Drying red chillies

[Millymollymandy]

My chillies are turning red and as I have already pickled a load of them (mostly green) I would like to dry the red cayenne type chillies.

However I've got no idea how to do it!

[jampot]

i dried a load last year by "sewing " them together
pass the needle n thread throught the stalk of each chilli and hang up in a warm -ish dry place ( kitchen is ok) they look great and dry without getting squished or knocked about , just mind theyre hung out of kids/pets reach

[Millymollymandy]

I will try that then, thank you Jampot.

[mrsflibble]

what jampot said.
no, seriously hahaha!
OR cut open, de seed, finely chop and freeze in a baggie or box. keep moving the bag every couple of hours to keep bits fairly separated until they are frozen, use by the spoonful. I find there's about 3 of my 1-2cm chillis to each teaspoonful.

[Thomzo]

I cut mine off the plant with as long a stalk as I can. Then just tie them together and hang them up as already said.

Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

Do they keep for long when they are dry? Or does anyone crumble them up into dry chilli flakes and store like that?

Isn't it silly that since I've had chillies on the plant I haven't cooked anything that needed any - probably cos I'm having to eat salad and runner beans all the time.... must think up some 'hot' runner bean dish to cook!

[Mrs Moustoir]

MMM - in case you're looking for a recipe idea - Madhur Jaffrey has a good spicy green bean recipe. Try Googling for her Gujarati-style green beans. Nice curry side dish.

[QuizMaster]

Yep, string'em up, it's the only language they understand. They look great too. Like you've been to Mexico for your holidays. I have some from 2006 that are still good.

[Millymollymandy]

Sounds like they would make good Crimbo decorations!

Mrs Moustoir I'll have a look in my MJ cookery books - I've probably got the recipe somewhere! Sounds good - thanks.

[moogie]

MMM - in case you're looking for a recipe idea - Madhur Jaffrey has a good spicy green bean recipe. Try Googling for her Gujarati-style green beans. Nice curry side dish.

Or Indonesian style. In Dutch it would be "hete boontjes", pretty much beans, a shallot, some hot "Sambal" (=Hot indonesian sauce of onions and chilis) and a touch of ketjap.
I don't have a recipe around but you might find something on the net.

Half of my chili harvest goes to an Indonesian cook who provides nice hot sauce in return :D

[QuizMaster]

When we were honeymooning in Tobago, we bought a bottle of hot sauce at a market stall. I don't know what was in it, probably scotch bonnet. Pure fire. One drop would spice up a meal.

[JR]

Yes we string them up too. Just drying the ones for seeds for next year managing to not eat every chilli from every plant, we love em, kids too. Pickled some Jalapenos as well! Yum!

I have a great picture of me eating a Naga Jolkia (straight off the plant) at OH birthday party I will post. Yes I had had one or two beers and some of our homemade rhubarb vodka. Bulldog and wasp springs to mind, they certainly are warm.