12:17 pm - Thu, Oct 27, 2011

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Hot-to-Trot Jalapenos Have a Sweet Side

Did you know that jalapenos turn red when they get cold? Did you also know that jalapenos are ridiculously good for you? What’s that? They’re too hot? Oh, well I have the perfect solution for you:

Straight from the bountiful valleys of Ojai, California - right in LA’s backyard - comes Ojai Jalapeno jelly, which has been featured in many different recipes and on television several times. Now it comes to you in a fabulous review from me, the Wannabe Gourmande of StyleCoven.com! Are you ready? Here we go!

The look:

Light olive/grass green color which is perfect if you’d like to add a little pep to your dishes. We spread them on sandwiches, but when spread on the inside of a nice thin crepe, then with a layer of greek yogurt and then with a layer of chopped chicken - when rolled and cut crosswise you’re bound to end up with a fun and colorful(and healthy) way to snack. The sheen from the jelly is slightly reminiscent of gummy bears fresh out of the package.

The smell:

Peppery and aromatic, like somebody had made a jalapeno aromatherapy candle for your bathroom - or kitchen, or bedroom. I’m not here to judge where you like your candles.

The taste:

Sweet at first - shockingly so - but with a sexy kind of spiciness that doesn’t burn your tongue at all. In fact, the spicy peppery flavor creeps up your nose to give it a fantastical tickle, with the heat that finishes right at the end. Since this is a jelly and not a whole jalapeno, the seeds have been removed, which is the source of much of the jalapeno’s capsaicin. Keep in mind, though, that this is still fairly spicy - so don’t overdo it. It’s perfect as an addition to a recipe.

Recipe ideas:

Canapes and crostinis are easy hors d’oeuvres that anybody can do, especially with this jelly: we did a mini crostini of baguette, Ojai Jalapeno Jelly, deli-style turkey breast and some provolone cheese. Simply spread a thin layer of the jelly on your bread, top with sliced turkey breast and then cheese - then broil in the oven til GBD - otherwise known as golden-brown and delicious.

You could also just spread it on a cracker with some cream cheese as a light snack, or add it to a soup or spread for a party. You really can’t go wrong when you find the right condiments.

The Benefits:

We here at StyleCoven.com believe that everything on this earth has a purpose, be it water for sustaining life or Michael Jackson for still marking the world, even after his death. But what are the benefits of jalapenos? Well allow me to educate:

Jalapenos not only taste good, but they clear up sinus pressure, chronic congestion and sinus diseases, and have been known to help migraine pains. Also, the pepper heat in the capsaicin helps to not only relieve congestion but fight and prevent such conditions as Sinusitis.

Jalapenos - along with other chili peppers - also help to lower blood pressure(which is amazing in this high-stress society) and kickstart your metabolism to help burn fat and keep you going longer. Also, they may help lower cholesterol and help you fight heart disease in the long run.

Finally, something amazing: we all know that capsaicin burns our tongues, but did you know that it can help fight cancer? No, seriously - you can look it up in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research magazine. Apparently, the capsaicin drives prostate cancer cells to kill themselves, which slows the growth of tumors dramatically.

The Final Word:

This blogger cannot think of a single reason one should NOT use this product. Its the perfect addition to a party, tasty as all get-out, smooth, good-looking, and has a real expected-yet-unexpected kick to it - much like Al Pacino in “The Scent of a Woman.”

You can find this via Ojai Jalapeno Jelly.com or through a gourmet store, much like Il Fustino in the picturesque town of Santa Barbara, CA, which we can attribute this blog to. After all, without products, we couldn’t do product reviews, now could we?

This is the first installment of a series of fantastic product reviews that we will be doing on various Il Fustino products. Everything from gourmet olive oils to 25-year-old balsamic vinegars to Chocolate Bacon Peanut Brittle(no joke) will be covered in this series, so stay tuned and stay hungry. And just for fun, here’s a teaser of some of the gorgeous photos we will be showing, courtesy of Jani Bryson and Jodi Matthews of Kansas City.