Eating for Pennies: Chili Relleno Casserole

Chile Relleno Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that captures the flavors of traditional chiles rellenos without the hassle of frying individual peppers. Here's a basic recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

8 large poblano peppers (canned is fine)

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 large eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

If you aren't using canned chilies right out of the can,  Roast the fresh poblanos: Place the poblano peppers on a baking sheet and broil them in the oven, turning occasionally until the skin is charred and blistered. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Transfer the roasted peppers to a plastic bag, seal it, and let them steam for about 10 minutes. After steaming, peel off the skins, remove the seeds, and slice the peppers into strips.

Layer the casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the poblano strips on the bottom. Sprinkle half of the Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese and half of the cheddar cheese over the peppers. Repeat with the remaining peppers and cheeses.

Prepare the batter: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Pour the batter evenly over the layered peppers and cheese.

Add tomatoes and cilantro: Sprinkle the drained diced tomatoes over the batter. If desired, add chopped cilantro for extra flavor.

Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with additional cilantro, onions, diced cucumber and avocado if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Chile Relleno Casserole! You can also customize the recipe by adding cooked ground beef or shredded chicken for a heartier version.