Spiced Tequila Food

SPICY TEQUILA SUNRISE

Steps:

• For the spicy tequila: Pour the tequila into a small jar and add the jalapeno. Cover and let sit overnight or up to 2 days if you want it really spicy. Strain, discarding the jalapeno. Cover and store in a cool, dark place.
• For the spicy tequila sunrise: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the orange juice and spicy tequila. Slowly pour in the grenadine and watch it sink to the bottom; do not stir. Garnish with the orange and jalapeno slices and a cherry.

SPICED TEQUILA

Steps:

• Transfer 1/2 cup reposado tequila (from a 750-milliliter bottle) to a measuring cup. Add 1 quartered jalapeño and let sit for at least 8 hours (for mild) and up to 24 hours (for spicy).
• Discard jalapeño and return infused tequila to the bottle.

PEAR CRISP WITH SPICED TEQUILA CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large glass baking dish (preferably 8 by 11-inches), add the sliced pears, the cinnamon and juice of 1 orange. Toss to combine and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the orange zest, flour, oats, sugar, butter, salt, and pecans. Using a pastry cutter, 2 knives or, your hands, mix the ingredients until they resemble crumbly peas. Sprinkle the mixture over the pears and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the pears are al dente and the crisp is golden brown.
• While the crisp is baking, prepare the caramel. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, tequila, cinnamon, orange zest and orange juice. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and slowly add the half-and-half or cream. The mixture will boil up as the cool dairy meets the hot sugar, so hold the pot away from you and take care not to add too much cold liquid at once. Keep the caramel warm over low heat until ready to serve.
• To serve, spoon the warm crisp onto serving plates and top with several tablespoons of the caramel. Remaining caramel can be brought to the table for guests who might enjoy a little extra or stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

SPICY TEQUILA-SPIKED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut off 1/4 inch from blossom end (opposite stem end) of each tomato and with a 1/4-teaspoon measure carefully scoop out seeds. Wearing rubber gloves, seed and mince jalapeño.
• In a small saucepan sprinkle gelatin over vegetable-juice cocktail or tomato juice and let stand 1 minute to soften. Heat mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and stir in jalapeño and all remaining ingredients except tomatoes. Cool filling slightly.
• Using a small spoon and holding each tomato over saucepan, spoon filling into tomatoes, arranging tomatoes on a platter as filled. Chill tomatoes, covered, 4 hours, or until filling is set, and up to 1 day.
• Garnish each tomato with a coriander leaf.

SPICY JALAPENO-INFUSED MARGARITA

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled.
• Place kosher salt on a plate. Run lime wedge around edge of glass and dip into kosher salt. Strain margarita into the glass.