BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Recipe Discussions => Recipes in development => Topic started by: ArnieM on November 02, 2010, 01:09:42 PM

Title: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 02, 2010, 01:09:42 PM
This is the first time I've dehydrated anything.  I had quite a few of the Naga Jolokia peppers and a couple of red cherry peppers.  I put them on a rack and set the PID for 125.

It has been almost 5 hours so far and they're coming along.  I'm figuring on another 3 hours at least, maybe more.  I don't have a fan in the OBS.

I'll post back with the results.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: OU812 on November 02, 2010, 01:23:06 PM
TEASE.

Go ahead just leave us hangin.  ;D
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ronbeaux on November 02, 2010, 01:46:04 PM
Yes, do that. I am knee deep in jalapenos this year!
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: BuyLowSellHigh on November 02, 2010, 01:46:13 PM
Gee. thought you might smoke some of those Ghost peppers and make the weaponized version of a Chipotle.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: pensrock on November 03, 2010, 01:31:14 AM
I have smoked many types of peppers before then moved them into the drhydrator to finish. I normally cut the peppers in half to speed things up and allow better smoke. Nagas are thin walled so they should be fine, but the jalapenos will take a long time unless cut in half. IMHO
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 07:36:05 AM
All of the peppers were cut in half length-wise.  I did not apply smoke.  The PID was at 125 and total time was about 10 hours.  If I did this more I'd certainly get a dehydrator.

I didn't do any Jals but did a couple of red cherry peppers.  They are pretty thick skinned like a Jal.  They didn't dry completely.  I'll warm the oven up a bit and put the cherry peppers in there for a while.

One rack is shown below.

(http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/ArnieMauer/DehydratedPeppers.jpg)
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: OU812 on November 03, 2010, 07:47:34 AM
Now I can sleep tonight.  :D

Looke like your dehydrating experiment turned out perty good.

Takes bout the same mount of time in my dehydrator.

BYW them peppers you sent me were great is my chili, thanks.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: thirtydaZe on November 03, 2010, 08:04:01 AM
after drying peppers do you just eat them whole, or are they to be crushed and used in cooking?
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 08:09:10 AM
I'm going to turn them into pepper flakes.  The Nagas are way too hot to eat whole.  Wiki says each Naga has roughly the equivalent heat of 400 cayenne peppers.  These should last me the winter.  ;D
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: OU812 on November 03, 2010, 08:10:31 AM
Quote from: thirtydaZe on November 03, 2010, 08:04:01 AM
after drying peppers do you just eat them whole, or are they to be crushed and used in cooking?

I do both with mine, most I leave whole and drop them in chili and stuff.

But thats just me.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: thirtydaZe on November 03, 2010, 08:34:07 AM
sounds awesome.

i love crushed red peppers, so looks like this will be a new must for me.

pepperjoe will be doing an order very soon.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 08:58:05 AM
I got the Naga Jolokia seeds from pepper joe.  I started them indoors in mid Feb.  They're slow growers.  I didn't get peppers until late August.  Once they get going, they produce a lot of peppers.

The ones in the picture actually ripened in a brown paper bag in the last couple of weeks.  I was surprised they ripened so nicely.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: thirtydaZe on November 03, 2010, 09:38:43 AM
Quote from: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 08:58:05 AM
I got the Naga Jolokia seeds from pepper joe.  I started them indoors in mid Feb.  They're slow growers.  I didn't get peppers until late August.  Once they get going, they produce a lot of peppers.

The ones in the picture actually ripened in a brown paper bag in the last couple of weeks.  I was surprised they ripened so nicely.

that is a long grow cycle. 

doing some research on the process now.

since habanero's are readily available, let me ask, have you dried these for starters?
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 11:27:44 AM
I haven't dehydrated anything before thirty.  I'm on phase 2, drying a little more in the oven.  When I open the door my eyes tear.

The Naga peppers are a LOT hotter than Habs or Scotch Bonnets and they have to be handled with care.

Here's a Wiki link to the Nagas:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_jolokia
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: Tenpoint5 on November 03, 2010, 11:33:31 AM
Quote from: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 08:58:05 AM
I got the Naga Jolokia seeds from pepper joe.  I started them indoors in mid Feb.  They're slow growers.  I didn't get peppers until late August.  Once they get going, they produce a lot of peppers.

The ones in the picture actually ripened in a brown paper bag in the last couple of weeks.  I was surprised they ripened so nicely.

So what your saying is to get them and get them started now to have peppers in May/June
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 11:59:34 AM
Quote from: Tenpoint5 on November 03, 2010, 11:33:31 AM
Quote from: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 08:58:05 AM
I got the Naga Jolokia seeds from pepper joe.  I started them indoors in mid Feb.  They're slow growers.  I didn't get peppers until late August.  Once they get going, they produce a lot of peppers.

The ones in the picture actually ripened in a brown paper bag in the last couple of weeks.  I was surprised they ripened so nicely.

So what your saying is to get them and get them started now to have peppers in May/June

It's doubtful that would work Chris.  They like a lot of sun and heat.  Pepper Joe recommends a mid Feb start indoors.

I put the seeds into those little mesh-wrapped seed starters, along with other pepper seeds.  They went into a 15 gallon 'leaker' aquarium with a screen top to keep the cats out.  It was placed in a south-facing window.  After they were 2-3 inches tall, I transplanted to bathroom size Dixie cups with potting mix.  The Nagas were quite a bit smaller than the other peppers.

Once the weather turned warmer, I put the aquarium out on the deck for a few hours and brought it in at night; portable garden. 

Finally, I transplanted to my Earthbox in early June and left them on the deck (southern exposure).  That's when they started to take off.  They grow more like a bush rather than a 'regular' pepper plant.

I started six plants and gave two away.  Even with the four, I had more peppers than I could use.  I sent 40 or 50 out to forum members.

Next year I'll probably just do Jals and Pablanos.  Tonight is hot Italian sausage and peppers with two red Pablanos and 3-4 smaller green ones.  I really love the taste.  I'll probably throw a green Naga in there too - not too hot.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: SouthernSmoked on November 03, 2010, 06:52:15 PM
Heck yeah Arnie peppers look real good...
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 07:22:10 PM
I'll probably throw a green Naga in there too - not too hot.

Wrong, it was HOT.

Anyway, finished off the peppers in the electric oven; not nearly set and forget.  I'd let it heat to about 100 and then it coasted up to 170 or so.  It was heater on and off and opening the door to regulate.  Probably about 140 average.  My wife was out this morning.  When she came home she asked "What the HELL are you cooking?"  I hate to see her cry.  :-\

They're nice and crispy now and will be crushed tomorrow.  It was an interesting experiment.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: OU812 on November 04, 2010, 05:42:26 AM
Quote from: ArnieM on November 03, 2010, 07:22:10 PM

When she came home she asked "What the HELL are you cooking?" 

I get that all the time.  ::)
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: pensrock on November 04, 2010, 01:05:54 PM
Nagas are a very long growing pepper. I normally start on Valentines day for a fall harvest, I live in PA. Most other peppers I start the end of Feb. I have dehydrated smoked and fresh habs and they come out great. I normally use penos and cayenne for pepper flakes and the habs/nags grind fine into a powder. A little goes a long way.  :)
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 04, 2010, 01:20:03 PM
I have a commercial jar of the Jal flakes and I love 'em.  More taste than the red pepper flakes IMHO.

It was cold and rainy so I ground up the Nagas in the kitchen; not smart.  I have finally stopped sneezing.  Yeah, I think a little WILL go a long way.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: pensrock on November 04, 2010, 04:12:25 PM
I grind my peppers on the deck with a fan blowing on my back.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: BuyLowSellHigh on November 05, 2010, 03:46:54 AM
I think with the Nagas you really want a hazmat suit and Scott Air-Pak.

  :o   :D    ;D
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: huckaberry3 on November 12, 2010, 06:47:54 AM
I have done this before.  1 word of advise is to do this process outdoors or in the garage.  We did it indoors the first time and when we opened the grinder it was like someone busted open a tear gas canister.  Live and Learn.  As they said on the jolokia peppers a little goes a long long ways.  As a side note they do make the hottest wings around.
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: ArnieM on November 12, 2010, 09:51:11 AM
Mine are all ground.  I had a couple each of red Jals and Cherry peppers in there to.  I'm waiting to use it on some unsuspecting dinner guests.   ;D
Title: Re: Experiment - Dehydrating Peppers in the OBS
Post by: Carter on November 12, 2010, 10:00:35 AM
They are hot little devils!!!

Arnie sent me 3 of them (which was darn nice of him).  I put crushed one fresh one in vinegar and added garlic.  I splash it onto sandwhiches.  Really good.

The other two have been drying on the sill since I got them.  Haven't figured out what to do other than start growing them next Feb for something to do to make my wife raise her eyebrows at me.

The first one I opened, I didn't even take a bite, just ran my finger down the vein to pick up the juice.  Whoo man are these things hot.  Choking hot.

Good fun.

Nice work with the drying.

Carter