Chile Lime Pepitas Recipes

SPICED PEPITAS

Steps:

• Stir together pepitas, lime juice, chili powder, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Heat pepitas in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 4 minutes.

CHILE LIME PEPITAS

Steps:

• Warm olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pepitas, and cook, stirring frequently, until seeds are fragrant and start to brown (3 - 5 minutes).
• Add lime juice (the pan will sizzle), a pinch of Aleppo chile and a pinch of kosher salt, stirring to combine. Take the skillet off the heat, and continue stirring until most of the lime juice cooks off. Taste the pepitas, and add more Aleppo chile and kosher salt to taste.**

CHILI LIME ROASTED PEPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• In a large bowl, mix pepitas, olive oil and seasoning. Toss to coat evenly. (Note: my chili lime seasoning contains salt. If yours does not, add ½ teaspoon per 1 cup of raw pepitas).
• Empty seasoned pepitas onto a parchment lined baking tray.
• Add into the oven for 12-15 minutes. Stir halfway through.
• When time is done (pepitas will be golden brown), remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Transfer into airtight container.
• Pepitas last 1 week at room temperature in airtight container.

LIME TOASTED PEPITAS

Steps:

• Mix lime juice, pepper, cayenne and salt and stir until dissolved. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add pepita seeds and toss frequently until seeds begin to turn light golden and expand. Add seasoned lime juice all at once and stir well to coat all seeds. Remove from heat and cool in the pan.Serve at room temperature.
• Also great in salads for a crunchy texture.

GREEN CHILE CILANTRO RICE WITH PEPITAS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the chicken stock and the Green Chile Sauce to a simmer. Hold warm.
• In a large, enameled cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the oil. When hot, add the onions and serrano chiles and saute until the onion is just starting to color, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir to coat, Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, to toast the rice a bit. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
• Ladle in the chicken stock and green chile mix, about 1 cup at a time, stirring and allowing the rice to absorb the liquid. Do this 3 to 4 times, and then add the rest of the liquid. Stir, cover tightly and cook for 12 to 16 minutes, stirring twice during this time.
• Add the lime juice and cilantro and stir to combine. Place in serving bowl and garnish with the pepitas.
• In a small Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the oil. When hot, add the onions and jalapeno and saute until just starting to caramelize, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
• Reduce the heat to medium, sprinkle the onion mixture with the flour and stir constantly until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the reserved liquid from the chiles, 1 cup water, the vinegar and salt and stir until the liquid is smooth and all the flour is dissolved.
• Add the chiles and pepper and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Puree in a blender, or with a stick blender, and add the lime juice. Adjust to taste for salt and pepper. Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Yield: 4 1/2 cups