) Add garlic and spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes until garlic begins to brown.
3) Add tomatoes with its juice and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Then reduce and cover on a simmer while you prepare the chile. Remove bay leaf before serving.
*Note: I made this earlier in the day and saved it for dinner. I thought the consistency and flavors pulled together more during those few hours of “sitting”. So if you have the time to make this ahead, please do.
4) Make chile: Take the egg whites and using a stand mixer, whisk until stiff peaks form. Lightly whisk together the yolks in a separate bowl and fold in yolks with egg whites until light yellow. Set aside.
5) Place chiles on a foil lined baking sheet and roast in oven at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until all sides are blistered. Meanwhile, heat a large pan or cast iron with 1/2 inch canola or vegetable oil.
6) When chiles are done, remove and wrap with plastic wrap or place in plastic bag and remove outer charred skin. Use a small knife to cut an opening on one side of chile and discard seeds. Fill with crumbled queso fresco and secure with a toothpick.
6)Dredge the chile in flour and then in the egg mixture. Gently drop coated chile in heated oil and fry until all sides are golden brown. About 1-2 minutes per side.
*Note: I had some minor difficulty when I wanted to coat with the egg mixture. I quickly found out that this was due to the intense heat wave we’ve been having (try 100+) and because of that my egg mixture was quickly melting before my eyes. Make sure to evenly coat the pepper and if you need to use an extra spoon to coat, that will help too.
7) Serve chile atop of ranchero sauce and garnish with fresh cilantro and queso fresco.
Chile Relleno with Ranchero Sauce for #SundaySupper
Ingredients
Chile Relleno
- 4 pasilla chile
- 8 oz queso fresco plus more for garnish
- 1/2 c flour
- 4 eggs separated
- Canola oil for frying
Ranchero Sauce
- 1 32 oz can chopped tomatoes
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno diced (with or without seeds)
- 2-3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Make ranchero sauce first. In a large and deep skillet, saute onion, bell pepper and jalapeno in olive oil until it begins to break down. About 10 minutes.
- Add garlic and spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes until garlic begins to brown.
- Add tomatoes with its juice and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Then reduce and cover on a simmer while you prepare the chile. Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Make chile: Take the egg whites and using a stand mixer, whisk until stiff peaks form. Lightly whisk together the yolks in a separate bowl and fold in yolks with egg whites until light yellow. Set aside.
- Place chiles on a foil lined baking sheet and roast in oven at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until all sides are blistered. Meanwhile, heat a large pan or cast iron with 1/2 inch canola or vegetable oil.
- When chiles are done, remove and wrap with plastic wrap or place in plastic bag and remove outer charred skin. Use a small knife to cut an opening on one side of chile and discard seeds. Fill with crumbled queso fresco and secure with a toothpick.
- Dredge the chile in flour and then in the egg mixture. Gently drop coated chile in heated oil and fry until all sides are golden brown. About 1-2 minutes per side.
- Serve chile atop of ranchero sauce and garnish with fresh cilantro and queso fresco.
Looking for more Mexican recipe inspiration? Try my slow cooker chicken chili verde recipe!
Check out what everyone else made for the #SundaySupper fiesta!
Sopas (Soups), Ensaladas (Salads), and Entremeses (Starters)
- Chicken Tortilla Soup – The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Mexican Paint Soup – Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Jalapeño Popper Dip – Chocolate Moosey
- Vegan Tortilla Soup – Galactosemia in PDX
- Texas Caviar – Ruffles and Truffles
- Cheese-Stuffed Jalapeños w/ a Tequila Sunrise – Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Mexican 7 Layer Dip & Chips – The Daily Dish Recipes
- Tortilla Soup with Roasted Vegetables – Diabetic Foodie
- Mini Taco Salads – Big Bear’s Wife
La Comida (the food)
- Fiesta en tu Boca Enchiladas (Chicken & White Bean Enchiladas w/ Salsa Verde) – The Hand That Rocks the Ladle
- Gluten-Free Chicken Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas for #SundaySupper – Cooking Underwriter
- Mexican Fiesta for #SundaySupper: Chipotle Chicken & 3 Bean Quesadillas w/ Wasabi Guacamole and Mango Salsa – Chattering Kitchen
- Carnitas – My Catholic Kitchen
- Tamale Pie – Noshing with the Nolands
- Eggs Motuleños – The Meltaways
- Carne Asada – Magnolia Days
- Carnitas Avocado Pizza with Chipotle Avocado Mayonnaise Drizzle – Damn Delicious
- Frijoles Charros (Cowboy Beans) – La Cocina de Leslie
- Puerco Pibil – girlichef
- BLT Quesadillas with Avocado Mayo – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Chile Rellenos with Roasted Tomato Sauce – Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Tamales with Green Chili Sauce – Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Beef and Vegetable Enchiladas – Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Chicken Con Queso – Momma’s Meals
- Baked Flautas – Home Cooking Memories
- Chunky Aztec Chocolate Granola – What Smells So Good?
- Street Tacos Al Pastor – Sustainable Dad
- Shrimp Tacos – Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
- Chile Relleno with Ranchero Sauce – The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Zippy Chipotle Shrimp & Mango Tostadas – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pork Tacos – Tora’s Real Food
- Stuffed Sopapillas – Juanita’s Cocina
- Chicken Fajitas – Cravings of a Lunatic
- Blue Crab Tacos – Pescetarian Journal
- Huevos Rancheros – Comfy Cuisine
Postres (desserts)
- Chocolate Cinnamon Flan – Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Caramel Apple Enchiladas for a Mexican Fiesta #SundaySupper – In the Kitchen with KP
- Chilli Chocolate Truffles – Happy Baking Days
- Horchata Ice Cream & Churro Brownies – Kwistin’s Favorites
- Fried Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas – The Watering Mouth
Bebidas (beverages)
- Beer Margaritas – That Skinny Chick can bake
- Hatch Chile Margarita – Shockingly Delicious
- Skinny & Spicy Watermelon Margaritas – I Run for Wine
- Wine Pairings for a Mexican Fiesta #SundaySupper – ENOFYLZ
Heck yeah the best Mexican food is found in California! I miss it so much. I think the last time I had chilie relleno was 3 years ago when I last visited home. Now I am not only hungry for more Mexican food and am feeling slightly homesick.
Laura Hunter recently posted..Grilled Fish Tacos with Black Bean and Corn Salsa #SundaySupper
Never had these, sounds interesting!
Cindys Recipes recently posted..BLT Quesadilla with Avocado Mayo for #SundaySupper
These look so great and I can imagine the cheesy middle and the crispy outside. Yum!
Renee recently posted..Carne Asada for #SundaySupper
1 – I’m jealous that you got to go horseback riding in the water! It’s definitely on my list of things I want to do!
2 – these rellenos look delish!
Katie recently posted..Texas Caviar for #SundaySupper
Girl, are you sure you aren’t Mexican???
These are FAB-U-LOUS!!!
Jen @JuanitasCocina recently posted..Stuffed Sopapillas ~ Mexican Fiesta #SundaySupper
I never had a chile relleno but these sound amazing and easy! Have a great sunday!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen recently posted..Chocolate Cinnamon Flan #SundaySupper
I wish we had rode horse when we were there! Love this recipe too!
Angie @ Big Bear’s Wife recently posted..Mini Taco Salads #SundaySupper
This looks amazing!
Bea recently posted..Vegan Tortilla Soup for #SundaySupper
I have never had big chilies like this. They look so amazing I am going to have to make this!!
Awesome horseback riding photo! And I’m so grateful to be living in la with the best Mexican food! You and I need to go out and get some tacos (after we have lunch this weekend of course :). And this dish is absolutely amazing. You’ve really outdone yourself here!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Carnitas Avocado Pizza with Chipotle Avocado Mayonnaise Drizzle #SundaySupper
I think I’m losing my mind … I don’t see a horse photo here!
diabeticFoodie recently posted..Tortilla Soup with Roasted Vegetables for #SundaySupper
Really? There’s a pic of my on a horse! haha Its right before “Method”. Just checked and its there?
This sounds great! I can’t wait to try it!
My husband would love these. Chili relleno’s are one of his favorites!
I”m impressed you did a fabulous job!
Sheila Fretz (@CookUnderwriter) recently posted..#GluteFree Chicken Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas for #SundaySupper
These look great! The sneak peek at the filling just makes me want one right now!
Pam @ The Meltaways recently posted..Huevos Motulenos for a Mexican Fiesta #SundaySupper
I love this so much and the photo of you on horseback is fabulous. I’ve always wanted to ride on the beach.
Kim Bee recently posted..Chicken Fajitas for #SundaySupper Mexican Fiesta
These look sooooooooooooooooooo delish!
This looks amazing I love Chilli Rellenos
Oh my gosh, these look absolutely mouthwatering. I love chiles rellenos, but haven’t had them in far too long. Wish I could just reach in and grab one. Thanks so much for this amazing Fiesta addition!
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Puerco Pibil (or Cochinita Pibil) #SundaySupper
I love when recipes are inspired by a vacation! hey that may make for a really fun #SundaySupper. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love Chile Relleno’s! Thanks for sharing and your photos are amazing!
Megan recently posted..Skinny and Spicy Watermelon Margarita #SundaySupper Mexican Fiesta
What does Joe do at the restaurant? Is he a chef or a sommelier? I love the photo of you on the horse! how fun. We’ll be in Cancun for our wedding next fall. This will be my second time in Cancun. I loved visiting Chichen Itza too! We were there during the solstice and we got see the shadow moving like a snake. Love your dish!
Sarah recently posted..Mexican Paint Soup #SundaySupper
I’ve never been to Cancun so I won’t laugh (too much 😉 LOL Never had Chile Rellenos before either. Maybe I need to make these then go to Cancun!
Carla recently posted..Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Sam I’m not sure whether I like that sexy pic of your or the dish with the blue napkin better !! Both I think. Awesome dish and I am stealing that napkin. If it disappears , you know here it went 😉
You are so right about CA Mexican food! When we moved East from CA for a few years, it just wasn’t the same. I love chile rellenos…I admire anyone who makes them at home!
Brandie @ Home Cooking Memories recently posted..Gift Basket Giveaway: Holiday Cooking with VTech
I completely agree that So. California has the best Mexican food. We now live in Texas and if we want good Mexican food, we have to make it at home. We never had to before but Tex Mex is completely different and we don’t consider it authentic traditional Mexican food like Hubby’s mom made. As I write, hubby is preparing the rellenos. We use Monterey Jack and fill from the stem end (seeds and stem removed) With each Mexican family there are slight variations. We don’t shred our cheesse. Instead we cut thick sticks to stuff inside the pepper. We make tamales and carnitas, refried beans and many other delicious Mexican dishes. I make our own red enchilada sauce at home from scratch and hubby does not like any other. Spoiled? YES !! We live in a small town and there is only one Mexican restaurant that is marginally acceptable for us. If you live in Southern California, consider yourself blessed. I visited this site because I wanted to see how you made your red sauce. Thanks for posting real Mexican food!
You comment made my day! I LOVE that you make your own enchilada sauce..I still have yet to do that!I will try your suggestion with monterey jack next time I make it, which should be soon since I haven’t in quite a long time and I know my husband would like this for his birthday soon! Thank you so much for commenting and following my blog!
I too have had egg batter issues with it not sticking. To make the batter stick to the chile…first moisten the chile then dust with flour before coating in the egg batter. This has alway worked for me.
Great idea!! Thanks so much Robert!