Chiles en Nogada (Puebla)
Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

filling
2 pounds�ground pork
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon�ground canela
1 teaspoon�ground allspice, toasted
1/4 teaspoon�ground cloves
2 cups�water
1 �onion, cut in quarters
3 �bay leaves
2 �cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 �onion, chopped
2 tablespoons�butter
8 �roasted plum tomatoes, pur�ed and strained
1 �apple, peeled and finely chopped
2 �firm bananas, chopped or 1 �ripe plantain, chopped
1/4 cup�candied cactus fruit, finely chopped or 1/4 cup�raisins, finely chopped
1 tablespoon�sugar
1/2 cup�pine nuts, lightly toasted or 1/2 cup�slivered almonds, lightly toasted

sauce
2 cups�shelled walnuts, lightly toasted
1/2 cup�cream cheese or 1/2 cup�unsweetened mascarpone
1 �slice bread, soaked in 1/4 cup milk
1/8 cup�semi-dry sherry or 1/8 cup�apple juice*
1 tablespoon�sugar
salt to taste
cream

chile rellenos
16  small chiles poblanos, roasted, peeled and carefully seeded or 8  large chiles poblanos, roasted, peeled and carefully seeded.

Directions

For the filling, season the meat with salt, pepper, canela, allspice, and clove; add water, quarted onion, bay leaves, and garlic; simmer until tender; then strain. Remove the onion, bay leaves, and garlic.

Seat (don't brown) the chopped onion in butter in a separate pan until transparent; add the tomato and heat through; then add the fruit and sugar. Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer for another 2 minutes, incorporate the meat and pine nuts or almonds into the mixture, and simmer for another few minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

For the sauce, blend the walnuts in a food processor with the cream cheese, bread, sherry, sugar, and salt. Gently warm (do not boil). If the walnut sauce is too thick, add a little cream.

Stuff the chiles with the filling and heat through in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Place the chiles in a serving dish and cover them with the walnut sauce. Decorate with pomegranate seeds and parsley or cilantro.

Chef Suggestions

If using apple juice then omit sugar from the recipe.

Ease of preparation: moderate

Preparation time: 15 min

Cook time: 30 min

Servings: 8