Chicken Mince Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Sometimes I am not sure how to feel about the lockdown. Back in March of last year when DD came home and had to miss her graduation, we walked around as if on egg shells fearing if we will trigger something that is going make her feel bad. Talking philosophy and saying that she is probably better off than a lot of other people did not really help.

Time is a good healer, that phase of her life passed. We are the lucky winners of having her around for longer because of these unusual circumstances. DH with his running group experimenting new cuisines, DD with her new found need to learn cooking before she sets off into the world by herself has made mealtimes interesting. She enjoys baking, not just cakes and cookies but also meals. This stuffed poblano was one such effort.

Cooking like everything else has its own set of unique rewards. It is a creative process that gets you more and more involved in it, the more involved you get in it, the more you want to try new things to please yours and your family's taste buds.

This recipe was made earlier in the fall when there was fresh Poblano peppers. Here is my pitch for trying to eat local and patronize your local farmer :) What covid has exposed is that even in the richest country in the world there are people who cannot feed their kids and are going to bed hungry. The other problem simmering underneath but has now been exposed is the lack of access to local food systems.

Whichever corner of the world you are in, be aware of the local farmers, support them and eat locally. The further we get away from our local food systems the further we risk our health and well being. When health is lost no amount of wealth is worth it! If all of this is not reason enough for fresh vegetables, just the taste should convince you :)

Recipe in pictures,

Bake the cleaned Poblano peppers for about 5 minutes.
Prepare the chicken.
Prepare the sauce and bake the chicken stuffed peppers for another 5-6 minutes.

A fantastic light meal that is ready in just a few steps. If you do not have Poblano peppers feel free to use Bell Peppers.

Chicken Mince Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Preparation Time:20 minutes
Cooking Time:30 minutes
Ingredients

1. 10-15 Poblano Peppers
2. 1 lb chicken mince
3. 3-4 green chilies finely chopped
4. 2-3 garlic cloves or 1/2 tbsp of garlic powder
5. 2 tsp ginger powder or 1/2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
6. 1 cup of finely chopped onion
7. Salt to taste
8. 2 tsp of oil
9. 1 1/2 cups of grated pepper jack cheese.
For the Sauce
10. 1/4 cup of onions
11. 1 garlic clove minced
12. 2 tsp of red chili powder
13. salt to taste
14. 1 tsp of oil
15. 1 cup of chopped tomatoes.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350F. While the oven is preheating finish cooking the chicken and cleaning the poblanos.
2. In a wide mouthed pan or cast iron pan, heat oil, when hot add in the onions and chopped green chilies. Saute till they are translucent.
3. Add in the ginger and garlic and saute for a minute.
4. Add in the minced chicen chicken, add salt and cook for about 8-10 minutes till the chicken is cooked. Set aside.
5. Slit the Poblano peppers ut keep the stems intact. Remove the seeds insides with a spoon. Wash and dry completely.
6. Take a cookie shet and line with parchment paper. Spray the pobalnos with oil and let them bake in a pre heated oven for about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
7. Now take each poblano and stuff 2 tbsp of the chicken into the pepper. Top it with a tbsp or so of the grated cheese. Arrange them on the cookie sheets with space between each pepper.
8. Bake for another 5-8 minutes till the cheese melts.
For the Sauce
9. In a sauce pan, heat oil, when hot saute the onions and minced garlic and when start to turn brown, add in the tomatoes, salt and red chili powder.
10. Cook till the tomatoes have reduced to a saucy consistency.

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