A smoky, spicy chipotle butter to complement grilled meats and vegetables.
For the chipotle butter
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smokeandsoil.com/recipes/chipotle-butter
by L Field
Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Serves
4
Level
Easy
Method
prep
For the chipotle butter
Prepare the chipotle butter
Soften the butter at room temperature until easily spreadable. Mix in the finely chopped chipotle chillies, grated garlic, lime juice and salt until fully combined. Transfer to a container and chill until firm before serving.
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Equipment
tool
Mixing bowls are a fundamental yet often overlooked tool in any BBQ or fire-cooking setup. They are essential for quick, efficient prep work, allowing you to combine ingredients, whisk dressings, and marinate proteins with ease. At Smoke & Soil, we value simplicity and functionality, and a good set of mixing bowls fits perfectly into that ethos. They enable you to work cleanly and effectively, helping you to focus on quality ingredients and straightforward techniques rather than fuss. Choosing the right mixing bowls matters. Stainless steel and glass are the best options as they do not retain odours or stains, and they handle acidic ingredients without issue. Plastic bowls may seem convenient but they can absorb oils and smells, which compromises flavour and cleanliness. Having a nesting set in small, medium, and large sizes covers all prep needs from emulsifying dressings to tossing slaws and marinating larger cuts of meat. Practicality is key. Avoid bowls that are too small as this leads to splashing and poor emulsification. Also, never stack wet bowls as trapped moisture can cause rust or bacterial growth. Dry them thoroughly before nesting and store them in a dry place. This simple attention to detail extends the life of your bowls and keeps your prep area hygienic and efficient.
prep
A blender is an essential tool for anyone serious about clean, whole-food cooking over fire. It excels at transforming fresh, homegrown ingredients into smooth sauces, purees, and marinades that complement the natural flavours of seasonal produce. At Smoke & Soil, we value simplicity and authenticity, and a blender helps you achieve that by breaking down ingredients quickly and evenly without adding unnecessary fuss. It allows you to capture the essence of your ingredients in a way that enhances your BBQ dishes rather than masking them. Using a blender properly is about respecting its strengths and limitations. It is perfect for smooth textures but less suited to chunky salsas or thick pastes, where a food processor is a better fit. When blending, always add liquids first to help the blades create a vortex and blend efficiently. Avoid over-blending as this can heat your ingredients and break emulsions, which is especially important when making dressings or sauces. For hot liquids, remove the centre cap and cover the opening with a towel to prevent steam from blowing the lid off. Incorporating a blender into your BBQ prep routine aligns with our ethos of everyday BBQ done well. It streamlines your prep, allowing you to focus on the fire and the ingredients themselves. Whether you are making a smooth BBQ sauce, a vibrant herb marinade, or a silky puree to finish a dish, the blender is a reliable workhorse that brings clarity and precision to your cooking. It is a tool that respects the ingredient and the process, helping you cook with confidence and purpose.
tool
The silicone spatula is one of those quietly indispensable tools that every serious home cook and BBQ enthusiast should have on hand. It fits perfectly with the Smoke & Soil ethos by enabling clean, whole-food cooking without fuss or waste. Unlike metal or wooden utensils, a silicone spatula is gentle on all cookware surfaces, including non-stick pans and delicate mixing bowls. This means you can scrape every last bit of sauce, marinade, or dressing from your containers, ensuring nothing goes to waste and every flavour counts. Its flexibility and heat resistance make it ideal for everyday tasks that require a delicate touch, such as folding ingredients or stirring gently without bruising or breaking them down unnecessarily. Using a silicone spatula properly means understanding its strengths and limits. It is brilliant for mixing sauces, folding in ingredients, and scraping bowls clean, but it is not designed for direct contact with very high heat or open flames. The silicone tip can withstand temperatures up to around 230°C, which covers most stovetop and oven cooking, but it will melt if exposed to direct flame or searing heat. This is a common mistake that can shorten the life of your spatula. Additionally, avoid two-piece designs where the head detaches from the handle, as food can get trapped inside and cause mould or unpleasant smells. A one-piece or securely bonded spatula is best for hygiene and longevity. In practical terms, the silicone spatula is far more versatile than many give it credit for. It is not just a baking tool but an all-rounder for BBQ and fire cooking. Use it for stirring risottos, folding in herbs or cream, deglazing pans, or mixing marinades and sauces. Its non-porous surface means it does not absorb flavours or stains, making it easy to switch between different dishes without cross-contamination. Embracing this tool means embracing a cleaner, more efficient cooking process that honours the ingredients and the craft of fire cooking without unnecessary complexity.
Techniques
Written by
L Field
A classic, simple apple sauce, perfect for accompanying pork dishes.
