buckwheatpaul posted chili relleno soup, that sounded really good, but it gave me the idea to do a casserole so here it is! I googled for the recipe, but tweaked it a bit as I went and it turned out awesome, definitely on the "hey let's make that one again!" list. Hint: The Queso Rayado cheese REALLY makes the flavors pop! It's salty and crazy delicious stuff! I got it because I didn't know if I had enough Monterrey Jack, the recipe called for 2 cups but that wasn't enough so I mixed in the Queso Rayado and to be honest, it stole the show!
Chili Relleno Casserole - Ingredients
• 6-8 large poblano peppers
• 3 cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 of a 14oz bag Queso Rayado granulated Mexican cheese
• 5 large (or 4 jumbo) eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• sour cream, Queso Fresco (Mexican crumbling cheese) and fresh chopped cilantro garnish for serving.
Instructions:
• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place peppers on the baking sheet and roast for about 10-15 minutes, using tongs to turn them occasionally, roasting until the skins are blackened and charred.
• Transfer the roasted peppers to a plastic bag for about 10 minutes, allowing them to steam as they cool. Once they are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin, cut off the stems, open them up and remove the seeds.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 3-quart baking dish with PAM
• Lay half of the roasted chiles in the baking dish in a single layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the jack cheese, half of the Queso Rayado and 1/2 cup of the cheddar on top. Repeat for the second layer.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin seeds, salt, and pepper, until thoroughly combined and no lumps of flour remain. Pour mixture evenly over the cheese and chiles.
• Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes until puffed up in the center and eggs are set and golden around the edges. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!