Ingredient Information

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo

Chipotles are jalapeno chilies that have been smoked and dried. The intense flavor is spicy and has lovely undertones of smoke, chocolate and sweet peppers. If the peppers are not going to cook for very long, you can soften them by steaming for about ten minutes.

Usually found in ethnic or gourmet markets, dried chipotles are also sold packed in cans in adobo. This is a sauce made of vinegar, dried chili peppers, herbs and spices, usually in a tomato puree.

Once you open the can of chipotle peppers, you can divide them into small ziplock bags and freeze them. They don’t take long to thaw and are pretty close to those fresh out of the can.  (See Also: Hot Peppers)

Related Articles

Will eating spicy foods help you lose weight?
There has been research that indicates eating meals spiced with chilies increases fat burning as well as the amount of energy used by the body. Researchers have felt that this might be an approach to fighting obesity, and in an interesting study reported in this month’s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006;84:63-69), a group of 36 volunteers agreed to eat chilies for the advancement of science.

More hot research!
I reported last year on a study that evaluated the effect of eating chilies on blood sugar levels and metabolism (Hot research! 7/14/06). Unfortunately, that study’s results suggested only that the amount of insulin needed to control a person’s blood sugar might be decreased after eating a meal containing chilies, but that the amount of energy the person burned – their basal metabolism – was unaffected.

Rice, Chilis, GERD and IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by chronic symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea (or both). As many as 15% of people in the United States suffer from this disorder, which is treated both with medications and also with dietary adjustments. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms of acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus: heartburn is the most common symptom. It is also treated with medications and dietary adjustments.

Recipes Using Chipotle Peppers or Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce

Salmon with Salsa and Chipotle Mayonnaise
Shrimp with Chipotle Sauce
Chipotle Jack Grilled Grit Cakes
Chipotle Seviche
Refried Black Beans
Chicken Mole
Lentil Chili
Chile Rellenos
Spicy Grits
Quickie Orange Chicken Thighs