[CH] Drying chiles in the microwave
Senor Chile Monger (supervisor@scudder.sbceo.k12.ca.us)
Mon, 16 Feb 1998 09:45:42 -0800
I have had very good results using the microwave to remove a large part of
the moisture from the chiles before oven drying them. I chop the chiles
into pieces about 1/4" to 3/8" square (ok, ok, I don't use a mitre, I'm not
that AR)and microwave them on defrost for 5 to 10 minutes, checking every
minute or so. Then I finish drying them in a 200 degree oven for about an
hour. The Habs I've done like this get a nice roasted flavor to them and
the heat is retained well. One caution, though. Our microwave is at
eye-(nose and throat)level and my wife, a fledgling CHer walked by the
microwave during the initial stages of drying and was gassed into a coughing
fit for several minutes.
I'm sure the thinner walled chiles would take much less time and the thicker
walled ones more, the key is to keep an eye on them during the process.
Good luck!
Doug