Rio Grande Valley Pepper Vinegar Recipes

RIO GRANDE VALLEY STYLE CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Cube meat (about 1"), removing all fat and gristle.
• Sear meat in oil.
• Add water and cook on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Toast cumin seeds in a small sauté skillet on medium-high until they begin to smoke slightly.
• Grind the hot cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle.
• Add oregano, ground toasted cumin, black pepper, salt and garlic to the meat.
• Add vegetables (bell pepper, onion and tomato) and continue to cook about 30 minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, chili powder and paprika.
• Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
• While the meat is simmering, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small sauté pan and add flour over medium-low heat.
• Stir the flour and oil constantly until the flour turns a light golden brown (roux).
• Add the roux to the meat and continue to simmer for about another 30 minutes.
• Serve carne guisada with rice and beans and flour or corn tortillas.
• Note: can speed the cooking time by using a pressure cooker.

TEX-MEX RICE FROM THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Steps:

• Soak the rice - In a large bowl, pour hot water over rice and let stand 25 minutes.
• While the rice is soaking, cut up the vegetables, and grind the cumin.
• Drain into a sieve and rise well in cold water. Shake sieve and let drain a while until rice stops dripping.
• While the rice is draining, heat oil in a skillet on medium heat.
• Brown the Rice - Once oil is hot, stir in rice, making sure grains are well coated with oil. Saute rice for about 10 minutes until golden brown, stirring often. If any rice starts turning dark brown, stir constantly.
• Stir in all the ingredients except chicken broth (tomato sauce, tomato, bell pepper, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper). Cook for 3 minutes on medium heat or until almost dry, stirring constantly.
• Stir in chicken broth and then do not stir again until cooking is complete. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Change heat to Low, cook covered, for 20 minutes.

PEPPER VINEGAR

Steps:

• In a sterilized 1-pint Mason-type jar (sterilizing procedure ) pack chiles. In a small bowl stir together remaining ingredients until salt is dissolved and pour over chiles. Seal jar with lid. Let pepper vinegar stand at cool room temperature at least 3 weeks and up to 6 months.

PEPPER VINEGAR

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups distilled white vinegar, 2 dried chiles de árbol, and 2 Scotch bonnet chiles (or any of your favorite dried or fresh chiles), quartered lengthwise, in a 1-pint jar. Seal and shake. Let sit at room temperature for 1 week before using.