Any Tips for Working with Jalapenos?

[laylaleigh]

I have a show tonight and I am make the brie with the jalapenos. I have never cooked with them before. It is suggested to wear gloves. Any tips? Do you think I should just chop them before the show.

Also if you have made this recipe before did you use the entire thing or half?

Thanks!!
Layla

 

[chefann]

I've made it with the entire pepper. Removing the seeds and the membrane really tames the heat, although some peppers are hotter than others (you can taste a small nibble of the pepper before you mix the chopped pepper into the preserves).

Gloves are the way to go when working with hot peppers. They keep the oils off your skin, where they can linger for hours, even after you wash your hands. If you don't have any from supply order, check local restaurant supply shops (like Gordon Food Service).

 

[quiverfull7]

You can show the core and more to clean out the seeds and membrane too so that adds that product if you want instead of doing it ahead. I sold two core and mores last week at one show by showing it that way and then talking about strawberries and tomatoes as well.

 

[finley1991]

Don't even attempt to work with a jalapeno without gloves. My sister suffered severe burns on her skin from not wearing gloves. It was horrible.

 

[priscilla]

I never wear gloves when only doing one or two peppers, and have never had a problem. Wash with soap before touching your eyes.

If you are cutting up a lot of hot peppers (if making larges quantities of salsa, fo example) then definitely wear gloves!

Robin

 

[chefheidi2003]

Trust me I had a very painful experience one time so I will not handle jalapenos without gloves.

 

[ShanaSmith]

I dont' wear gloves either. I do have a tip though. I always use my garlic press on Jalapenos. I cut the end off and cut it in half, then you my core n more to revome the seeds and membrane. Then just cut it into chunks, about 1/3 and press away. that way you don't have to handle it quite as much and you get very small pieces and the juice that mix in my easier.
HTH

 

[chefheidi2003]

I dont' wear gloves either. I do have a tip though. I always use my garlic press on Jalapenos. I cut the end off and cut it in half, then you my core n more to revome the seeds and membrane. Then just cut it into chunks, about 1/3 and press away. that way you don't have to handle it quite as much and you get very small pieces and the juice that mix in my easier.
HTH

That is a great idea.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I never wear gloves and we use jalepenos several times a week.
I sometimes use food chopper or salad choppers but usually prefer to cut them with our new knives.
I do remove the seeds with tomato corer (the new one is too awkward for me)
our favorite recipe
Slice jalepenos in half remove seeds fill with cream cheese and sharp shredded cheddar. Wrap with bacon cut into about 4" strips (I microwave it a little ) Broil or grill until bacon is fully cooked.
We make extras to put on hamburgers

 

[nikked]

I chop the jalepeno in the food chopper lid, then remove the entire clear part, and scrape it out from there (learned from a downline gal). I use the seeds and membrane, but a lot of that comes from the area we are. They LIKE it hot here!

I don't use gloves, because all I do is cut the stem off, then chop the whole thing. If I was messing with the seeds and membranes, you bet your booty I'd be using gloves!

HTH...SIID!

 

[kspry]

I don't use gloves when handling hot peppers, but I always wash my hands with soap right after touching them.
Don't just rinse with water - use soap!

 

[rwester]

Jalapeno infoThis thread reminded me of some info I had.

Garlic Press:
- Press garlic (duh)
- Press gingerroot (peel skin first)
- Crush bouillon cubes (powder dissolved more quickly)
- Crush pills for kids or animals
- Make hair from playdough
- Jalapeno pepper – put small piece in, press and release the juice and fine pulp. This allows the “heat” to distribute evenly with no bits to shock you later.

Now, Jalapeno recipes & info attached.

Rita

 

[laylaleigh]

Thanks for the tips. I love the flyer!! I will use it for my show tomorrow. I didn't use gloves tonight, mainly b/c I didn't have any and didn't have to time to run BACK to the store. It worked out fine. No burning skin. I was really careful though.

 

[kspry]

Excellent, laylaleigh!

Thanks for the recipes, rwester. I love jalapeno poppers.

 

[DebbieJ]

Also, if you're going to be cutting/chopping other things, make sure to use a separate cutting board. The oils from the jalapeno will stay on the board and if you go to cut something else, it will pick it up.