Today I'm talking to you about a subject that I particularly like; chipotle peppers! But not just any, the best technique to make your own homemade chipotle peppers.
Many of you, like me, planted the famous jalapeño peppers in your garden this summer. More time in our yard meant more time to BBQ, but also to grow all kinds of vegetables and fruits. The feeling of pride and accomplishment is unparalleled when you get to harvest after weeks of work!
Producing your own chipotle peppers takes the same kind of effort, as it's a long process, but oh so satisfying!
First, let's start by talking about what chipotle peppers actually are. They are jalapenos that have been left to mature for a longer period of time, until they turn red. Native to Mexico, they are traditionally cold smoked to dry them out. This is a preservation process that dates back to the Aztecs, takes 6 to 7 days to complete, and allows the peppers to last longer. Today, the chipotle peppers you find in grocery stores are usually oven dried, not cold smoked, and are then given liquid smoke to give them flavor.
For the most daring and motivated among you, it is possible to make your own chipotle peppers at home, to then use them in various recipes such as stir-fries, chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. Once dried, the pepper loses its spiciness, and you taste more of the smokiness, and even a hint of sweetness.
Since this recipe takes several days to make, it's worth making a big batch. batch of jalapenos, and get what you pay for! You can then keep the chipotle peppers whole, grind some into powder, chop them and put them in oil, in short, the possibilities are endless!
To make your chipotle peppers at home, you will need: BBQ Quebec smoker , which allows you to cold smoke foods. You can then place your red jalapenos on the BBQ grill, and the smoker filled with granules on the bottom grill. After 2-3 days, the peppers will start to dry, then dehydrate. You can do this process in stages, if you can't do it continuously. This method obviously takes time, but it will give you a result that is completely incomparable to what you find in the grocery store!
In the world of BBQ, the chipotle flavor represents the Southwest of the United States very well. It is truly everywhere. In fact, Tabasco Chipotle sauce is the best-selling sauce in the United States! You can even find it in several breakfast restaurants in our neighbors to the South. Here, this flavor is found in many of our products, including;
I have to admit, one of my favorite variations of chipotle pepper, and here I am speaking specifically to my crowd from Quebec, it's Ashton's pure sauce! Yes my friend! Who remembers this sauce, with its smoky, sweet, spicy taste, but not too much? For me, it's a just comforting taste, and the more I think about it, the more I dream of this sauce... Next time I go to Quebec, I'm going to have to go and have a poutine, ask for the pure sauce on the side, and I'll take it home!!!