Chile Pasilla with Cheese - Solomon Islands Style

Ingredients

In this Solomon Islands adaptation, we incorporate local ingredients and flavors to create a unique twist on the traditional Mexican dish. The original recipe typically uses Mexican cheese, but we substitute it with a local melting cheese from the Solomon Islands. Additionally, we infuse the dish with Solomon Islands spices to add a touch of island flair. We alse have the original recipe for Chile pasilla con queso, so you can check it out.

• 6 pasilla peppers 6 pasilla peppers
• 200g (7oz) Solomon Islands melting cheese 200g (7oz) Solomon Islands melting cheese
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 5g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   Place the pasilla peppers on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.
3. 3.
   Remove the peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly. Peel off the charred skins, remove the seeds, and cut the peppers into strips.
4. 4.
   In a skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
5. 5.
   Add the roasted pasilla pepper strips to the skillet and stir in the ground turmeric, cumin, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, until the flavors are well combined.
7. 7.
   Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top it with the grated Solomon Islands melting cheese.
8. 8.
   Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pasilla peppers — Roasting the pasilla peppers enhances their flavor and makes them easier to peel. Be careful when handling the roasted peppers as they can be hot. You can adjust the spiciness of the dish by adding more or fewer peppers.
• Solomon Islands melting cheese — This cheese has a creamy texture and melts beautifully. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with a mild, melting cheese of your choice.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a milder version, you can remove the seeds from the pasilla peppers before roasting them.
• Serve the dish with warm tortillas or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• For an extra burst of freshness, squeeze some lime juice over the dish before serving.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or tomatoes to the mixture for added flavor and texture.
• Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination.

Serving advice

Serve the Chile Pasilla with Cheese as a main dish accompanied by steamed rice or a fresh salad. It also makes a delicious appetizer or side dish for a larger meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro over the melted cheese. The vibrant green color will add a pop of freshness to the dish.