Candied jalapeños have lots of uses, but this recipe is my favorite. It reminds me of classic pimento cheese, but with an extra kick of flavor and a dose of fun. You can serve it as a spread or dip straight from a cute bowl, but I like to mold it into cheese balls. Sometimes, I make small ones about the size of a walnut that I affectionately call Cheese Bonbons, but you can also make a standard-size cheese ball.
Makes about 2 cups
Stir together the candied jalapenos, pecans, scallions, brine, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl. Add the mayonnaise and stir to combine. Add the cheese and pecans, and fold to combine.
Cover and chill for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight. Shape into several small balls or one large ball and coat in chopped pecans, if you like. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes or so before serving solo or with crackers.
©Copyright 2024 Sheri Castle
Many of us call this recipe Cowboy Candy. By any name, the combination of heat and sweetness is irresistible. The sugar tames the peppers a bit and the zesty spices make a delicious syrupy brine. This quick, easy recipe proves that it’s super simple to make a small batch of something to stash in the fridge for a few months without having to go to the trouble of traditional canning and preserving.
Jalapeños, which are easy to find and aren’t too hot for most folks, are a go-to choice, but you can use any combo of hot peppers. This recipe is a smart and tasty way to use up a glut of peppers when they kick into high season.
You can use Cowboy Candy as a garnish, relish, condiment, sandwich topping, or an ingredient in another delicious recipe, such as the Candied Jalapeños Cheese Spread featured in The Key Ingredient. Use any leftover syrup in salad dressings, slaw, or cocktails.
Makes 2 pints
Have ready two squeaky clean, 1-pint jars with tight-fitting lids.
Remove the stems from the jalapeños and slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place the sugar, vinegar, granulated garlic, turmeric, ginger, and celery seed in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the jalapeños, stir to combine, and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes, stirring often. Use a wide-mouth funnel and slotted spoon to transfer the jalapeños into the jars. Slowly pour in enough syrup to cover the peppers. Stir gently with a chopstick or skewer to remove any air bubbles. Top off with a little more syrup, if needed. Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp cloth and close the jars.
Let stand undisturbed until cooled to room temperature and then refrigerate until deeply chilled, at least overnight. For the best flavor, wait at least one week before serving. Store refrigerated for up to 3 months.
©Copyright 2024 Sheri Castle
Sheri Castle creates a candied jalapeño cheese ball that serves as a lovely party centerpiece.
Sheri Castle, award-winning food writer and cooking teacher, is known for melding culinary expertise, storytelling and humor, so she can tell a tale while making a memorable meal. Her creative, well-crafted recipes and practical advice inspire people to cook with confidence and enthusiasm. She's written a tall stack of cookbooks and her work appears in dozens of magazines. In 2019, the Southern Foodways Alliance named Sheri among Twenty Living Legends of Southern Food, calling her The Storyteller.
Sheri says that she's fueled by great ingredients and the endless pursuit of intriguing stories, usually about the role that food plays in our lives, families, communities and culture.
When she steps away from the kitchen or a local farm, Sheri enjoys spending quiet time at her home near Chapel Hill. She hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
In each episode of "The Key Ingredient," renowned food writer and cooking teacher Sheri Castle celebrates beloved ingredients, tracing their journeys from source to kitchen. Sheri introduces us to farmers, chefs and other food experts, sharing stories, recipes and tips along the way. Join Sheri & friends to learn the stories behind some of North Carolina's most beloved ingredients.