Jalapenos are a popular option with many people because they add a nice flavor without being too hot. Whether you're making nachos or hamburgers, this is one pepper that is at home in most recipes. However, there are a few things to remember when cooking with jalapenos. Before you start tossing in large amounts of jalapenos, let's discuss a few tips. Here are a few tips for cooking with jalapenos.
Choose the Best Peppers
When shopping for jalapenos, you want to consider what you'll be using the peppers for. For example, if you're making jalapeno poppers, you would want large peppers that will hold a good amount of cheese. However, don't get confused by the size of the pepper and heat level. While it's true that smaller varieties of peppers have a higher amount of heat, that doesn't mean that smaller jalapenos will be hotter than the large jalapenos. This means you shouldn't be afraid to purchase small peppers when that's all that's available.
Always Wear Gloves
While jalapenos aren't known for being scorchingly hot, you still need to wear gloves when working with these peppers. The capsicum can get on your hands while you're cutting the peppers and it can be hard to wash off. The next thing you know, you rub your eye and find yourself in a world of pain. Always wear gloves.
Remove the Seeds and Ribs to Reduce Heat Levels
Most of the heat in jalapenos is housed in the seeds and ribs of the pepper. To reduce the heat levels, you simply need to use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and ribs. However, if you love heat, just leave the seeds and ribs in the pepper. Some people even use a combination. For example, when making salsa, you might use one jalapeno with the seeds and one without.
Mince Jalapenos for Recipes
Last, but not least, when adding jalapenos to recipes, you want to mince the pepper. No one wants to bite into a large piece of jalapeno. To mince the jalapeno, cut the pepper in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and ribs, cut the pepper into strips and then small cubes. This will ensure that heat goes throughout the recipe and no one gets a big bite of pepper.
Cooking with jalapenos isn't difficult. In fact, it can be a wonderful way to venture into the world of spicy foods.
