Chiles Rellenos

I have been making Chiles Rellenos for about 30 years. I have never had an actual recipe. I just watch someone I knew (from Texas) make them and have been making this way ever since.

Yield:

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

1. Chile Rellenos
2. ===============
3. 1 or 2 cans whole chili peppers (usually 3 or 4 in a can)(or roast fresh poblano peppers)
4. Monterey jack cheese
5. 2 or 3 eggs separated
6. 1 tablespoon flour
7. salt and pepper
8. oil for frying
9. .
10. Tomato Chile Sauce:
11. ==============
12. 1 1/2 pounds of tomatoes roasted or one 28 ounce can of quality tomatoes
13. 2 to 3 hot jalapeno peppers
14. 1/2 small onion
15. 1 large clove of garlic
16. 1 tablespoon lard or olive oil
17. salt
18. 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Cut cheese into finger size pieces.
2. Carefully shove the cheese stick into a pepper being careful not to split it.
3. Heat about 1 inch of oil in frying pan.
4. Beat the egg whites until medium stiff peaks form. do not overbeat.
5. Beat egg yolks with salt, pepper and the tablespoon on flour.
6. Gently fold the whites into the yolk mixture.
7. Dip the pepper stuffed with cheese into flour and then into the egg mixture. Carefully add to the oil. If needed, spoon a bit of the egg mixture on top of the pepper while in the pan. (these fry quickly), flip over and fry other side. Remove and drain on paper towels. Continue cooking until all of the peppers are cooked.
8. To make the sauce, place the tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic in blender and pulse. Puree leaving a little texture.
9. Heat oil in sauce pan. Add tomato chili mixture and simmer until the sauce thickens. About 5 minutes. Remove from heat and seaon with salt and add the cilantro.
10. Serve Chili Relleno with sauce on the side OR Place the fried chile rellenos in a casserole dish and pour the sauce over them. Bake in a 350 oven for 20 to 30 minutes.