HOW TO PREPARE CHILES EN NOGADA.

“Chiles en Nogada” is a classic Mexican dish that hails from the state of Puebla. It’s especially significant during Mexico’s independence celebrations in September, as the colors of the dish (green, white, and red) mirror those of the Mexican flag.

Here’s a recipe to prepare “Chiles en Nogada”:

Ingredients:
For the filling:
6 large poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, and seeds removed
1 lb (450g) ground pork (or a mix of beef and pork)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped tomatoes
1 apple, peeled and chopped
1 pear, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup (75g) chopped dried apricots or peaches
1/4 cup (40g) raisins
1/4 cup (30g) chopped almonds
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
For the nogada (walnut sauce):
1 cup (120g) walnuts, soaked overnight in cold water
1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
1 cup (240 ml) sour cream or Mexican crema
1/2 cup (50g) queso fresco or farmer’s cheese
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Garnish:
Pomegranate seeds
Fresh parsley leaves or cilantro
Instructions:
Preparing the filling:
In a large pan, brown the ground pork over medium heat, breaking it up into small bits.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent.
Add the tomatoes and cook for a couple of minutes until they break down a bit.
Add the apple, pear, apricots or peaches, raisins, almonds, and cinnamon. Stir and let simmer for 10 minutes, or until the fruits are softened. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preparing the nogada:
Drain the soaked walnuts and place them in a blender.
Add milk, sour cream or crema, queso fresco, sugar, and salt to the blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
Assembling:
Carefully stuff each poblano chile with the pork and fruit mixture.
Place the stuffed chiles on serving plates.
Pour the nogada over the top of each chile, making sure they’re generously covered.
Garnish with pomegranate seeds and fresh parsley or cilantro.
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Chiles en Nogada! It’s a dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and creamy flavors.