Vetted Recipes

Best Recipe for Pork Chops with Chiles Rellenos and Ancho Sauce

Ingredients

  • 6 large fresh poblano chiles,* stemmed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 12 ounces unpeeled Yukon Gold potatoes or baby Dutch potatoes, cut into 1/3-inch cubes (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 1 1/4 cups coarsely grated sharp white cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano plus oregano leaves for garnish
  • 1 cup low-salt chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 5 teaspoons ancho chile powder,** divided
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon Italian double-concentrated tomato paste***
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
  • 6 1-inch-thick pork loin chops on bone, frenched
  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. Char chiles over gas flame or in broiler until blackened all over. Place chiles in bowl; cover tightly with plastic wrap and let steam 15 minutes. Peel, leaving stem intact (do not tear flesh of chiles). Using small sharp knife, cut 1 long slit down side of each chile; carefully remove seeds. Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly darkened and aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Set chiles and cumin aside.
  2. Line rimless baking sheet with foil. Cook potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Transfer potatoes to medium bowl; cool. Add cheese, chopped oregano, and toasted cumin; stir to distribute evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Carefully fill chiles with potato mixture, about 1/3 to 1/2 cup filling for each. Working with 1 chile at a time, hold in palm and squeeze gently to compress lightly. Place stuffed chiles on prepared sheet.
  3. Combine broth, juice, 2 teaspoons chile powder, and next 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened and reduced to 2/3 cup, 8 to 9 minutes. DO AHEAD: Chiles and sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill separately. Let chiles return to room temperature before continuing.
  4. Mix 3 teaspoons chile powder and 1 tablespoon coarse salt in small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over pork chops; let stand at room temperature up to 2 hours.
  5. Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Brush pork with oil. Place pork chops on 1 side of grill. Transfer chiles on foil to opposite side of grill. Grill pork chops until just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side; transfer to plate and let rest 10 minutes. Grill chiles until cheese melts, about 15 minutes.
  6. Rewarm sauce. Place 1 pork chop and 1 chile on each plate. Drizzle sauce over, sprinkle with oregano leaves, and serve.
  7. Often called pasillas; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores, farmers' markets, and Latin markets. ** Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets. *** Available in tubes at some supermarkets and at Italian markets.
  8. Often called pasillas; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores, farmers' markets, and Latin markets.
  9. ** Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets.
  10. *** Available in tubes at some supermarkets and at Italian markets.

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