Adding Heat to sunflower seeds

[FLBentRider]

I often brine raw (shelled) sunflower seeds for a few hours, then dry and roast. I have attempted to add some heat in the form of cayenne pepper into the brine with limited results. Since the pepper is not water soluble, it does not penetrate the seeds, so it ends up falling off during drying or roasting.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get the heat in and make it stick ?

[deb415611]

FL,

I wonder if using  egg white beaten til frothy with the pepper after the brining would help keep the pepper on. 

Deb

[Swedesmoker]

As the cayenne is not water soultant, why not make an oil-based brine? the pepper will have no choise there and to me the problem will be solved. As a perosnal note I could think of a dark balsamic vinegar brine to the "heat" you are looking for. that mihgt just do the trick.

Oil, dark balsamic, cayenne. I have to try that myself it even sounds tasty :)

Anywy just a thought.

[Smoking Duck]

Couldn't you toss some cayenne on them while they're drying and roasting?  Never done them before but if the cayenne is in contact when they're drying, wouldn't some have to stick just by accident?

[KyNola]

FLBR,
What about jacking up the brine with your favorite hot sauce?  ???

KyNola

[FLBentRider]

SD,
Some of it sticks, but more ends up in the bottom of the container.

KyNola - I'll have to try that.

[FLBentRider]

I can tell you that brining sunflower seeds in a vacuum canister does nor take very long. Three hours and they were uber salty. I had to cut the batch with a package of unsalted roasted seeds from the store.

[NePaSmoKer]

FLBR,
What about jacking up the brine with your favorite hot sauce?  ???

KyNola

With you NyNola

I have some Blairs 2 and 3 am if you need some. Like wicked hot  ;D

nepas

[IKnowWood]

What if you added some Turbonido Sugar in the Brine, then sprinkle the cayane as soon as you take it out of the wet solution.  The sugar should make the seeds sticky for that instance once out.