Chile Jam Recipes

CHILI PEPPER JAM

Steps:

• In a pot, combine the chili peppers, red bell peppers, and apple cider vinegar. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for about 20 minutes or until the peppers have softened. In a colander, drain the pepper mixture and with the back of a wooden spoon, press on the peppers to extract any excess liquid.
• Transfer the peppers to a food mill or a blender and puree. Press the puree through a sieve to remove the pepper skin. Discard the skin. In a saucepot, over medium heat, add the pepper puree and add the sugar a little at a time and mix until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook the mixture for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat when the mixture resembles a jam texture. Allow to cool and transfer into jars.

GARLIC ANCHO CHILE JAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut off and discard tops of garlic heads to expose cloves and rub each head with 1/2 tablespoon oil. Wrap heads together in foil and bake in middle of oven until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool to warm.
• While garlic is roasting, toast chiles in a dry heavy skillet over moderate heat, turning, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Soak chiles in hot water until softened, about 20 minutes, then drain.
• Squeeze garlic from skins into a food processor and purée with chiles, vinegar, honey, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and salt to taste. Force purée through a sieve into a bowl.
• Available at Latino markets and Kitchen/Market (888-468-4433).

TOMATO CHILE JAM

Steps:

• Open the can of tomatoes and drain the liquid into a food processor or blender. Reserve the tomatoes.
• Slice 3 to 6 fresh red chile peppers (depending on their heat) and add to the blender or processor with garlic, ginger and fish sauce. Blend until smooth.
• Pour into a pan, add the diced tomatoes and vinegar and sugar. Simmer until thick and syrupy, about an hour. Natural pectin in the tomatoes gives the sauce its jammy consistency.
• When cool, transfer to containers or jars, and keep refrigerated.

TOMATO CHILLI (CHILE) JAM

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a two-quart saucepan. Add mustard seeds and cook until they pop.
• Add onion and stir for about 30 seconds, then add all other ingredients.
• Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it and stir frequently. You don't want it to burn.
• When the jam has thickened to your preference, turn off heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Then zap with a stick blender to puree it slightly. You want it to stay on the chunky side.
• Bottle and store in the fridge. Use within two weeks. I find it improves with age.

MONTE CRISTO WITH APPLE-HATCH CHILE JAM

Steps:

• To make the jam, combine apple, jalapeño, chiles, sugar, vinegar, salt, and 3 Tbsp. water in a small saucepan or pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Cook at a low simmer, stirring every so often, until most of the liquid has cooked off and apples are soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and mashing apples with a wooden spoon or potato masher, until apples have completely broken down and mixture has thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• In a wide, low dish, combine eggs, milk, and a pinch of kosher salt. Whisk until very well combined, then set aside.
• To assemble the sandwiches, spread a heaping tablespoon of jam on all four slices of bread. On two slices, layer half the grated cheese (or one slice), two slices ham, and then the remaining cheese. Top with the other slices of bread. Compress each sandwich slightly.
• Working one at a time, place the assembled sandwiches in the dish of beaten egg. Let the bread soak up the egg for 30 seconds, then flip and repeat on the other side. Repeat with the remaining sandwich, transferring the soaked sandwiches to a separate plate.
• Heat butter and olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high until melted. Add sandwiches; cook 2-3 minutes per side, pressing down slightly, until browned and crisp. Transfer to a cutting board to halve before serving.