East Meets Southwest Thai/Hatch Pepper Shrimp

East Meets Southwest Thai/Hatch Pepper Shrimp (ExSW)

ExSW Fusion Pepper Shrimp

16 years ago I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to just get out into the world with my younger sister.   It was mainly because I had just spent so much time in normal Norman, Oklahoma that I think I needed something overwhelming to put me in a better mindset.  More horizons, different opportunities, different mindsets to pull me out of mine.

The Southwest United States is a good place for such an adventure but like my recipe it is a mix of magic and danger.  I say that because living there in Santa Fe I saw how it lived up to being the dichotomy I was told it was with an affluent tourist area and insanely beautiful views mixed with a poor more dangerous neighborhoods.  It is bordered by some area with scarce natural resources.  It is also a state on the border of Mexico meaning there is some corruption.

My One of a Kind Fusion Recipe

I put the little (ExSW) Trying to look like the ultra trendy event SxSW in Austin every year to make my post seem cooler ;p.   This recipe matches the experience of New Mexico with lots of unique flavors, some dangerous elements you will want to leave alone.  The healthy stevia based brown sugar which mixes to make something unforgettable.   The elements you will want to leave alone are the are the Thai peppers.  In my life I have to say that the Thai Asian Persuasion is actually the most delicious and safe part of my life but for the sake of the analogy bear with me.  🙂

Hatch Green Chili Peppers

August begins Hatch pepper season and you will find them all over the south and southwest this time of year.  They are known for their unique and wonderful flavor.   The flavor is thought to exist only in peppers from that area and is thought to come from the unique combination of weather, sandy loam soil and other unique variables yet to be understood.

Hatch Green Chili Peppers

Availability of Hatch Peppers

The pepper is available canned in most areas of the US year round.  It is just this time of year that you can buy them fresh.   I first had them at Santa Fe Community College.  I got them just cooked by themselves in a bowl.  They were hot and cooked in oil.  I ate them with whole wheat crackers and it was fireworks!  Holy Cow they are good.   I got it every day.   They are also more available any time of the year in New Mexico in the frozen section in a tub like a butter tub.

Thai Peppers

Thai peppers are the little red firecrackers that you may have gotten a hold of once or twice.  They are like the friend that was a bad influence and which you never met when eaten whole on accident.   If you are someone who steers clear of spicy food you will want to put the minimum of these.  Better yet, you may just want to leave them out.   You can also add more Truvia brown sugar as the sweet taste has a cooling effect.  There is actually a lot of science that backs it up.  Just Google it to learn more.

Enjoy the Spicy Danger Slowly with Lots to Drink! 🙂

This is a smoking hot dish that if done the way by the directions will need lots of liquid to help cool your mouth.  It is a wonderful way to enjoy a meal though for some strange folks like me.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do with a few cold beers and about an hour and a half to slowly experience the unique blend of hot and sweet.  Thanks for reading our blog and please follow us and comment for more fun!!  Maybe I can have a man card back.  I have been using Pintrest which is pretty girly.  This recipe is the kind they say will put hair on your chest.

Thai Peppers