Ancho Chiles With Seafood Filling Recipes

SAUTEED SHRIMP WITH ANCHO CHILES AND GARLIC

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook the garlic slices until tender but not brown. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels and reserve. Turn the heat under the pan to high. Quickly toss the shrimp with the salt and pepper in a bowl. When the oil is nearly smoking, add the shrimp. Saute, stirring and shaking the pan to prevent sticking, 3 to 4 minutes or just until the shrimp are still slightly undercooked. Remove from the heat. With a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a platter, leaving as much liquid in the pan as possible. Return the pan to the burner and reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic slices and anchos and saute, stirring frequently, until the oil begins to turn orange from the chiles. Stir in the fish stock or clam juice, along with the shrimp and any juice that has collected on the platter. Add the lime juice and parsley, bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over white rice.

ANCHO-CUMIN CHICKEN TACO FILLING

Steps:

• PULSE the chicken chunks in a food processor about 6-8 times briefly to chop chicken into small pieces, *being careful not to overprocess*.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cumin powder, chili powder and salt.
• Place the chopped chicken into the bowl and toss with spices to combine well.
• Heat the coconut oil over medium-­high heat until it shimmers.
• Add chicken in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, about one minute. Stir chicken and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, about five minutes or so, stirring often and breaking up any large chunks with your spoon.
• To serve, spoon chicken mixture onto freshly made tortillas and top with the sides of your choice.
• Note: I made tostadas using a masa mix and we enjoyed our tostadas with the garnishes listed above except I didn't have time to make tomatillo salsa. The menu: tostadas were served with freshly cooked whole black beans (very lightly seasoned with S/P), and fresh strawberries.

ANCHO CHILE RELLENO

Steps:

• Purée tomatoes, onion, and garlic with water and 3/4 tsp salt in a blender until smooth. Strain through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add tomato mixture (it will spatter) and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly and a pool of oil forms around bubbles, about 20 minutes. Stir in enough of boiling-hot water to reach the consistency of a thin broth. Season with salt. Keep warm over low heat.
• While sauce simmers, slit 1 side of each chile lengthwise and remove seeds and veins, keeping chiles intact. Fill each chile first with about 3 Tbsp packed Oaxaca cheese and then with about 2 Tbsp queso añejo and close chiles around filling as well as possible.
• Put flour in a wide bowl and carefully dredge chiles in flour (make sure filling doesn't fall out), gently knocking off excess, and reserve on a plate.
• Heat remaining cup oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they just hold soft peaks. Beat yolks briefly to loosen, then fold into whites with a rubber spatula gently but thoroughly.
• Working in batches of 3, dip floured chiles, one by one, in egg batter to coat, transferring to skillet. Fry chiles, turning once with a slotted spoon, until batter is golden all over, about 1 minute. Transfer chiles as fried to warm tomato broth, turning to coat, then let stand 2 minutes so they absorb some of broth. Serve chiles with broth.
• Note: Look for chiles that are soft and pliable enough not to need soaking.
• Chiles can be stuffed and coated with flour 1 day ahead and chilled.
• Tomato broth can be made 1 day ahead and chilled (covered once cool). Bring to a bare simmer before frying chiles.

SAUTEED SHRIMP IN ANCHO CHILI SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel the shrimp. Rinse them, and place them in iced water with the coarse salt. Soak for an hour.
• Place the chilies in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak for an hour.
• Remove the chilies from the water (reserving it) and take away the seeds and stems. Tear into large strips and place the chilies in a blender. Add the lemon or lime juice and enough of the soaking liquid to make a smooth puree. Set aside.
• Rinse the shrimp under cold water.
• Heat the oil in a skillet and add the garlic and shallots. Cook until soft.
• Add the shrimp and cook for one minute, then add one-and-a-half tablespoons ancho puree. Cook, stirring for a couple of minutes (beware of overcooking the shrimp). Taste and stir in more puree according to your taste. Season with salt and pepper and add the coriander. Serve immediately.

GRILLED ANCHO SHRIMP FILLING

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp. Place in a small bowl with ancho-chile powder, cayenne, and oil, and stir until well coated.
• Cover; chill 30 minutes. Heat a grill or broiler. Salt shrimp, and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through.

ANCHO CHILES WITH SEAFOOD FILLING

Steps:

• Soften chilies in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain. Slit down center and discard seeds. Drain again. Combine chilies with next 5 ingredients (vinegar - 1/4 teaspoon salt). Let stand 2 hours at room temperature. Drain.
• Heat oil in a skillet over low heat. Add minced white onion and white part of green onion, cover and cook for 10 minutes or until translucent. Add remaining ingredients except for pepper, green onion tops and salt and cook for 3 minutes or until shrimp is pink. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients (pepper, green onion tops and salt). Cool to room temperature.
• Spoon filling into chilies and arrange on a platter. Serve at room temperature.