Why it works: Tofu and cheese work together. They rank in the top 22% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 40 recipes. Both carry ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, which smells fruity, apple. The science ↓
Tofu Chile Relleno Casserole
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare
Split the whole chilis lengthwise.
Remove seeds and lay them flat in the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish.
Place the tofu on a paper towel and gently squeeze out excess moisture.
Crumble and blend half the tofu with the jack cheese.
Blend the remaining half of the tofu with the sharp cheddar.
Layer
Layer the whole chilis with a layer of jack-mix followed by a layer of sharp-mix.
Add a layer of diced green chilis.
Repeat the layers until the cheese and chilis are gone.
Custard and bake
Beat the eggs with the evaporated milk.
Pour the mixture over the casserole.
Spread salsa over the top of the casserole.
Bake at 350°F in the oven for 45 minutes.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 7 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 1 cup (244ml) whole | 149 |
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Cheddar Cheese | 1 oz (28g) | 113 |
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Tofu | 100g firm | 76 |
| Tomato | 1 medium (123g) | 22 |
| Chili | 1 tsp (2.7g) | 8 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Tofu + cheesetop 22% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together40 recipes
Shared aroma: ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (fruity, apple).
-
Tofu + eggtop 26% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together214 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
-
Cheese + evaporated milktop 27% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together69 recipes
Shared aroma: ethanol (alcoholic, ethereal).
-
Cheese + eggtop 28% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together6,253 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
-
Egg + evaporated milktop 36% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together649 recipes
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Tofu
- Provides a firm, protein-rich body that holds the layers together and absorbs flavor.
- Eggs
- Set when baked, binding the cheese and chilis into a sliceable custard.
- Evaporated milk
- Adds moisture and richness to the egg custard, keeping it creamy as it sets.
- Jack cheese
- Melts smoothly and adds creamy texture and mild flavor to the layers.
- Sharp cheddar
- Adds sharper flavor and browning as it melts through the layers.
- Green chilis
- Contribute mild heat and a fresh, vegetal flavor throughout the casserole.
The step that matters
Squeezing the tofu. Excess water in tofu would dilute the custard and cheese mixture and leave the casserole loose and soggy. Pressing out moisture helps the layers set firm when baked.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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