Chipotles and all their processed forms are very versatile. With the possible exception of desserts, cooks can use them in just about any recipe. For example, add a few dashes of a chipotle hot sauce to a bloody mary and taste the difference!

Storage

Many cooks have success storing chipotles in a zip-lock bag in a cool and dry location. If humidity is kept out of the bags, the chipotle will last for twelve to twenty-four months. A more secure method to store them at room temperature is to keep them in glass jars with a tight-fitting, rubber-sealed top.

Of course, the best storage of all is to freeze them. Use heavy-duty freezer bags and double-bag the chipotles. They will keep for years with no noticeable loss of flavor or smoke.

Making Chipotle Powder

A "dried" chipotle usually has about 80 to 90 percent of its moisture removed, which is enough, with the smoke, to preserve it and retard bacterial growth, but not enough to create a powder. Therefore, regardless of whether you are using the típico chipotle or the morita, they must be further dried in a food dehydrator or in the oven on the lowest possible heat, until they are so dry that you can snap them in half.

Put on a painter’s mask to protect you from uncontrollable sneezing, and break the chipotles into manageable pieces. Use an electric spice mill or a coffee grinder to reduce the pod pieces to a powder.

Because they are so desiccated, the chipotle powder stores well in air-tight containers such as small jars. But remember, powders will oxidize and absorb odors from from the air or the freezer, so if you intend to freeze the powders or store them in bags at room temperature, triple-bag them first. It is best to store the powder in a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Flavor Elements

Chef and author Mark Miller described the flavor of chipotles in one of his books as "smoky and sweet in flavor with tobacco and chocolate tones, a Brazil nut finish, and a subtle, deep, rounded heat." In another book, he added "leather, coffee, and mushrooms" as flavor components. We believe that smoked jalapeńos are much more interesting and flavorful than the fresh ones.

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Rehydrating Chipotles

Unless you are going to make powder, both the típico and morita varieties of chipotles will need to be rehydrated. Bring a pot of water to a boil, turn off the heat, and add the chipotles. Depending upon their degree of dessication, the chiles should absorb water and be fully hydrated between 1 and 4 hours.. The left over water, which will have some flavor, can be used in making chipotle sauces. Usually after rehydrating, the seeds and stems are removed before use in a recipe.

Canned Chipotles

Chipotles canned in adobo sauce are already rehydrated, and, of course, are flavored by the tomato-based sauce. Cooks must decide, depending on the recipe, whether or not to rinse off the chipotles to remove most the tomato flavor, or to use the chipotles with the sauce.

Using Chipotle Powder

Powdered chipotles are used just like any other chile powder. The powder, if properly stored, retains its smoky flavor and is great for use in rubs for smoked meats, in sauces, and in chili con carne. Remember that the chipotle powder will be much hotter than red chile powder made with New Mexican chiles, and hotter than commercial "chili" powder that has other spices added. Substitute 1 teaspoon chipotle powder for each chipotle called for in the recipe.

Other Substitutions

Any smoked chile pod, sauce, paste, or powder may be substituted for any other. Remember, generally speaking, the smaller the chile, the hotter it is, so cobans will be hotter than moritas and moritas hotter than pasillas de Oaxaca. The only exception is the smoked habanero, which is larger and hotter than the coban.

When substituting sauces for chipotle pods, an approximate equivalent is one tablespoon of sauce per pod. Some cookbooks recommend cayenne hot sauce mixed with liquid smoke as a substitute, but we find this to be inferior to the real thing.

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Recipes

Chuck’s Chipotle Sauce

This is a version of Chuck’s number one brown hot sauce, Smokey Chipotle Hot SauceŽ

that he manufactures under the Montezuma Brand. If dried chipotle chiles are available, place them in a bowl and cover with distilled vinegar. After several days, the chiles will be reconstituted and plump. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

• 12 reconstituted chipotle chiles

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, sliced

• 3 cups water

• 1/4 cup cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup tomato sauce

• Salt to taste

• 2 cups white distilled vinegar (or more or less)

Place all the ingredients except the white vinegar in a saucepan, cover and simmer over low heat for about an hour or until the liquid is reduced to about 1 ˝ cups. Transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender and puree.

Combine the puree and the white vinegar in a bowl and mix thoroughly to the desired consistency. Strain the sauce through a sieve and discard the solids. Bottle in sterilized jars.

Yield: About 3 cups

Heat Scale: Hot

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Chipotle-Tomatillo Sauce

Ah, the smoky flavor of the chipotle--or is that a meco or morita, other types of smoked chiles? It won't matter for this sauce, for any smoked chile will work. If using dried chipotles, be sure to soak them first in water to soften them. This is a great sauce for grilled or barbecued meat or poultry.

• 1 onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 pound tomatillos, halved

• 1 large tomato, chopped

• ˝ cup chicken broth

• ˝ teaspoon Mexican oregano

• 3 canned chipotle chiles in adobo

• 1 teaspoon vinegar

• Salt to taste

In a skillet, saute the onions and garlic in the oil until soft and slightly browned.

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except the salt and puree. Transfer the puree to a skillet and simmer for 20 minutes to thicken slightly. Salt to taste.

Yield: 4 cups

Heat Scale: Medium

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Chipotle-Corn Salsa with Poblanos and Morels

One of the tenets of New Southwestern cooking is the innovative combination of farm-fresh ingredients. This recipe, made with mostly New World foods, is a good example. Serve with roasted meats and poultry, such as mesquite-grilled quail.

• 5 ears of corn in husks

• 5 tablespoons diced morels (or other wild mushrooms)

• 7 teaspoons olive oil

• 2 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, stems and seeds removed, diced

• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, minced

• 2 tablespoons minced cilantro

• 1 tablespoon chipotles in adobo, minced

• 2 teaspoons fresh marjoram, minced

• 1 teaspoon lime juice

• salt to taste

Place the corn on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, turning often, until the corn is blackened on all sides. Allow to cool.

Cook the morels in 2 teaspoons of the olive oil until well browned, about 10 minutes.

Shuck the corn and brush with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Grill or broil the corn until the kernels brown, about 10 minutes. Cut the kernels from the cob and reserve.

Combine the corn and the morels with the remaining ingredients (and the remaining olive oil) and mix well. Serve warm on a bed of greens.

Yield: 4 servings

Heat Scale: Mild

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Guacamole con Chipotle

Everyone’s tried the usual guacamole dip, but not everyone has experienced it smoky-style, as in this recipe. Traditionally, it is served with tortilla chips, but other chips work equally well, including out favorite, plantain chips. Serve within 3 hours of making.

• 2 ripe Haas Avocados, peeled and pitted

• 1 small white onion, minced

• 1 tomato, minced

• 1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice

• 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced

• Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and serve chilled.

Yield: 4 servings

Heat Scale: Medium

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Smokin’ Oyster Soup

When Dave was in college, he made soups similar to this one to use up excess Chesapeake Bay oysters. Unfortunately, he had never heard of chipotles at that time, but always adds them now.

• 3 jars fresh oysters

• 1 quart chicken stock

• 1 cup white wine

• 5 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped fine

• 1 white onion, chopped fine

• 4 slices bacon, shredded

• 4 slices ham, chopped

In a pan, combine all the ingredients and simmer, uncovered, over medium heat, for 30 minutes. Add additional wine, if desired.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Heat Scale: Medium

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Sopa de Pollo y Arroz con Chipotles

(Rice and Chicken Soup with Chipotles)

If chicken soup is good for the soul, when spiced with chipotles it’s great for the stomach as well. Serve this soup on a cold winter’s day, accompanied by a hearty bread.

• 3 quarts chicken broth

• 3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 pound mushrooms, slices

• 1 cup rice

• 4 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped

• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

• 4 tablespoons lemon or lime juice

• 1 tablespoon dried cilantro flakes

• 2 tablespoons fresh dill

In a stockpot, bring the chicken broth to a boil and add the celery, mushrooms, rice, and chipotles. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Add the chicken, lemon or lime juice, cilantro, and dill and simmer for 10 minutes.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Heat Scale: Medium

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Chipotle Rellenos (Stuffed Chipotles)

Yes, even chipotle chiles can be stuffed. Here we use a meat and cheese filling, but other ingredients can be added, such as raisins. Chicken or shrimp can be substituted for the meat.

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 white onion, chopped

• ˝ pound ground beef or pork

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 2 cups shredded mixed Monterey jack and cheddar cheese

• 24 chipotle chiles in adobo

• 2 cups commercial chipotle salsa

In a pan, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet and saute the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the onion to the beef, add the eggs, and mix well.

Saute the beef in the skillet until brown. Drain any excess fat from the meat.

Make a slit in each chile and remove the seeds. Spoon into the slit the meat mixture and an equal amount of the cheese mixture. Repeat until all chiles are stuffed.

Place the stuffed chiles in a casserole dish and spoon over the chipotle salsa. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 15 minutes, then serve hot.

Yield: 8 servings

Heat Scale: Hot

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Albondigas en Salsa Chipotle (Chipotle Meat Balls)

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