Chili Pockets Recipes

Steps:

• In Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook beef in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown. Add onion, celery and bell pepper. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked and vegetables begin to soften.
• Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano and sugar. Cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes and beans. Simmer uncovered 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Remove pie crusts from pouches; unroll on lightly floured work surface. Using rolling pin, roll out crusts slightly. Using a bowl as a pattern, cut 3 large rounds from each crust; discard scraps.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup chili on half of each round. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Fold dough over filling and press edges together, forming half circle; press with tines of fork to seal. With sharp knife, cut 2 to 3 slits in top of dough to allow steam to escape. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• In small bowl, beat egg and water with fork or whisk. Brush over dough.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

Steps:

• Preheat oven per biscuit directions.
• Spread a biscuit out a bit and place a teaspoon of chili in the center and then add about the same amount of cheese.
• Pull the edges together to make a half moon. Be sure to pinch closed well.
• Bake as long as you would a regular biscuit.
• Be sure not to burn you tongue and enjoy.
• You could also use taco filling, meatloaf or other leftover.

Steps:

• For filling:
• Char poblano chiles directly over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel, seed, and slice chiles into 1/4-inch strips.
• Place tomatoes in processor; chop coarsely. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chiles; cook until mixture thickens, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; mix in cheese. Season with salt.
• For dough:
• Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Knead to blend well, adding warm water by tablespoonfuls as needed until dough is soft but not sticky. Divide dough into 10 equal portions; roll each into ball. Place balls on sheet of aluminum foil. Cover balls of dough with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Cut two 8-inch rounds from heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Place 1 round on bottom half of tortilla press. Place 1 dough ball in center; top with second plastic round. Close tortilla press, gently flattening dough to 4-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Peel off top plastic. Lift bottom plastic and peel dough round off. Place on sheet of waxed paper. Shape remaining 9 balls into 4-inch rounds.
• Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Heat heavy large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Place two 4-inch rounds at a time on griddle or skillet. Cook until just light brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer gorditas to prepared baking sheet. (Filling and gorditas can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover loosely; let stand at room temperature.)
• Pour enough oil into heavy large skillet to reach depth of 1/2 inch. Attach deep-fry thermometer. Heat oil over medium heat to 325°F to 350°F. Fry 2 or 3 gorditas at a time until crisp and slightly puffed, 30 seconds per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Cut halfway around edge of each gordita to make opening. Gently squeeze sides to open shell. Spoon about 1/4 cup filling into each opening. Arrange gorditas on platter; serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the shallot, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and the sugar in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare everything else.
• Combine 2 tablespoons of the cilantro, the ginger, garlic, chile crisp, honey and fish sauce in another small bowl and stir into a thick paste.
• Lay out 2 pieces of aluminum foil, each large enough to enclose a fish fillet in a packet, and place a fillet in the center of each. Sprinkle the fillets with the oil and season both lightly with salt all over. Coat both fillets with the chile crisp paste, making sure to cover all sides. Fold each piece of foil to enclose the fish, ensuring each is airtight. Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes; when you open the packets, the fish should be opaque all the way through.
• Unwrap the fillets and serve each topped with quick-pickled shallots and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cilantro.