BAKED CHILES RELLENOS

Baked Chiles Rellenos image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken
1 white onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 3/4 pounds plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 dried bay leaves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup green olives, chopped
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus small sprigs for serving
1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped mint
1/2 cup slivered almonds
Coarse salt
12 fresh poblano chiles
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high until almost smoking. Add chicken; cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomatoes and bay leaves, and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until tomatoes are soft, 15 minutes.
Stir in raisins, olives, and capers; cook 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook 5 minutes. Stir in chopped herbs and almonds, and season with salt. Let cool. (Filling may be refrigerated up to 1 day in an airtight container. Before using, bring to room temperature; discard bay leaves.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roast poblanos directly over the flame of a gas-stove burner or under a broiler, turning often with tongs, until charred on all sides. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand for 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, rub with a paper towel to remove skins, being careful not to tear the flesh. Cut a slit down the side of each poblano from stem to tip. Remove seeds, leaving stem intact.
Spoon filling into each chile, dividing evenly; arrange in a baking dish. Bake until heated through, 15 minutes. Serve immediately with crema, cilantro sprigs, and lime wedges.