Authentic Hatch Chile Rellenos

Served with Red Sauce, Mexican Rice & Refried Beans

✅ Servings

2–3 people (makes 6 rellenos)

🛒 Ingredients
For the Chiles

6 Hatch green chiles (or poblano peppers if unavailable)

225–300 g Oaxaca cheese (or mozzarella/Monterey Jack as substitute)

Toothpicks (to close peppers)

For the Batter

4 eggs, separated

2–3 tbsp all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

For the Red Sauce (Salsa Roja)

4 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped

½ white onion

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp Mexican oregano

½ tsp cumin

Salt to taste

1 cup chicken or veggie broth

1–2 tbsp oil for cooking

For Plating

Mexican rice (already cooked)

Refried beans

Queso fresco (for topping)

Oil for frying

🔥 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Chiles

Roast chiles over open flame or broil until skin is blistered/charred.

Place in a bowl and cover 10 minutes to steam (easier to peel).

Carefully peel skins — keep stems on.

Make a small slit down each chile.

Remove seeds but keep structural shape intact.

Stuff generously with cheese and close slit with toothpicks.

✅ This ensures the cheese stays inside like the photo.

2️⃣ Make the Batter (Classic Puffy Style)

Separate egg whites into a large bowl.

Beat whites until stiff peaks form.

Whisk yolks with salt, then gently fold into the whites.

Lightly dust stuffed chiles with flour — helps batter stick.

Dip each chile into egg batter, coating fully.

3️⃣ Fry for Golden Perfection

Heat neutral oil to 180°C (350°F).

Fry 2–3 minutes per side until fluffy and deep golden brown.

Place on paper towel to drain.

4️⃣ Salsa Roja (Red Sauce)

Blend tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin & oregano with broth.

Simmer in a pan ~10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Salt to taste.

✅ Should be smooth but still have small tomato chunks — like the image.

5️⃣ Plate Exactly Like the Photo

Spread a generous layer of salsa roja on plate.

Place two rellenos side-by-side, stems angled slightly up.

Spoon additional sauce over the top.

Add:

Scoop of Mexican rice (top-left of plate)

Scoop of refried beans topped with crumbled queso fresco

Sprinkle a bit more queso fresco over the rellenos.

📌 Final Look Target:

Golden-brown batter

Visible green chile edges

Bright red sauce covering base

Balanced tri-color plating

✅ Tips for Photo-Perfect Results
Detail How to Achieve It
Crispy coating Fry immediately after battering — don’t let sit
Colorful plating Use warm lighting and rustic plate if possible
Cheese interior Use large blocks, tightly stuffed
Red sauce texture Don’t over-blend tomatoes