Spicy Spears Recipes

QUICK-PICKLED SPICY ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place trimmed asparagus in a quart-sized canning jar. Add garlic, pepper flakes, mustard seed, and peppercorns.
• Combine vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn heat off.
• Pour vinegar mixture over the asparagus. Screw on the lid and let sit until lid has sealed, about 1 hour.
• Place in the refrigerator until pickled, at least 2 days.

QUICK REFRIGERATOR SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Wash two large size mason jars and lids in hot soapy water, rinse and dry well.
• Cut the woody ends off the asparagus spears, making sure they aren't taller than the jar.
• Place two cloves of garlic, a large handful of fresh dill, half a tablespoon (1 ½ teaspoons) of coriander seeds, whole peppercorns, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes into each jar.
• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sugar, kosher salt, and white vinegar together. Whisk vigorously until the sugar and salt dissolve.
• Add the water to the mixture. Set aside.
• In the two clean mason jars, tightly pack the asparagus spears evenly into each jar.
• Pour the brine mixture over the asparagus spears.
• Tap the jars on the counter to release any air bubbles and top off the jar with extra water if any asparagus spears are exposed.
• Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings until they are tight.
• Leave the jars in the fridge for 2 days before tasting. Enjoy!

FRIED PICKLE SPEARS

Steps:

• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with about 2 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, paprika and 1 tablespoon of the hot sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Whisk together the milk, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons hot sauce, a large pinch of salt and a generous amount of black pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Fill a 10-inch-tall cup (such as a quart container) about three-quarters of the way with the batter.
• Thread an 8-inch wooden skewer lengthwise through each pickle spear so it resembles a corn dog. Working with 2 to 3 pickles at a time, hold the end of the skewers and dip the pickles into the batter to completely coat. Pull the pickles out of the batter (you may need to hold onto the end of the pickles so the skewers don't fall out), immediately transfer to the oil and fry until the batter puffs up and turns a deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pickles to a paper towel-lined plate; sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the remaining pickles and batter, making sure to bring the oil back up to temperature between each batch. Serve with the spicy mayo dip.

SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in the onion powder, seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes. Add asparagus spears, stir gently to coat. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

REFRIGERATOR GARLIC DILL SPEARS

Steps:

• Divide garlic, dill, and peppercorns between 2 clean quart jars. Wash cucumbers and trim away blossom ends. Cut each into 6 to 8 spears. Pack spears vertically and snugly into jars.
• Stir together vinegar, water, and salt in a small nonreactive pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir and reduce heat, if necessary, until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Pour or ladle hot brine into jars, covering cucumbers and leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Tap jars gently to remove any air bubbles. Add more brine if necessary to leave 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean with a damp paper towel.
• Let cool completely to room temperature, about 1 hour. Apply clean lids. Refrigerate at least 48 hours before eating for best flavor. (Flavor improves with time.) Store in refrigerator up to 1 month.