Why it works: Buttermilk and flour are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 8% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 3,721 recipes. Both carry ethanol, which smells alcoholic, ethereal. The science ↓
Chili Rellanos
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare
Preheat oven to 350.
Remove seeds from chili peppers (I don't because I like the seeds).
Rinse and pat dry.
Grease a shallow baking dish and make three layers of chili peppers and cheese, starting with a layer of peppers.
Make the batter
In a small bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, flour, paprika, baking powder, and salt. Beat with a fork until well mixed.
Bake
Pour the batter over the layers in the baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 6 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 1 cup (125g) all-purpose | 455 |
| Milk | 1 cup (244ml) whole | 149 |
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
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.
-
Buttermilk + flourtop 8% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together3,721 recipes
Shared aroma: ethanol (alcoholic, ethereal).
-
Egg + flourtop 15% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together106,462 recipes
Shared aroma: isobutyraldehyde (malty, green).
-
Pepper + cheesetop 18% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together7,861 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
-
Pepper + flourtop 19% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together50,459 recipes
Shared aroma: isobutyraldehyde (malty, green).
-
Egg + buttermilktop 25% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together2,986 recipes
Shared aroma: 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom, earthy).
Egg and flour barely smell alike, yet cooks put them together in 106,462 recipes: they work on texture and structure more than aroma.
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Eggs
- Bind the batter and help set it into a custard-like crust when baked.
- All-purpose flour
- Provides structure to the batter so it holds together around the peppers and cheese.
- Pepper jack cheese
- Melts between the peppers to add richness, fat and a binding texture.
- Buttermilk
- Adds moisture and mild acidity to the batter, tenderising its texture.
- Baking powder
- Releases gas in the batter so it puffs and lightens as it bakes.
The step that matters
Layering the peppers and cheese. Even layers keep the filling distributed so every serving has both pepper and cheese. Batter poured over the layers needs to reach the whole dish, so the layering should be spread evenly before baking.
“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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