red-chile-scallops

Red Chile Scallops with Cool Mango-Mint Salsa

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First rubbed with Red Chile Rub, then topped with a sweet mango salsa, these scallops are like yin and yang, a perfect balance between cool and spicy. When served, the scallops should look like they have been dusted with confetti, so when making the salsa, be sure to finely dice all of the vegetables.

Ingredients

Equipment: Cast Iron Grid
Set the EGG for direct cooking with the Cast Iron Grid.
Preheat the EGG to 500 degrees F.

Ingredients

Mango-Mint Salsa:
3/4 cup diced fresh mango
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound large sea scallops (12)
2 tablespoons Red Chile Rub (see recipe)

Instructions

Using a wooden spoon, combine the mango, bell pepper, red onion, scallions, mint, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir well. Set aside.

Season the scallops generously with the chile rub and place on the Grid. Close the lid of the EGG and grill the scallops for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden and lightly cooked. Transfer the scallops to a platter.

To assemble the dish, place 3 scallops on each plate and top with 1/4 cup of the salsa. Serve immediately.

Red Chile & Lime Shortbread Cookies (275x183)

Red Chile & Lime Shortbread Cookies

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This traditional butter shortbread has a bit of Red Chile Rub added, giving these cookies a sublte hint of heat. Scoring the dough into wedges before it is baked makes it very easy to break into individual cookies. Once cooled, gently break the cookies along the lines. This dough may also be rolled out and cut with a cookie cutter, if you prefer.

Equipment: Plate Setter, 9-inch round cake pan
Set the EGG for indirect cooking with the Plate Setter, legs down.
Preheat the EGG to 300 degrees F.

Ingredients

Ingredients
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons lime zest (1 to 2 limes)
1 teaspoon Red Chile Rub (see recipe)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, salt, lime zest, and Red Chile Rub on low speed until the butter is creamed but not completely smooth. Scrape the butter off the sides of the bowl. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour until the dough forms a ball.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough 1/4 inch thick. Place the dough in the cake pan. Spread the dough evenly with your fingers, pressing the dough into the edges of the pan. Using a paring knife, score the dough into 8 to 12 equal wedges. Do not cut all the way through the dough.

Place the cake pan on the Plate Setter. Close the lid of the EGG and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until light brown. Let the shortbread cool.

Break the shortbread into wedges and serve.

Red Chile Rub

Red Chile Rub

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Ancho chiles are the dried version of the poblano pepper. They are also the sweetest of the dried chiles. Here ground ancho chile is mixed with toasted spices to produce a favorite rub. It has even found its way into Red Chile & Lime Shortbread Cookies (see recipe).

Ingredients

Ingredients
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon coriander seed
1 tablespoon red chile flakes
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Toast the cumin seed, coriander seed, and chile flakes in a small skillet on the stovetop for about 5 minutes, or until fragrant. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Transfer the toasted spices to a spice grinder along with the chile powder, salt, paprika, and garlic powder. Grind for 15 to 20 seconds, until the spices are completely ground. Transfer to an airtight container until ready to use.

Dave’s Fresh Red Chile Sauce

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This method of making chile sauce differs from others using fresh New 
Mexican chiles because these chiles aren't roasted and peeled first. 
Because of the high sugar content of fresh red chiles, this sauce is 
sweeter than most. I harvested some chiles from his garden one late 
summer day, made a batch of this sauce, and ate every drop as a soup! It 
makes a tasty enchilada sauce, too.

Ingredients

1/4 cup vegetable oil
8 fresh red New Mexican chiles, seeds and stems removed, chopped (or 
more, to taste)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
4 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano leaves
Salt to taste

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and saute the chiles, onion, and garlic 
until the onion is soft, about 7 minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and 
simmer for 1 hour, uncovered.
In a blender, puree the sauce in batches and return it to the saucepan. 
Cook until the sauce thickens to the desired consistency. Add salt to taste.

Another Chile-Flavored Vodka

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When I write “flavored,” I mean it, as I have chosen the chiles that 
impart the most distinct flavors. The raisiny flavor of the pasilla 
melds with the apricot overtones of the habanero and the earthiness of 
the New Mexican chile to create a finely-tuned fiery sipping vodka. Of 
course, use an excellent vodka like Stolichnaya or Absolut. Note: This 
recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

1 liter vodka
1 pasilla chile, seeds and stems removed, cut into thin strips
1/2 dried red New Mexican chile pod, seeds and stems removed, cut in fourths
1/4 habanero chile, seeds and stems removed, left whole

Instructions

Open the bottle of vodka and drink some of it to make room in the 
bottle. Add the chiles and recap. Let sit for at least 3 days to 
generate some heat, and the vodka will get progressively hotter over the 
weeks. As you drink the vodka, replace it with more fresh vodka, and the 
process will go on for some time.