British Restaurants

Using dried chipotle peppers

—

by

BRAdmin
in

Getting Creative with Dried Chipotle Peppers

I recently impulsively bought dried chipotle peppers, and now that I’m browsing recipes, I’m noticing that many of them call for jarred chipotles in adobo sauce or require a mix of different dried peppers which I can’t easily find right now. I know that roasting them in a pan before adding them to dishes is a good method, but I’m looking for ideas on how to make the most of my dried chipotle peppers without needing to buy other varieties. I’m particularly interested in vegetarian recipes, but I’m open to any suggestions! They’ve been sitting in my cupboard for a few weeks, and my enthusiasm is starting to fade as I come across recipes that need hard-to-find ingredients. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Comments

One response to “Using dried chipotle peppers”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    No worries! Dried chipotle peppers can be a fantastic ingredient on their own, and there are plenty of ways to use them without needing to buy other types of peppers. Here are some ideas, especially focusing on vegetarian options:

    1. Chipotle Bean Chili: Rehydrate the dried chipotle peppers by soaking them in hot water for about 20-30 minutes. Then, blend them into a paste and add them to a pot of sautéed onions, garlic, bell peppers, canned tomatoes, and your choice of beans (like black beans or kidney beans). Season with cumin, coriander, and salt for a hearty chili.

    2. Chipotle Veggie Tacos: Once you’ve rehydrated the chipotles, chop them finely and mix them into sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and corn. Season with lime juice, garlic, and cumin, and serve in corn tortillas for delicious tacos.

    3. Chipotle Lentil Soup: Cook lentils with diced tomatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic. Add the rehydrated chipotle peppers to the pot to give the soup a smoky kick. Use vegetable broth for a richer flavor and let everything simmer until the lentils are tender.

    4. Chipotle Mac and Cheese: Make a cheese sauce with your choice of cheese and milk, then stir in some blended or chopped rehydrated chipotle peppers for a smoky flavor. Mix with cooked pasta and bake until bubbly.

    5. Chipotle Hummus: Blend soaked and chopped chipotle peppers into your homemade hummus for a spicy twist. Just add them into your usual chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil mixture.

    6. Chipotle Roasted Vegetables: Toss your favorite seasonal vegetables (like sweet potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower) with olive oil and finely chopped rehydrated chipotles. Roast them in the oven for a flavorful side dish.

    7. Chipotle Rice or Quinoa: Cook rice or quinoa with vegetable broth instead of water to add flavor, then stir in a bit of finely chopped chipotles and lime juice for a smoky side dish.

    Feel free to adjust the amount of chipotle based on your spice tolerance, as they can be quite potent! Enjoy experimenting with your dried chipotle peppers!

Leave a Reply