Blogger Chile Recipe Contest: Cool and Spicy Habanero Sliders

Hey friends and new readers. Welcome to my little blog. I hope you have some fun while you’re here.

I’m super excited to tell you that I am a participant in the Marx Foods Blogger Chile Recipe Contest. Please vote for me.

Marx Foods sent me a package containing a bunch of dried chilies that I knew absolutely nothing about, including how to use them while cooking. I quickly chose the Habanero Chile because it sounded a little less intimidating than the Aji Amarillo.

Now… to use them while cooking. I don’t think I’d want to bite into a whole dried Habanero while enjoying my lunch so I mashed them into oblivion. Presto, I had Homemade Habanero Chile Powder.

Now I can get cookin’.

Cool and Spicy Habanero Sliders

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
2 TBSP heavy whipping cream
5-7 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1/2-1 tsp Habanero chile powder
1 small bottle Ranch Dressing
1 package of hot dog buns or slider buns
1 package herb mix salad
1 small red onion, for topping

Directions

I started by grinding my chilies into powder.

Most coffee grinders are also capable of grinding spices. Just make sure to thoroughly clean out the grinder before and after use. If you forget this you will have some muy caliente coffee in the AM! I know I’d definitely be awake after a mug of habanero joe.

Now we can cook with some chiles.

To make slider patties I combine 1 pound lean ground beef, 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 2 TBSP heavy whipping cream and a scant 1/2 tsp salt. I added 1 full tsp Habanero chile powder but if you would like a more mild slider, use 1/2 tsp.

I roll the hamburger into small round balls that easily fit into the palm of my hand. The little wells in the middle help the hamburger not poof up too much while cooking.

Now I’m ready to get grillin’.

Cook the mini sliders on medium high heat, flipping every 5 minutes until the meat measures 160 degrees on the inside.

These will be flamin’ hot Habanero Sliders.

My grocery store didn’t have actual slider buns so I improvised by using gourmet-style hot dog buns. Simply cut them into thirds and they’re the perfect size.

Toasted buns are so much better than normal and definitely worth the extra 4 minutes. Just my opinion. Hint. Hint.

Now to make the sliders, I spread some ranch dressing on the bottom bun then top with a Habañero Slider Patty. Next add some herb mix, thinly sliced red onion and another spread of ranch dressing. Top with the matching bun and skewer with a large tooth pick.

The cherry tomatoes take the whole slider experience to the next level. Trust me.