Cayenne is a long, thin pepper primarily grown in tropical climates, although it can also be cultivated in temperate ones. This pepper appears prominently in Cajun, Tex-Mex, Jamaican, Indian and Asian cuisines. Although cayenne is best known for its culinary uses, it may also lower blood pressure. Capsaicin, the heat-producing chemical in cayenne, may help reduce blood triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins that clog arteries with lipid deposits. It may also dilate blood vessels and arteries, increasing blood flow and reducing the workload on your heart muscles.
Step 1
Add fresh cayenne peppers to Asian stir-fry dishes. Finely dice these peppers and place them in a wok with 1 to 2 tbsp. olive oil. Cook for 1 minute. Add garlic, onions, cut vegetables, tofu or lean meats, and season with low-sodium teriyaki or soy sauce.
Step 2
Dry cayenne peppers by tying bunches of eight to 12 peppers at the stems with string. Place them in paper bags, and hang them in a dark, cool area for seven days. Crush the dried peppers with a mortar and pestle. Mix in other dried spices, such as ground cumin, garlic, black pepper and paprika, and rub the mixture on lean meats, such as chicken breasts or on beef cuts, before grilling.
Step 3
Add fresh or dried cayenne peppers to low-fat soups, such as lentil soup or vegetarian chili. The heat of these peppers offsets the bland taste of lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas and other beans and legumes used as protein sources in soups.
Step 4
Dice fresh cayenne peppers and add them to Indian curry dishes. Cayenne complements Indian curry spices, such as turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and tamarind. Simmer until curry ingredients are tender.
Step 5
Use fresh cayenne peppers in salsas for Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. Place whole cayenne peppers in a food processor and chop. Add salsa ingredients, such as fresh diced tomatoes and tomatillos, minced garlic, cilantro, diced onions, black beans, corn and mango pieces. Mix all ingredients and chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear food-grade gloves when handling fresh cayenne peppers. Capsaicin may cause skin rashes and burns, and can severely irritate the mucous membranes of your eyes and nose.
- Talk to your doctor before using cayenne to treat high blood pressure. Cayenne may occasionally cause diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress.
Things You'll Need
- Wok
- String
- Paper bags
- Mortar
- Pestle
- Food-grade gloves
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
- "The New Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2010
- "The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper"; Patrick Quillin; 2000
