Capsicum annum is the Latin botanical name for the jalepeno pepper. The pepper starts out green, and turns red as it ripens on the plant. After the pepper is dark red and beginning to dry out, it is picked and put into a smoker. Wood, often pecan wood, is used to produce the smoke that flavors the peppers. Chipotle pepper is dried and has the texture of a raisin.
Chipotle pepper powder can be used in a wide variety of recipes. You can sprinkle a bit into your favorite barbecue sauce, especially one that features a sweet taste, to balance the flavors and make both of them more exciting together. It is often a key ingredient used in a barbecue rub, which is rubbed onto steaks, chops and other cuts of meat that will go on the grill. It can also be used in a ketchup-based marinade for chicken. You can combine it with cubed chicken and spicy cheese as part of a chicken salad dish. Chipotle peppers are sometimes added to condiments such as mayonnaise or ketchup to spice them up. Some people enjoy balancing sweet and spicy flavors in desserts, and a chocolate brownie could easily benefit from the addition of a little chipotle. It offers a spicy kick to potato salads, and is stunning when added to slow-cooked pinto beans that will cook down to refried beans. For a flavor surprise that would go well with any type of savory Mexican food, try a bit of chipotle mixed into your sour cream that you use to garnish the dishes.
Buy chipotle pepper from Starwest Botanicals and you are assured of a quality product because we process our spices in house. All of our herbs and spices come with a complete satisfaction guarantee.
