QUESO STUFFED POBLANOS

Queso Stuffed Poblanos image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
half of a red onion, chopped (reserve a small amount for the mushrooms later)
a big handful of cilantro
1 jalapeño pepper (remove the seeds and ribs if you want it mild)
1 cup water
1½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter
8 ounces fresh mushrooms
8 ounces fresh spinach
6 poblano peppers
1 cup uncooked white rice
1½ cups shredded queso melt cheese (just about any kind of cheese will work)
2-3 tablespoons flaxmeal (optional)

Steps:

For the sauce: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a food processor or blender, puree the sauce ingredients until mostly smooth. Set aside.
For the filling: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the reserved red onions and mushrooms; saute until browned and softened. Add the spinach; saute until just wilted. Add the rice and stir around in the pan to coat. Add 2 cups of the sauce from step one, stir, and simmer over medium low heat. Continue to simmer, adding a little water if necessary, until the rice is cooked (about 20 minutes). Stir in one cup of the cheese. If the mixture seems too runny, add a few tablespoons of the flax meal to act as a binder that will soak up excess moisture and hold everything together nicely. Taste and season with salt if needed.
For the peppers: Cut the poblanos in half lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds. Top each half with a few spoonfuls of filling and a pinch of the remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the poblanos are softened and the cheese is melted.