Tips for Cooking with Jalapeno Peppers
Spice Up Your Meals
Avoid Burning Your Skin When Cooking With Jalapeno Peppers:
Wash your hands frequently when cooking with jalapeno peppers. Most of us know to wash our hands before preparing food. When cooking with jalapeno peppers, you'll also want to wash your hands after you prepare the food. Jalapeno peppers contain a substance known as Capsaicin that can cause a painful burning sensation after it comes in contact with human eyes or skin. Do not touch your face or rub your eyes while you are working with jalapeno peppers. It is especially important not to use the bathroom unless you've washed your hands first. (Of course, it goes without saying that you'll want to wash your hands again after you've finished in the bathroom, too.) Plain water will not be sufficient to remove the Capsaicin oils from your hands after you've touched the insides of a jalapeno pepper; you will need to use soap or detergent.
Wear Gloves When Cutting Up Jalapeno Peppers:
Wear either latex gloves or rubber gloves when you dice your jalapeno peppers. Gloves will protect your hands, but keep in mind that you will still need to make an effort not to touch your face, eyes or skin when wearing the gloves. Wash the gloves thoroughly with soap and water after you are finished using them for this purpose.
Jalapeno Pepper Membranes and Seeds Are Spicy!
If you like really spicy food, leave the inner membranes and seeds in your jalapeno peppers, and cook the peppers with the seeds still in them. If you don't want your dish to be quite as spicy, remove the membranes and seeds before cooking. Your dish will still be flavorful, but the hotness will be reduced.
Red Vs. Green Jalapeno Peppers:
Most jalapeno peppers sold in grocery stores are green in color. Jalapeno peppers, when left to ripen until they reach full maturity, can turn red. Some people consider the red jalapenos to be inferior. I disagree, as long as the red jalapenos are not overripe to the point of decay. I like them either way. Jalapenos differ from bell peppers, but they do have similarities. In my opinion, red bell peppers are superior to green bell peppers; the red bell peppers are usually sweeter and more flavorful. Similarly, my perception has been that red jalapenos can taste more flavorful than their green counterparts do. The red jalapenos might be slightly sweeter, or "fruitier".
Chipotle Peppers:
A chipotle pepper is a jalapeno pepper that has been smoked and / or dried. These flavorful chipotle peppers add zing to any meal.
Cook Books Featuring Jalapeno Pepper Recipes:
Want some recipes for cooking with jalapeno peppers? Here are some suggestions:
Southshire Pepper-Pot: A Literary Feast With Culinary Refrains
Author: Southshire Roundtable
Edited by: Stefano Donati
Publisher: Lion's Mark Press
ISBN#: 978-0979963308
Texas Peppers: The Jalapeno Cookbook
Author: Peggy Struble
Publisher: Cookbook Resources (TX)
ISBN#: 978-1931294065
Jalapeno Madness: The Hottest Little Jalapeno Cookbook
Author: Michael Hultguist
Publisher: IUniverse
ISBN#: 978-0595195596
Published by Amy Solovay
Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile design. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics, including crafts, culinary arts, fashion and design. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentThese are definitely good tips for cooking with Jalapeno peppers. I've burned myself with them before--amazing how good they can be, yet a bit dangerous too. HaHa.
great tips on how to cook using jalapeno peppers!
sure helps relieve the burning sensation from the skin, and the mucous membranes around the eyes. Now, I always wear gloves when chopping hot peppers. Live and learn!!! (^;^)
Very good advise, Amy. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way! The first time I canned my homemade salsa, I finely diced hot peppers and washed my hands well afterward. Later that night, I awoke from a dream that I was on fire. My eyes were burning like they were on fire and so were my hands ... I had rubbed my eyes in my sleep and even though I had washed my hands well after chopping the peppers, hours later the the capsaicin was still effective. The only way I stopped the burning sensation was by soaking a washcloth in cold milk and using it as a cool compress over my eyes and soaking my hands in a bowl of milk. Splashing cold water did not help at all. Cold milk was the only thing that seemed effective in relieving the burning sensation. Thank God, my Mexican sister-in-law had told me once if I ever ate a hot pepper that burned my mouth, to drink cold milk to soothe the burning sensation. Maybe it is the lactic acid in the milk, I am not sure, but from experience I do know it s