Stuffed Poblanos

The other day our neighbors gave us some poblano chiles from from their garden...so I went to google to look for a stuffed pepper recipe.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the peppers before I stuffed and cooked them.  They were SO perfect looking...and smelled SO good!!

Anyway, I found this recipe at fine cooking and very lightly adapted it.  The original recipe called for sharp cheddar cheese and no cayenne.  My husband likes things hot, so I added the cayenne.  I also had some Monterrey Jack/Provolone cheese mixture left from making pizza, so that is what I used and I'm telling you.....SO GOOD!!  We LOVED this recipe!!  Next year we will definitely be adding poblano chilies to our garden!! 

Stuffed Poblanos

Ingredients:

4 large poblano chilies

2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 tsp. dried oregano, crumbled
1 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne (optional...depending on how hot you like it)
Generous pinch ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 cups shredded cooked chicken, preferably dark meat
1-1/2 cups cooked brown or white rice
2 cups grated Monterrey Jack/Provolone cheese mix (about 7 oz.)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (including some tender stems)
1 Tbs. lime juice 

Directions: Position an oven rack about 4 inches from the broiler and heat the broiler on high. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.

Slit the chiles from stem to tip and set on the baking sheet. Broil, turning every few minutes, until blackened all over, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool slightly, peel off the skins, and cut out the seed cores, leaving the stems on. Turn the chiles inside out, flick out any remaining seeds, and turn right side out. Return the poblanos to the baking sheet.

Purée the tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a food processor. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the purée and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated and the mixture looks thick and pulpy, 8 to 11 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the chicken and rice, and then 1 cup of the cheese, the cilantro, and the lime juice. Season to taste with salt. Divide the filling among the peppers, wrapping the sides of the peppers up and around the filling, some of which will still be exposed.

Broil the peppers until the cheese is melting and the top is beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Top with the remaining 1 cup cheese and broil until the cheese is completely melted, about 2 minutes.