Chipotle peppers are dried and smoked jalapeño peppers. They have a dark brown, wrinkled skin and a very hot, smoky flavor. Purchase them dried in specialty markets and some supermarkets. To soften before using, pour boiling water over the peppers in a small bowl and soak for about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the pepper.

Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration.