What is Chipotle?
Imagine yourself in early Mexico. Among the Aztecs it was common practice to smoke the jalapeño crop to preserve these spicy fruits (yes, they are fruits). The method worked so well that early European visitors to Mesoamerica were able to ship them home and, some time later, start making their own chipotle BBQ sauce.
What is chipotle?
Chipotle starts life as a jalapeño, which is green before it ripens. The name joins two Aztec words, chilli (a hot pepper) and poctli (smoke), to give you a smoked chilli: a chipotle.
The jalapeño is left on the vine to ripen until it turns a deep ruby red and develops a rich, fruity sweetness. That sweetness is a big part of its distinctive flavour once it has been smoked, dried and used to spice up Mexican and Mexican-inspired food.
How to make chipotle BBQ sauce
The secret to a good chipotle sauce is how you combine the chipotle chillies with the base and the other ingredients. Recipes and proportions vary, but start with a good quality ketchup or tomato sauce as the base.
Typical additions include brown sugar or molasses for sweetness, tangy apple cider vinegar, garlic and onion, cumin, paprika, a little Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Simmer everything over a low heat until it thickens into a rich, smoky sauce.
What does chipotle sauce taste like?
The tangy sweetness of a traditional BBQ sauce, combined with the smokiness of chipotle, gives a spicy, punchy flavour that adds pizzazz to a wide range of dishes.
For chilli fans, chipotle scores a modest 2,500 to 8,000 on the Scoville scale, which is towards the milder end of the heat spectrum.
With its balance of smoke, sweetness and heat, chipotle sauce works wonders as a marinade for grilled meats, a topping for burgers, chicken, ribs or pork chops, or a dipping sauce. Try it in our Chipotle BBQ Chicken recipe.
How do you pronounce chipotle?
It is easy: chi-POHT-lay. And it might just help your pronunciation to sample some Cottage Delight Smoky Chipotle Barbecue Sauce first. Whether you are grilling, roasting or dipping, it is the perfect companion for anyone who craves a smoky, spicy kick.
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Cottage Delight is a British producer of sauces, chutneys, jams and gifts, distributed in Australia by Gourmet & Lifestyle Brands. See the full Cottage Delight range, or if you are not a stockist yet, apply for a wholesale account.
This article comes from our friends at Cottage Delight.