Ancho chiles stuffed with cheese
Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth: Season One: Cocinar Mexicano
Serves6
- Active time:1 1/4 HR
- Start to finish:1 1/4 HR
November 2009
Watch a preview of this Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth episode and view its accompanying recipes. Plus, explore all episodes and more recipes from the show.
- 2 lbs tomatoes, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped white onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup cold water
- 1¼ cups corn oil, divided
- 2 cups boiling-hot water
- 6 large (5- by 3-inch) dried ancho chiles (see cooks note, below), wiped clean
- 6 oz Oaxaca string cheese or mozzarella string cheese, shredded by hand into strings (1 1/4 cup packed)
- 4 oz queso añejo or ricotta salata, finely grated (1 cup)
- 5 large eggs, separated
Purée tomatoes, onion, and garlic with water and 3/4 tsp salt in a blender until smooth. Strain through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids.
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Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add tomato mixture (it will spatter) and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly and a pool of oil forms around bubbles, about 20 minutes. Stir in enough of boiling-hot water to reach the consistency of a thin broth. Season with salt. Keep warm over low heat.
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While sauce simmers, slit 1 side of each chile lengthwise and remove seeds and veins, keeping chiles intact. Fill each chile first with about 3 Tbsp packed Oaxaca cheese and then with about 2 Tbsp queso añejo and close chiles around filling as well as possible.
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Put flour in a wide bowl and carefully dredge chiles in flour (make sure filling doesn't fall out), gently knocking off excess, and reserve on a plate.
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Heat remaining cup oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
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Meanwhile, beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they just hold soft peaks. Beat yolks briefly to loosen, then fold into whites with a rubber spatula gently but thoroughly.
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Working in batches of 3, dip floured chiles, one by one, in egg batter to coat, transferring to skillet. Fry chiles, turning once with a slotted spoon, until batter is golden all over, about 1 minute. Transfer chiles as fried to warm tomato broth, turning to coat, then let stand 2 minutes so they absorb some of broth. Serve chiles with broth.
Cooks' Note: Look for chiles that are soft and pliable enough not to need soaking.
Chiles can be stuffed and coated with flour 1 day ahead and chilled.
Tomato broth can be made 1 day ahead and chilled (covered once cool). Bring to a bare simmer before frying chiles.
Chiles can be stuffed and coated with flour 1 day ahead and chilled.
Tomato broth can be made 1 day ahead and chilled (covered once cool). Bring to a bare simmer before frying chiles.
- Keywords
- adventures with ruth,
- Cocinar Mexicano,
- Mexico,
- ancho,
- chiles
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The third season of Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie travels the world to serve a feast of culinary trends, exotic ingredients, and food-obsessed personalities. We’ll explore the unspoiled waters around Tasmania, the culinary traditions of Istanbul during Islam’s holiest month, and more.
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