How do I get hot spicy Cajun flavors into boiled peanuts?

by Grant Beck
(Jacksonville, NC, USA)

Tried to get hot, spicy flavor into my boiled peanuts, but they didn't get very spicy, like some I bought commercially. What's the procedure?

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Jun 14, 2012

Making them spicy
by: Bret

Grant,
The secret to getting spicy flavors into boiled peanuts is simmering, and soaking them in the juice.

Sometimes I let them soak in the flavored brine overnight in the fridge. Measure your spices so you can adjust for more or less of the flavors in future batches.

I usually make my own spice mix using onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and white pepper. Use more cayenne, and crushed red pepper if you want more heat. You can add chopped jalapeno peppers, fresh, or from a can or jar. Some folks add juice from the jalapeno jar. Include some chopped habanero peppers for even more heat. Some people add their favorite liquid hot sauce to the mix.

By mixing your own spices, you control the balance between spices and salt. Premixed Cajun seasonings can be used, but be sure to read their ingredients. Many of them have salt as their primary ingredient.

Boiled peanuts don't take on the full flavor of the liquid until they are soft, and nearly done. I usually add the salt and seasonings late in the boil. After the peanuts soften, they still need time to soak up the spicy juice. Let them simmer, and then cool in the brine to fully fill the shells. Let them soak in the refrigerator overnight, and they should have all the flavor they can hold.

Hopefully you'll discover a blend of spices that gives you the level of heat, and flavor that you want.

Share your recipe with us when you do.

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