2023-09-16
By Mexico Lindo
Mexican Cuisine
Main Course
Use the slow cooker’s "low" setting to slowly cook the ground beef and pork for your picadillo filling. The long cooking time allows the flavors from the dried fruits, spices, and herbs to meld together, making for a tender, flavorful filling for your chiles.
The Instant Pot’s "saute" function is perfect for quickly roasting your poblano peppers. Afterward, you can steam the chiles with the "pressure cook" function to make peeling them much easier and faster. This method reduces prep time while ensuring the chiles stay intact for stuffing.
Use the air fryer to lightly toast the walnuts for your nogada sauce. The "air crisp" function ensures a perfect golden-brown crust on the nuts without burning them. You can also use the air fryer to crisp up the stuffed chiles, adding a subtle crunch to the dish’s exterior.
The most challenging part of making Chiles en Nogada is preparing the chiles. The chiles should be roasted and peeled carefully to avoid tearing them. After peeling, carefully remove the seeds and veins without breaking the chiles. It is important to handle the chiles delicately to maintain their shape.
The filling for Chiles en Nogada is a mixture of ground meat, fruits, and spices. It can be challenging to achieve the right balance of flavors. Make sure to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and season the filling with a blend of spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and cumin. It is also important to cook the meat until it is fully browned and the fruits are soft.
The traditional sauce for Chiles en Nogada is a creamy walnut sauce that can be challenging to make. It is important to use fresh, high-quality walnuts and blend them thoroughly to create a smooth and silky sauce. The sauce can be thickened with bread crumbs or cream, but it is important to avoid adding too much as the sauce should be a thin, pourable consistency.
The final challenge is to assemble and present the Chiles en Nogada beautifully. Stuff the chiles with the filling and drizzle the sauce over the top. Finally, sprinkle pomegranate seeds and chopped parsley to create the green, white, and red colors of the Mexican flag. It is important to handle the chiles with care to avoid breaking them.
Preparation Time 1 hour 30 min
Cook Time 2 hour
Total time 3 hours 30 min