Smoke-Baked Barbecue Chile Pie |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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Smoke baking is a great technique to use for garlic bread, pizzas, quiche, or a savory breakfast casserolewhenever you want to bake and get a hit of smoky flavor at the same time. You can smoke bake using a charcoal grill, gas grill, or a traditional smoker with a smoking temperature you can control (water smokers have a set temperature of 225°F to 250°F and will not work for this recipe). When chiles from Hatch, New Mexico, come to market in August, I stock up on enough to roast and freeze for chile pies, pots of Southwestern chili, and batches of salsa through the winter months. You can substitute other varieties of chiles (or bell peppers for a less spicy result) in this recipe and experiment with additional ingredients, such as a garnish of chopped scallions, cilantro, or parsley. A teaspoon of your favorite chili seasoning blend or barbecue dry rub could add a special accent. If you can't get Hatch chile peppers, no problem. Buy fresh green Anaheim peppers and fire roast them at home. For a true Southwestern flavor use the heavier mesquite woodvery sparingly hereor pecan. This is a great dish for a light supper or an outdoor brunch. Suggested wood: Pecan or mesquite Ingredients:
1 frozen prepared deep-dish pie crust |
8 ounces fire-roasted mild hatch or other chile peppers, seeded and sliced into strips of varying size (see note) |
8 ounces shredded cheddarmonterey jack cheese blend |
1/4 cup chopped texas sweet or vidalia onions |
1/2 teaspoon olive oil |
4 large eggs, beaten |
8 ounces hickory- or maple-smoked bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped |
Directions:
1. 1. Fill your charcoal chimney with briquets, set the chimney on the bottom grill grate, and light or prepare a fire in your smoker. For a gas grill, turn half the burners to high.
2. 2. Line the bottom and sides of the pie crust with the chile pepper strips, reserving a few to garnish the top of the pie. Top with the cheese, spreading it out evenly over the bottom of the crust.
3. 3. In a small sauté pan over medium heat, sauté the onions in the olive oil until softened, about 3 minutes. In a medium-size bowl, combine the eggs and onion, then pour the mixture over the cheese. Arrange the reserved chile pepper strips on the top of the pie.
4. 4. When the coals are ready, dump them into the bottom of your grill, and spread them evenly across half. Scatter the drained wood chips on the hot coals, or put the dry wood chips in a metal container and place closest to a burner on a gas grill. Place the pie on the indirect side of the grill. When the smoke starts to rise, close the lid.
5. 5. Smoke bake the pie at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until the crust has browned, the filling has set, and the pie has a mild, smoky aroma. Sprinkle with the bacon before serving.
6. Note: Fire-roast the chiles by grilling them over hot coals until the skins blacken, then remove the papery skin, seeds, and membrane. (You should wear food-preparation gloves for this because the oil from hot chiles will stick to your hands. If you rub your eyes or other sensitive areas after working with the chiles, it can be painful. If the chiles are mild, however, gloves arent necessary.)
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