Chiltepin Doves

Submitted by Miss Annie

"A recipe that was requested. The Chiltepin peppers are pea-sized and orange-red. They are searing hot, and they grow wild in south Texas. If you can't find them, substitue with dried chile pequins, a close relative. This recipe is from Texas Home Cooking."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Serves: 1

ingredients

• 12 whole doves, dressed
• 14 whole dried chile pequins
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 12 slices thick slab bacon
• 1 cup chicken stock

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Place one chiltepin in the cavity of each dove, reserving 2 peppers.
3. Rub salt and pepper into the skins of the birds.
4. Wrap each dove with a strip of bacon, making sure the breast is covered especially well.
5. Secure with toothpicks.
6. Transfer doves to a baking dish that will hold them snugly in a single layer.
7. Pour stock over the doves, and add the last two peppers to the dish.
8. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
9. Remove the cover and continue baking 20 to 30 more minutes, until the liquid has reduced a bit and the bacon has browned.
10. Transer doves to a serving platter, discarding the greasy cooking liquid.
11. let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
12. If your guests are not chileheads, caution them against eating the chile pods.