Chilies en Nogada | Mexican Stuffed Chili Poblano in Walnut Sauce

Chilies en Nogada is a dish from Mexican Cuisine, made from milder variety of Chilies known as Chili Poblano. The Chilies are stuffed with filling made from meat and fruits and walnut sauce is poured on top. Therefore, the term Nogada comes from Nogal which in Spanish means Walnut Tree.  This dish has a historical significance and is made in and around the day of Mexican Independence, 16th September, which is right around the corner and that is when Pomegranates appear in the markets of Central Mexico. Significantly, it uses the three colours of Mexican Flag; Red, White and Green.

Traditionally, Chilies en Nogada is from the State of Puebla. During our three year stay in Mexico we visited Puebla many times and our friends introduced us to this delicious delicacy on our trip to Tepotzotlan. We fell in love with its flavour so much that I decided to learn how to cook this before returning to my homeland. Thanks to youtube, google and my friends in Mexico who guided me to perfect this recipe. On one occasions I invited a Mexican friend for dinner and served Chilies en Nogada. She was so surprised and happy that it tasted just the way they serve in restaurants. Today, I share this recipe with you as a tribute to my Son’s Country: Mexico on its day of Independence. Viva Mexico!

Directions:

1. Wash and pat dry Chili Poblano and peel its skin. Learn How to roast and peel Chili Poblano. Make a slit in length from the side till the bottom and gently remove all the seeds. Keep aside.

2. Soak walnuts in milk for overnight or at least 3 to 4 hours to make a smooth paste.

3. Peel the skin of Pear, Apple and Banana and chop them in cubes. Keep aside.

4. In a skillet add some oil and saute some onions till they become translucent.

5. Add ground or finely chopped meat. Traditionally they use pork and beef but I used lamb. Cook it till it gets some colour.

6. Add chopped tomatoes, banana, apple and pear.

7. When the meat and fruits are cooked add raisins and ground almonds. You can also add candied pineapples. I did not have any so I skipped.

8. Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, salt, sugar and ground black pepper. Cook till the mixture is coarse and appropriate for stuffing.

9. For the sauce add soaked walnuts in a blender along with milk, fresh cream, goat cheese and cream cheese. I added simply cream cheese. Also add sugar and pinch of white pepper. Run it together to make a very fine sauce.

10. Stuff the Poblano Chilies with Stuffing using a spoon and place them in a serving plate.

11. Pour on top the walnut sauce to cover the chilies and sprinkle some parsley leaves along with pomegranate seeds.

Serve at room temperature.

You can even try other dishes from Mexican Cuisine like Guacamole, Sopa de Frijol-Red Kidney Bean Soup, Huevos en Cazuela-Casserole Eggs.

 [whohit]ChilesEnNogada[/whohit]

Chilies en Nogada | Mexican Stuffed Chili Polano in Walnut Sauce

2014-09-04 12:15:46

Serves 3

A traditional Mexican dish with stuffed Poblano chili in Walnut Sauce

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Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

1 hr

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

1 hr

The Chilies

1. 3 Medium size Chili Poblano, firm and fresh. No other Chilies can be used for this dish, use only Poblano Chili.

See also  Pan De Muerto | Mexican Traditional Bread of the Dead for Dia De Muerto

For the filling

1. 250 g Ground meat. I used Lamb. You can even use Beef, pork or Turkey.
2. Salt, to taste
3. 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
4. 1/2 medium Onion,Chopped
5. 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
6. 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
7. 1 Cup diced Tomatoes, about 2-3 medium sized
8. Handful Raisins
9. 8-9 Almonds, ground coarsely
10. 1 medium sized Apple, peeled, cored and chopped
11. 1 Pear, peeled, cored and chopped
12. 1 Banana or plantain, peeled and chopped
13. 1 tsp Sugar
14. 1/4 Cup Candied Pineapple (optional)

For the Sauce

1. 1 cup Walnut halves, shelled
2. 1 cup Milk
3. 3/4 cup Fresh Cream
4. 100 g Cream Cheese, at room temperature. I used Philadelphia
5. 100 g Goat Cheese. I skipped as I dint have any.
6. Pinch of white pepper powder
7. 3/4 tbsp sugar

For Garnish

1. 1/4 Cup Pomegranate Seeds
2. Few sprigs of Fresh Parsley, leaves roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Wash and pat dry Chili Poblano and peel its skin.
2. Soak walnuts in milk for overnight or at least 3 to 4 hours to make a smooth paste.
3. Peel the skin of Pear, Apple and Banana and chop them in cubes. Keep aside.
4. In a skillet add some oil and saute some onions till they become translucent.
5. Add ground or finely chopped meat. Traditionally they use pork and beef but I used lamb. Cook it till it gets some colour.
6. Add chopped tomatoes, banana, apple and pear.
7. When the meat and fruits are cooked add raisins and ground almonds. You can also add candied pineapples. I did not have any so I skipped.
8. Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, salt, sugar and ground black pepper. Cook till the mixture is coarse and appropriate for stuffing.
9. For the sauce add soaked walnuts in a blender along with milk, fresh cream, goat cheese and cream cheese. I added simply cream cheese. Also add sugar and pinch of white pepper. Run it together to make a very fine sauce.
10. Stuff the Poblano Chilies with Stuffing using a spoon and place them in a serving plate.
11. Pour on top the walnut sauce to cover the chilies and sprinkle some parsley leaves along with pomegranate seeds.
12. Serve at room temperature.

See also  Kathal ki Sabji | Jackfruit in Indian Spices

Notes

1. It is important to remove the skin of Chili Poblano because it is very thick and difficult for the body to digest the skin.
2. Traditionally it is made with Pork and Beef. You can use Lamb or turkey.
3. Authentically plantain or ripe bananas are used instead of regular banana for they are more sweet. I used normal banana.

By Anshu Pande

Adapted from World's Premier Culinary College

Adapted from World's Premier Culinary College

The Secret Ingredient https://www.thesecretingredient.in/