Commonly used for dishes like rajas con crema and chiles relleno, Poblano peppers are large and heart-shaped. Many cooks see them as ideal for stuffing because of the sturdiness of their walls and the mildness of their flavor. Most poblanos clock in at about 2,000 on the Scoville scale, which makes them a little milder than the jalapeño. When dried, poblanos are called ancho chilies. Uses for ancho chilies include as the main ingredient in sauces for enchiladas and in some moles. Like most other chili peppers, poblanos are considered highly nutritious and contain many compounds that support health.
Matt Bray
Who Invented Hot Sauce? A History In Brief
Chili peppers are believed to be among the earliest plants cultivated by humans. Their use goes all the way back to the beginning of civilization. Archeological digs have found evidence of chili peppers being eaten as far back as 7,000 BC. Several millennia later, chili peppers would be domesticated. It was around this time that the earliest hot sauces were invented; this shows that humans have a long history of using them as condiments to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of foods. Early hot sauces would have been consumed on early versions of the corn tortilla. They consisted of the peppers along with water and perhaps herbs. In short, the Aztecs are who invented hot sauce.
Cayenne Pepper Nutrition: How Healthy Are They?
Cayenne pepper is best known for its ability to increase the heat level of dishes and is prized by lovers of spicy foods the world over. This type of chili pepper is especially popular in Mexican and Mexican-influenced cuisine. However, the cayenne pepper is much more than a mere flavor enhancer. Cayenne peppers provide an array of nutritional benefits along with their heat. Those benefits result from high levels of nutrients and health-improving compounds. Let’s break down why this chili is so good for you.
Tandoori Masala Spice Mix
A delicious and surprisingly versatile Indian spice…
If you love the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine, then you’ll certainly love using a tandoori masala spice mix in the kitchen. This seasoning is delicious and surprisingly versatile. You can use it, of course, for the traditional Indian yogurt-based tandoori marinade. But try it as well sprinkled on vegetables (we love it on fried potatoes). Or use it as a simple meat rub, as a burger spice, or even as a salad seasoning.
Paprika provides a little simmering heat, but there’s some additional cayenne pepper powder in the recipe to up the spiciness. Feel free to use whole spices that are ground fresh rather than spice rack powders. They’ll provide a more aromatic and flavorful spice mix.
If you like exotic seasoning with a little heat, don’t miss some more of our favorite seasoning recipes: berbere spice mix, harissa seasoning, and ras el hanout. Or turn the ever-popular Sriracha sauce into a delicious spicy seasoning with our Sriracha powder recipe.
Jalapeño Nutrition: How Healthy Are They?
Jalapeños are popular in the United States (and around the world) largely because of their moderate level of heat and their relatively mild flavor. But did you know that there’s a lot to be said for jalapeño nutrition as well? These Mexican peppers contain significant amounts of several nutrients that help to improve your health, along with giving your nachos and salsa a tasty spark. Let’s break down the many jalapeño benefits.
Chilly Chili: The Family-Friendly Ornamental Pepper
Beautiful and very mild…
Scoville heat units (SHU): 1 – 1,000
Jalapeño reference point: 2 to 8,000 times milder
Origin: USA
Seeds: Chilly chili on Amazon
Behind the beauty of most ornamental peppers lies intense heat, but not the Chilly Chili. These peppers are closer to a bell pepper in spiciness than a jalapeño, making their beauty very family-friendly in comparison. If keeping your edible garden “colorful yet mild” is key, this hot pepper is a perfect choice. The Chilly Chili plant’s bright bunches of yellow, orange, and red peppers really are a standout, both in containers and outdoor gardens.
Freezing Bell Peppers: A Step-By-Step
Freezing is an important technique for preserving ripe, in-season fruits and vegetables. Bell peppers are among the easiest types of produce to freeze. For starters, you do not need to blanch them before you freeze them, which makes the process a lot easier. You can also use frozen bell peppers in many of the same ways that you use them when fresh; however, remember that they can lose their crispness after thawing. As a result, they are better for cooked preparations rather than raw ones. Add them to your soups, stews, and to chili.
Freezing bell peppers may seem simple, but you will need to follow the right steps to make the process as efficient as possible. The step-by-step below will ensure that the peppers taste their best after thawing and that they retain both their color and their flavor.
Bell Pepper Benefits: How Healthy Are They?
There are more bell pepper benefits than you may know…
Bell peppers often get less attention among peppers because they do not contain capsaicin, the substance that makes hot peppers hot and that provides a range of cancer-fighting benefits. Despite their inability to make your eyes water, bell peppers do provide their own set of compounds for enhancing health. Their nutrients include minerals, vitamins and a range of antioxidants. These health-boosting compounds are essential for the treatment and prevention of certain serious diseases.
Here are some of the many bell pepper benefits and how they can improve your health:
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing all amped up…
For those that love the creamy tang of ranch dressing, get ready for a taste bud revolution. Chipotle ranch dressing takes what’s best with ranch and layers in heat and a hint of smoke. It turns an everyday salad into something bold.
This touch of Tex-Mex serves more than simply salad, too. As a veggie dipper, it’s delicious. We especially love the chipotle pepper smokiness paired with the sweetness of carrots. And if you’re having buffalo wings, try chipotle ranch instead of the regular plain Jane dressing for a little extra fire.
Chipotle Taco Seasoning
Ready for a smokier taco?
If you’re a fan of smoky flavor, prepping up a chipotle taco seasoning before taco night will make you very happy. This spice blend uses common spice rack ingredients and brings the smoke through both chipotle powder and smoked paprika. We kick in a little cayenne pepper to increase the overall heat just a touch.
Don’t limit this tasty seasoning to tacos. You can use it anywhere taco of Mexican seasoning is called for to add a little south-of-the-border flare to your meal. It’s delicious simply mixed with ranch dressing for a quick dip or use it as a dry rub on chicken, pork, or steak to add a smoky, earthy heat.