Friday Friend Recipe #13--Chili Rellenos (casserole?) and Append #1

I have a problem! 

Here I am, in the swing of things again (when it comes to counting down my Friday Friend Cookbook recipes) making  Chili Relleno Casserole,  when I open my cookbook and lo and behold---there is no, NO Chili Relleno Casserole in the  FF Cookbook.  

There is a recipe for Chili Rellenos and mini chili rellenos, but not for a casserole of any kind.  (sigh)  I thought there was.
Oh man!  Is this going to count as one of the recipes?  Cuz---I  meant for it too. But I've already browned my ground beef and onion for the casserole, bought the cheese and the chilies.  What to do, what to do?

Luckily, both the casserole recipe and the Chili Relleno recipe were turned in by the same person---Barbara Brown---who also typed up and published our FF Cookbook.  Perhaps she will give me credit.

Different cookbooks/notebooks, but still.... maybe?   ( I am adding/updating this note on October 5th, 2014, to say I am adding this to the FF appendix set of recipes.  Those that weren't in the FF cookbook, but should have been   )

I love the smell of chilies!  And I love the taste of chilies in things.
I did not know this until last night, that the Handyman doesn't love them like I do.  Even after 36 years of wedded bliss, he'll surprise me sometimes!
We always buy the Hatch Chilies out of New Mexico when they are in the markets---he has always pretended to love those!  And when we go out for Mexican food,  he'll always order the Green Chili Burrito, or  Chili Verde.
I think he's crazy!  He does too like  chilies!!

This Chili Relleno Casserole, or "Bake" as the recipe title says, is really good.  I think I might have overloaded it with cheese.  I used Jack and Cheddar, because  that's what I bought.    There is some browned ground beef in the bake, which made the Handyman happy---and to be truthful, it--the meat-- is really good in there. I might have had too many chilies, too much cheese and not enough egg batter poured in, because you can  hardly see it.  Nevertheless, it is a really good casserole.  Mexican inspired!  

Chili Rellenos Bake
by FF Barbara Brown of Buckeye,  Arizona

1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, diced
salt and pepper to taste

Brown the beef and onion, drain fat.  Season with salt and pepper

4oz can whole chilies
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Place chilies in a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese and top with hamburger mixture.

3 eggs beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt

Combine and pour over chili and meat mixture.

(I sprinkled with additional cheese.)

Bake for 45 mins at  350.
Let cook for 5 minutes.
Enjoy!

Wait, wait WAIT!!

You don't think that will count?  (sigh)  FINE.   Here is a chili relleno I made while the 'bake' baked.

I made the Handyman eat both times!!

I really need to take chili relleno battering lessons from my cousin Linda.  She is an expert!  (she didn't turn in that recipe tho)

These from Barb tasted great---just couldn't keep the batter on.

Chili Relleno

Barbara Brown--Buckeye.

6 green chilies

3 egg whites--beaten stiff

1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

cheddar and jack cheese

add the dry ingredients to the beaten egg whites.  Meanwhile add 2 T. milk to the egg yolks and cut the cheeses into long strips.

Fold the egg yolks into the whites.

Stuff each chili with a cheese strip or 2.

Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and dip each chili into the batter and fry lightly on both sides.  OR--as Barb says,  put the batter onto the pan, and lay your chili down, then spoon some more batter on top.  Brown and turn.

(I had trouble keeping the batter on---probably should have patted my chilies dry)

And now for a new Barb story?

Hmmmmm.....   I mean one that I could tell!

You know they are great game (board gamer) players and we have marathon board game weekends when we are together....  Her husband Doug is MY partner.

One time when we went to their house for the weekend, we were each supposed to  'make  up' a new drink/cocktail,  and then we'd have a contest and vote on which one we liked best.

Barb made a drink called "Frog Grog" which included lemonade and vodka and something else---melon liquor?  To make it green like a frog.  It was a good drink.  I think she was the grand prize winner!!   Hooray for FROG GROG.

The Handyman and I make 'Bullfrogs' in the summer, which is what we call lemonade and vodka, so  Frog Grog is just a variation of that (although completely made up  by Barb)---I want one now.

Barb and her husband, my game playing partner, Doug!  

Psssst..... I wouldn't trade him for anything, BUT,  I think if Barb and I could be partners, WE would ALWAYS be the grand prize winners!!