Avocado Beef & Habanero Cheese Stuffed Poblanos with Smoked Gouda Chipotle Grits

As you know by now, I love spicy food!!! I wanted some spice last night! Hehe! It was darn tasty too! You can play with the recipe for the stuffed peppers, all you want. You can change up the cheese, the meat, even use your favorite package taco seasoning, or none at all. The sky is the limit. Have fun with it!!

Avocado, Beef, Habanero Cheese Stuffed Poblanos:

1lb ground beef
4-6 poblanos (charred, skin removed, slit down the middle and seeds removed)
1 small onion, diced
salt to taste
pepper to taste
2tsp chili powder
1tsp Mexican oregano (regular would work fine as well)
1tsp garlic powder
1tsp cumin
1tsp coriander
1/2 a beer or so... ;)
1 large avocado, sliced
4oz of your favorite cheese (mine is habanero cheddar)

Preheat oven to 350°
Brown ground beef in a skillet, add in the onion and cook until onion is tender. Add in your seasonings and saute for about a minute. Add in the beer, reduce heat to simmer and let the beer cook out a bit, until the mixture is thickened somewhat.

Into your poblano, place a slice of avocado a little cheese, and fill with meat. Top with another avocado slice and more cheese. Repeat with the remaining peppers. I like to place the pepper in the baking dish first and fill while in there.(less mess) Bake for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with grits, below.

Smoked Gouda and Chipotle Grits:

2TB butter
2c fresh or frozen corn kernels (thawed if frozen)
1 medium onion, chopped
5c water
2c whole milk
1tsp salt
1tsp pepper
1 1/2c quick-cooking white hominy grits
2c coarsely grated smoked Gouda cheese about 8oz
1TB chopped canned chipotle in adobo
chopped cilantro, about a couple of tablespoons

Melt the butter in large saucepan, add in onions and corn and saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Add water, milk, salt and pepper, bring to a boil. Slowly add in your grits whisking to prevent lumps. Reduce temp to simmer and cook until grits are tender about 15 minutes. Make sure to stir often!! Stir in cheese and chipotle, mix until cheese is melted. Remove from heat, adjust seasoning and add in cilantro and serve.