Chipotle is a smoked jalapeno pepper. In essence, this dish is a fiery seasoning traditional to Mexican cuisine. Peppers are smoked in a special way. Ready chipotle is used in the preparation of various dishes, including sauces and marinades.

What is chipotle

Chipotle is a smoked chili pepper. It is prepared using red jalapeno pepper. After smoking, the pepper becomes even hotter than fresh. According to the Scoville scale, the heat of chipotle is medium - it is 5000-10000 SHU.

Naturally ripened red jalapeno peppers are used for smoking. When ripe, the fruits are green, but are left to ripen to make chipotle. As a result, they lose about a third of their moisture and turn red. This approach ensures drying of the product under natural conditions.

Useful properties, nutritional value of the product

Even heat treatment of pepper does not deprive it of its beneficial properties. This is ensured by the content of the following elements in the product:

• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin PP;
• B vitamins: riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• selenium;
• magnesium;
• calcium.

This composition provides the following beneficial properties of the product:

• improvement of the digestive process;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• diabetes prevention;
• acceleration of metabolic processes;
• positive effect on the cardiovascular system;
• lowering blood pressure;
• strengthening immunity;
• prevention of cancer.

100 g of chipotle contains 281 kcal. The product contains about 29% carbohydrates, 12% proteins and 8% fats.

In addition to its beneficial properties, chipotle also has negative sides. People suffering from stomach ulcers and gastritis should avoid this product. Eating chipotle can aggravate these diseases, as well as other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. In a healthy person, if the seasoning is abused, heartburn may occur.

How to cook

Traditionally, the product is smoked over several days using wood smoke. As a result, the pepper loses 90% of its mass and resembles dried fruit - outwardly it can be confused with prunes or figs.

Smoking fruits can be done using the express method. You must act according to the following algorithm:

1. Prepare the peppers - rinse them with running water, cut off the tails and remove the seeds.
2. Place wood chips in the smokehouse and set fire to it.
3. Place the peppers tightly on the grill and sprinkle with water.
4. Smoke the product for a quarter of an hour, then turn it over and stand for another 20 minutes.
5. Let the peppers cool.

To get closer to the traditional smoking method, wet sawdust should be used. In this case, smoking will be carried out using smoke. It takes longer, but the peppers acquire a specific taste and aroma.

To maximize the preservation of the beneficial properties of the product, it should be cold smoked. This should be done at a temperature of 25°C degrees. The smoking process in this case takes several days.

At home, peppers can be smoked in a frying pan. This must be done according to the following algorithm:

1. Prepare a deep frying pan with a thick bottom and line it with foil.
2. Add a layer of wood chips and herbs to add flavor.
3. Place a mesh or thin lattice on top.
4. Place the peppers prepared in advance, cover with a lid and put on fire.
5. Cooking time depends on the size of the fruit. Check readiness by piercing the fruit with a toothpick - it should be soft.

The maximum of nutrients is preserved when fresh pepper is smoked. This is only possible in the places where it grows.

After smoking by any method, the pepper should be left to dry naturally. You can dry the product in the oven at a minimum temperature or in a special vegetable dryer.

How and with what to serve

Chipotle is not considered as an independent dish - pepper is used as a seasoning. It is used to impart a special taste and aroma to various dishes, sauces, and marinades. On an industrial scale, chipotle is used to prepare one of Tabasco's hot sauces - Chipotle Pepper.

One of the traditional dishes with chipotle sauce is sauce. To prepare it at home, you need to mix pepper with sour cream and garlic in a blender. Instead of sour cream, you can use cream cheese, and add chili sauce for taste. The prepared seasoning is good served with meat and poultry.

Chipotle peppers can be added to various dishes made from meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables. This spice gives products a piquant, natural smoky aroma and a specific taste.

Chipotle is also used to prepare marinades and added to broths, burgers and pizza. This pepper is even used to make drinks, such as spicy coffee.

Smoked chipotle peppers can be crushed. It turns out to be a hot seasoning that can be added to all kinds of dishes. The advantage of a product in this form is ease of transportation, storage and use. This method is actively used on an industrial scale.

Chipotle is a rather fiery seasoning. It is necessary to add it to various dishes in moderation. It should also be remembered that the abuse of hot spices can negatively affect the body of even an absolutely healthy person.

Chipotle is a jalapeno pepper that has been naturally ripened and smoked with wood smoke for several days. This cooking technology allows you to preserve maximum beneficial properties and give the product a specific taste and aroma. For faster smoking of pepper, an express method is used, and in the absence of a smokehouse, smoking in a frying pan.

Chipotle (Spanish) chipotle) - smoked and dried jalapeno peppers, a popular seasoning in Mexican cuisine. Peppers were first prepared in this way several centuries ago in Mexico. At that time, people used smoking to prevent food from rotting and to store it for quite a long time.

Currently, chipotle is used to add a special flavor to sauces, soups, stews, and is even added to desserts. It is available in dry, canned and pickled forms. In addition to its vibrant aroma, it is renowned for its numerous health benefits.

An excellent source of many vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and antioxidants. Contains chipotle capsaicin– a compound that has important medicinal properties. Also contains antioxidant carotenoids such as zeaxanthin.

This wonderful pepper is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, niacin, folate, riboflavin and vitamin B6. There are also minerals: potassium and calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, copper and iron, selenium and zinc.

Useful properties

Just one pinch of this seasoning, added to everyday food, can resist truly dangerous diseases. So, what are the health benefits of chipotle peppers?

Speeds up metabolism

Stimulates taste buds. According to research, hot peppers, including chipotle, contain capsaicin, an antioxidant that increases metabolic rate and helps cope with excess weight.

Good for the heart

Moderate consumption of hot peppers improves heart function by reducing bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

Antioxidants in chipotle also help reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, as they resist the action of free radicals.

The natural compounds in these smoked peppers help dilate blood vessels, thereby improving blood circulation, reducing blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks.

Fights cancer

The same capsaicin helps fight cancer cells and causes their death. According to the results of a study conducted by scientists from the University of Nottingham, this antioxidant has high antitumor activity.

Reduces the risk of developing diabetes

Another beneficial property of chipotle peppers is preventing the development of type II diabetes. The product promotes fat oxidation, which leads to weight loss. But obesity is one of the key factors in the development of diabetes.

Natural pain reliever

Eating hot peppers is a great way to relieve pain associated with arthritis and migraines, headaches and back pain. For such a wonderful property of chipotle, one should say: “Thank you to capsaicin!”

Ensures eye health

Lutein and zeaxanthin are important for healthy vision. Regularly eating foods rich in these nutrients can reduce your risk of developing eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Reduces blood pressure

Chipotle contains high amounts of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidant bioflavonoids, which help strengthen blood vessels and increase their elasticity.

Hot peppers make us sweat, which causes fluid loss and decreased blood volume.

Improves digestion

According to research, capsaicin improves digestion. Along with stimulating digestive enzymes, this antioxidant also destroys harmful bacteria in your gut.

Chipotle contains a large amount of fiber that is beneficial for the digestive system. Dietary fiber stimulates peristaltic movements, increases the production of bile and digestive juices.

Strengthens immunity

Chipotle contains large amounts of vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and forms a reliable shield against free radicals.

Ensures bone health

Chipotle is a rich source of minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium, which help maintain healthy bones. They prevent bone loss, eliminating the possibility of diseases such as osteoporosis.

How to cook at home

1. The most important step in preparing this pepper is choosing the jalapeno. Peppers must be ripe, fresh, not limp, without spots or damage. Keep in mind that approximately 5 kg of fresh jalapenos will only yield 1 kg of chipotle.
2. So, you bought the peppers, now it's time to start smoking them. After washing and drying, the peppers can be smoked whole, or the tops can be cut off first to reduce smoking time. If you are not a fan of hot spice, do not forget to remove the seeds.
3. Smoking is done using softwoods such as oak, hickory and pecan. Make sure your smoker is clean because chipotle picks up flavors easily.
4. Drying can be completed in a household vegetable dehydrator or in a conventional oven.

Smoked and dried peppers are stored in a cool and dry place in glass jars or canvas bags made of natural fabrics.

Chipotle has a unique spicy taste and aroma, which is called “smoky.” But this is not his main merit. Much more important are the beneficial properties that you learned about today.

Chipotle or smoked chili sauce

Sauce is one of the best additions you can come up with for fire-cooked foods. Depending on the type, it can significantly complement the aroma of meat or fish, soften food, or simply emphasize the desired flavor note. This is why sauces have become so popular among barbecue and smoked meat lovers.

But what happens if you try to go even further and start smoking the very base from which the sauce is made? Apparently, the thought of the ancient Indians was moving in a similar direction when they first invented a separate type of pepper, and then a whole family of sauces under the general name chipotle.

About pronunciation

The word chipotle first came to English, and now to Russian, a language from the Astec group of languages. Yes, yes, this is not a typo, namely the Astek ones. This group of Indian languages, in turn, includes the Aztec, Nahua, Nahua, Nahuatl, Nahuatl and Naguatl languages. Today they are spoken by one and a half million people, mainly in Mexico and El Salvador. The term chipotle first appeared in the Nahuatl language. On it the word was written like this: chilpoktli, and therefore, paying tribute to traditions, the correct pronunciation would be “chipotle”. In practice, you won’t come across any number of pronunciation and spelling variants: “chipotle”, “chipotle”, and many other variants. By the way, it is the Nahuatl language that we owe to the appearance in Russian of such words as chili, avocado, tomato, coyote and even chocolate!

What does chipotle mean and where does it come from?

Chipotle literally translates to “smoked chili pepper” in Nahuatl. The Indians used this word to refer to the smoked pods of jalapeno peppers.

The modern method of producing chipotle has remained virtually unchanged since its invention. Typically, farmers harvest unripe, green pods of jalapeño peppers for sale. But by the end of the season, the jalapenos remaining in the fields ripen and acquire a bright red color. Those pods that are destined to become chipotle remain on the bush for as long as possible. Eventually, they become a very dark, deep red color and lose almost all their moisture. Only then are such pods plucked. Then they are sent to a special room, where they are smoked in smoke from sawdust. Every few hours the peppers are turned over so that the smoke thoroughly smokes all the pods. The process lasts several days. As a result, the color of the pods becomes dark brown. Sauces made from these peppers acquire an excellent smoky taste, characteristic of all chipotle sauces.

About dishes with chipotle

Chicken, beef, pork, fish - all these products are transformed if you add at least a few drops of chipotle to them. The meat acquires a taste that is now commonly called “smoky.” Only it is provided not with the help of artificial flavors, but due to the fact that the sauce is based on natural smoked jalapeno peppers.

Most often, people who try any meat dish with chipotle for the first time hear the following comment: “Very tasty and very reminiscent of kebab!” Indeed, even those dishes that were not originally cooked over a fire become similar in taste to traditional kebabs and barbecues.

Interestingly, this sauce can also be used as a usual addition to an already prepared dish; it will complement it perfectly. However, the full richness of chipotle's taste is truly revealed when it is used directly in the cooking process.

Chipotle peppers are smoked red jalapeno peppers, which in turn are a type of chili pepper. During heat treatment, the taste becomes less pungent and burning (5-10 thousand on the Scoville scale), and a specific smoky aroma appears. In cooking it is used exclusively as a seasoning and spice.

Manufacturing

The main raw material for making chipotle is red jalapeno peppers, picked from the branches while still green. They are smoked in wood smoke for several days, which is why they lose up to 90% of their original mass, drying out to the state of dried fruit.

Calorie content

100 grams of chipotle pepper contains about 280 kcal.

Compound

The chemical composition of chipotle pepper is high in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, ash, fiber, vitamins (A, B2, B2, B5, B6, B9, C, PP) and minerals (selenium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorus , potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium).

How to cook and serve

Chipotle pepper is one of those ingredients without which a number of dishes of Mexican national cuisine are simply impossible to prepare correctly. First of all, these are mole and salsa sauces. In addition, chipotle is often added to soups and main courses of stewed meats and vegetables, as well as meat marinades.

How to choose

When choosing chipotle, you should focus on its appearance and smell. High-quality smoked jalapeno peppers have a characteristic ashy color and a specific smoky aroma.

Storage

Being essentially a dried fruit, chipotle peppers can be stored at room temperature for several months, during which time they fully retain all of their original properties.

Useful properties

Regular consumption of dishes containing chipotle pepper has an anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, immunostimulating and tonic effect on the human body, and also reduces nervous excitability, while increasing resistance to significant psycho-emotional stress.

Restrictions on use

Individual intolerance, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal disorders, liver and kidney diseases. When consumed in excess, chipotle peppers damage the intestinal mucous membranes.

To prepare Chipotle, ripe red Jalapeno peppers are selected. For several days, the peppers are dried and smoked with wood smoke, after which they are crushed. Chipotle pepper can be used in the preparation of soups, main courses of meat and vegetables, as well as in the preparation of sauces.

Despite heat treatment, Chipotle pepper retains its beneficial properties. Chipotle contains vitamin C, B vitamins, as well as substances such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and selenium. Has cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Useful properties of Chipotle

• Regular consumption helps the normal functioning of the heart, liver, intestines and kidneys.
• Has an antiviral effect on the body.
• Helps normalize metabolism and cleanse the body of waste and toxins.
• Helps reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks, improves blood circulation. It is a good prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
• Reduces bad cholesterol levels and helps the normal functioning of the pancreas.

You can buy Chipotle peppers in our store with delivery throughout Yekaterinburg and the Russian Federation.