Stuffed Chilies With Cactus Recipes

CHILES RELLENOS (STUFFED PEPPERS)

Steps:

• Place whole peppers over an open flame (gas burner) or under the broiler. Roast, turning frequently until evenly black and blistered. Remove from heat, place in a plastic bag, and let them sweat for a while. This will allow the skins to peel of easily.
• While the peppers are sweating, place the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring to crumble, until evenly browned. When beef is fully cooked, add the onion, garlic and tomato, and cook for a few more minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the peppers from the bag, and peel off the burnt skin. You may wish to wear protective gloves. Run peppers under cool running water to rinse away any burnt pieces. Make a small vertical slit in the side of the peppers, and remove the seeds and veins. Stuff each pepper halfway with the ground beef mixture, then fill the rest of the way with shredded cheese. Close the slits, and secure with toothpicks.
• Whip egg whites in a large glass or metal bowl until thick and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, and whip for a minute to blend in.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the stuffed peppers with a light dusting of flour, then dip them in the egg so they are fully covered. Carefully place in the hot oil, and fry on both sides until golden. Drain on paper towels, then serve on a large platter.

STUFFED POBLANO CHILES ("CHILES RELLENOS")

Steps:

• Sauce: Put the tomatoes, garlic and onion in a blender. Blend until smooth. In a medium saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Chile rellenos: Mix the cheese and oregano in a small bowl. Cut a slit through 1 side of the charred chiles and fill each chile with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Close with toothpicks to hold the filling in place. In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Add the egg yolk and continue to beat for about 1 minute.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.) Dredge the filled chiles in flour until fully covered. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the chiles into the egg mixture, until well coated. Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
• Arrange the chiles on a serving platter, spoon the sauce on top and serve.

SHRIMP-STUFFED CHILES

Steps:

• Pour enough vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet to come 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Add the chiles and fry, turning frequently, until golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and set aside.
• In a separate pan, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and saute until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the bell peppers and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Season the filling with salt and pepper.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile and carefully scoop out the seeds, leaving the stem intact. (For milder heat, carefully cut out the ribs.) Divide the shrimp filling among the chiles, then close, overlapping the sides of each opening slightly.
• On a shallow serving platter, toss the cucumber, sliced onions, soy sauce and lime juice and spread out on the platter. Arrange the chiles, seam-side up, on top of the salad and serve.

SLOW COOKER CACTUS CHILI

Steps:

• Combine ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until beef is browned, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer beef and onion to a slow cooker. Stir in diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, nopales, tomato paste, chili powder, sugar, chipotle pepper, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Cook on Low until flavors combine, about 4 hours.

CHILES EN NOGADA (MEXICAN STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS IN WALNUT SAUCE)

Steps:

• Roast poblano chiles over an open flame on a gas stove or grill until the skin is black and charred on all sides, turning often, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place the charred chiles in a plastic bag or in a large bowl covered with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then open and peel off the skin. Cut a slit in each chile lengthwise and remove the seeds.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add ground pork and cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon while cooking, about 7 minutes. Mix in tomatoes, plantain, apple, peach, parsley, candied orange peel, pine nuts, raisins, almonds, cloves, salt, and pepper. Simmer until filling is cooked through and flavors are well combined, about 10 minutes.
• Combine walnuts, milk, goat cheese, sugar, and cinnamon stick in a blender; blend until walnut sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Fill each poblano chile with the pork filling and place on a plate. Spoon walnut sauce over chile and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and parsley.

CHILI-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place peppers directly over a gas flame (or under the broiler); cook, turning occasionally, until charred, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let steam about 15 minutes. Rub off charred skins. Cut 1/2 inch off top of each pepper; remove ribs and seeds.
• In a bowl, stir together chili, rice, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together tomato sauce, chicken broth, and harissa; pour into an 8-inch baking dish.
• Nestle peppers in dish; divide chili mixture among cavities. Drizzle with oil. Cover with parchment-lined foil; bake until sauce bubbles, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Toss parsley with lemon juice and 1 teaspoon oil. Sprinkle some of the parsley mixture on peppers; serve the rest as a salad.

CHILI-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. Place peppers in a large kettle and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside. , In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the beans, tomatoes, chili powder, salt if desired, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. , Spoon meat mixture into peppers; place in an ungreased 3-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese.

STUFFED CHA-CHA CRAB CHILIES

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• For the sauce: Place tomatillos, onions, and garlic in a large heavy skillet. Heat over medium-high heat, turning often, until charred all over but still firm, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a food processor and add cumin, cayenne, hot sauce, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Process to a coarse puree. Return mixture to skillet and keep warm while preparing the stuffed chilies.
• For the chilies: Place poblanos on a baking sheet and broil, turning a few times until all sides are charred. Place in a paper bag and seal. Let steam about 10 minutes to loosen the skin.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, Monterey Jack and crabmeat. Set aside.
• Peel poblanos, then cut a slit lengthwise down 1 side only, and carefully remove seeds. Stuff each with cheese mixture and place them cut side up on a baking sheet, gently pressing to seal. Broil until cheese is melted and poblanos are heated through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to serving plates and spoon sauce around the stuffed chilies.

TORTILLAS WITH CACTUS AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Season nopales with adobo seasoning. Fold seasoned nopales, Cheddar cheese, and cilantro inside tortillas.
• Place filled tortillas in a medium skillet over medium low heat, and warm until cheese is melted.

HUARACHES - STUFFED PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS PADDLES - STUFFED NOPALE

Steps:

• Place the whole cactus paddles, onion and garlic in a large pot with water to cover and salt to taste.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes, or until the nopales are tender but still firm.
• Drain and rinse.
• Starting at the wide, curved end, carefully slice each paddle horizontally, as if butterflying a chop for stuffing.
• Do not cut all the way through to the narrow end (the thicker part where the pad is attached to the main plant) but leave approximately 1 1/2" uncut.
• Place a slice of cheese between the two sections and press flat.
• Dredge the paddles in flour.
• Beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks, and fold in the lightly beaten egg yolks.
• Pour enough oil into large skillet so that it comes up at least 1/2 inch.
• Heat the oil until sizzling hot.
• Dip the stuffed nopales in the egg batter to coat and fry in the hot oil until golden brown on each side.
• Serve immediately with red salsa.