Baked Chiles Relienos with Tomato Ancho Sauce

Baked Chiles Relienos with Tomato Ancho Sauce

4 medium to large poblano chile peppers
1/2 T. olive oil
2 T. onion, chopped
1/2 C. canned black beans, drained
1/2 C. cooked rice
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
Salt to taste
4 ounces cubed Monterey Jack cheese, divided
2 T. fresh cilantro, finely chopped

For the sauce:
2 medium to large ancho chiles
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/4 C. water
Salt to taste

Roast poblanos under a broiler or over a gas flame until blackened on all sides and shriveled. Place peppers in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap, allowing peppers to steam for 20 minutes. Carefully remove skin, seeds and membranes from peppers, reaching the inside by making a slit halfway down the side of each pepper. Meanwhile, soak anchos in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain. Remove stems, seeds and membranes from anchos before cutting into small pieces. Add to a blender along with tomato sauce, water and salt and blend until smooth. Reserve ancho mixture. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add onions. Sauté until translucent, 5-7 minutes. Mash black beans lightly with the back of a fork and add to the skillet along with rice, oregano and salt. Stir and cook until mixture is heated through. Heat oven to 350°. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and place poblanos in a row in the pan. Using a tsp., carefully fill the peppers with the black bean and rice mixture, adding a few cubes of cheese into the center of the filling in each pepper. Close the slit in each pepper by securing with a toothpick. Top the peppers with the ancho sauce and bake for 25 minutes. Top peppers with the remaining cubes of cheese (you can use shredded cheese here if you like) and bake a few minutes more, until cheese is melted. Top with cilantro and serve.

Yield: 4 appetizer sized servings
Calories: 213
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 4g

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