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Mexico’s favorite chile relleno, Chiles en Nogado, has its roots in Cinco de Mayo, but can be enjoyed any time of year. It is a festival or special type of dish that is beautiful to behold.

The Chiles en Nogada were created as a special celebratory dish in that the colors of red, white and green, the colors of the Mexican flag were used. The traditional dish has triple flavors of fruit and meat in the filling.

I simplified the recipe so that home cooks without hours and hours of time for preparation could prepare it. Following, I am sharing my favorite version of the recipe, simplified. By the way, we make this in our week long full participation cooking classes.

CHILES EN NOGADA (Stuffed Chiles with Walnut Sauce)

This special dish was created to celebrate the defeat of the French, hence the traditional Mexican flag colors of red in the pomegranate seeds, white in the walnut sauce and green in the chiles.

For the Stuffing:
1 pound 92% lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1 apple, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A few grinds freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Chiles:
8 medium chiles poblanos, parched, chilled and peeled
1/2 cup flour (if making batter)

For the Batter (optional):
5 eggs separated
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons flour
3 quarts vegetable oil

For the Sauce:
1 cup English walnuts, soaked in cold water overnight
1/2 cup slivered, skinless almonds
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
6 ounces cream cheese
2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons dry sherry 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Garnish Seeds from 1 large, or 2 medium pomegranates and 1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

1.The night before, soak the walnuts in cold water. They have more flavor this way. If you do not do this, simmering one hour in water in a covered pan will remove some of the brown bitter skin, but soaking ahead is better.

2. Prepare the stuffing by frying the crumbled ground beef in a shallow, large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and cook and stir until the onion is clear. Add the remaining ingredients and sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently until mixture thickens, about 20 to 30 minutes.

3.Meanwhile parch the chiles, by first rinsing, then piercing a small hole for team to escape a place on foil on broiler pan or grill on top of the range or over. When uniformly blistered and somewhat blackened, remove to ice water and allow to cool. When cool, drain and peel, stuff with the stuffing. If using a batter, dry thoroughly by blotting between paper or cloth towels, then roll in flour and set aside.

4.To prepare the sauce, remove the skin from the soaked walnuts by vigorously stirring, draining, then rubbing them in a cloth towel until the skins come off. Place the heavy cream and milk in a blender jar, add the remaining ingredients and process until a thick sauce results. Set aside.

5.If frying, heat one-half inch oil to medium high heat, about 375F. Prepare the batter, if using, for the chiles by separating the eggs. Softly beat the whites, then beat the yolks with a fork or simple whisk, then scatter the flour over the yolks and mix together and slowly temper in a bit of the softly beaten eggs whites, beating after each addition. Beat the remaining egg whites to stiff peaks. Then fold the whites into the yolk mixture, making certain to keep the air in the meringue. Dip each stuffed chile into the batter, and carefully lower into the hot oil. Carefully turn to lightly brown each side.

6. Serve with the walnut sauce and garnish with pomegranate seeds and coarsely minced parsley.