Authentic Chicken Chiles Rellenos

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2: Remove visible fat from chicken. Rub chickens pieces with chipotle in adobo, lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin seeds, coriander, and cilantro.

Step 3: Place chicken in a baking dish. Bake until done (about 40 - 45 minutes) until cooked through and juices run clear.

Step 4: Allow chicken to cool until cool enough to handle. Shred meat, chop well and set aside. Scrape juice remaining in pan onto the shredded meat.

Step 5: Roast the chilies by holding over a gas flame with metal tongs until the skin is blistered all over. Chilies can also be broiled in the oven, keeping an eye on them so they won't burn.

Step 6: Place blistered chilies in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for about 10 - 15 minutes to soften skin. Remove and peel blistered skin from stem end down. It is important to keep peppers intact. Set chilies aside.

Step 7: In a skillet, saute corn with scallions in a butter until warm, but not mushy. Turn into bowl and add 1 teaspoons chili powder. Crumble in the feta cheese. Add Monterrey jack, chopped pecans, and chicken. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper.

Step 8: In a separate bowl, combine ground 1/8 cup ground cumin seeds, chili powder with cornmeal; set aside.

Step 9: In another bowl, combine eggs and milk; set aside.

Step 10: Slice top rim of the chilies stem end across 3/4 of the way to form a lid. Carefully remove seeds (it's o.k. to let some seeds remain).

Step 11: Fill chilies with chicken stuffing, carefully starting at stem end, being careful to keep chilies intact. It's much easier to fill by using your hands as a spoon tends to tear chilies.

Step 12: Dip chilies in egg/milk mixture and then roll in cornmeal. Placing chilies on a wax or plastic lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or more.

Step 13: Heat oil to 375 degrees F. Deep fry the chilies in batches. Drain, keep warm and serve.

Step 14: Serve with dollops of sour cream or with sour cream sauce. (Make sour cream sauce by blending sour cream, buttermilk or milk to the right consistency. Add a little chopped cilantro if preferred and I sometimes add grated lime peel and/or sprinkle lime juice to taste. Add a bit of salt if desired).

Step 15: NOTE: Toasting cumin seeds and then grinding them adds a smoky intensity. You can use pre-ground cumin, but note that the flavor won't have the same depth and character. I've used both and prefer the toasted seeds. If toasting the seeds, please keep an eye on them as they toast very quickly and just as quickly they burn. Spices can easy be ground in an electric coffee grinder dedicated solely for grinding spices.