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Joshua Tree Pepper Company Cowboy Candy Recipe

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This has got to be one of our favorite and easiest recipes for Jalapeños!

Joshua Tree Pepper Company brings you a deliciously sweet and spicy treat that’s perfect for adding a zesty kick to any dish. Introducing our Cowboy Candy – candied jalapeños that are as versatile as they are flavorful. Follow our simple recipe to create this irresistible condiment at home.

 Ingredients:

– 3 lbs fresh jalapeños, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
– 2 cups apple cider vinegar
– 6 cups granulated sugar
– 1/2 tsp turmeric
– 1/2 tsp celery seed
– 1 tbsp garlic powder
– 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)

*in a pinch for seasonings? Skip the turmeric, celery seed and cayenne

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Jalapeños:
– Wash the jalapeños thoroughly and slice them into 1/4-inch rings. Discard the stems. If you prefer a milder version, you can remove the seeds. Set aside.

2. Create the Syrup:
– In a large pot, combine the apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, turmeric, celery seed, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.

3. Simmer the Jalapeños:
– Once the syrup is boiling, reduce the heat to low and carefully add the sliced jalapeños to the pot. Simmer the jalapeños in the syrup for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE SIMMER THESE OUTSIDE. THE FUMES CAN BE OVERWHELMING.

4. Transfer to Jars:
– Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeño slices into sterilized canning jars, packing them in tightly. Leave about 1/4-inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

5. Add the Syrup:
– Turn the heat back up and bring the syrup to a rolling boil. Continue boiling for 6 more minutes. Then, carefully ladle the hot syrup over the jalapeños in the jars, ensuring they are fully covered.

6. Seal and Process:
– Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth and secure the lids. Process the jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes to ensure a proper seal.

7. Cool and Store:
– Remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool on a towel or rack. Once cool, check the seals by pressing the center of each lid. If sealed properly, the lids will not flex up and down. Store in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks to allow the flavors to meld and develop.

Serving Suggestions:

– Top burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches with Cowboy Candy for an extra zing.
– Add to cream cheese and serve with crackers for a quick and tasty appetizer.
– Mix into salads or salsas for a sweet and spicy twist.
– Use as a garnish for cocktails like Bloody Marys for a flavorful kick.

Enjoy your homemade Cowboy Candy from Joshua Tree Pepper Company! It’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen, adding a perfect balance of sweet and heat to your favorite dishes.

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For more recipes and to explore our range of pepper products, visit [Joshua Tree Pepper Company](#).

Share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #JoshuaTreePepperCo.

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Dry Pouring a Concrete Slab for a New Shed in the Desert During the Height of Summer

6 Lessons I Learned Dry Pouring a Concrete Slab for a New Shed in the Desert During the Height of Summer

I’ve been planning on pouring a number of concrete projects from a new floor in the barn, patio areas, fire pits and, you guessed it, a concrete slab for a new shed.
 
I’ve set a couple of dozen fence posts using the dry pour method and I wet poured a couple of air conditioner pads after a building inspector informed me that cinder blocks weren’t adequate to pass the inspection. Neither posts or the pads had to necessarily look good.
 
The shed foundation seemed the easiest and required the least aesthetic outcome of my future projects. The new shed pad will be covered with a shed and it only needs to be 4 foot by 4 foot.
 
I used an online concrete calculator to determine that I’d need 10 bags so I picked up 12. I ENDED UP USING 11.5 BAGS
 
I then need to create a form. I was about to run to the store and buy some 2×4’s and realized that I had an entire fence made out of cinder blocks and 2x4s so I grabbed 5 of those and put one to 48 inches minus 3 inches. I also had some deck screws so, once I pick up 12 bags of QuickCrete from HomeDepot I’ll be ready to go.
 
Today, bags of QuickCrete were $4.35 so the whole project will cost me less than $60.
 
  1. Lesson one, Start early in the day. 
    I was up at 5 AM and started prepping the site by 5:30. I had a rake, a shovel and a plan. I smoothed out a 5 x 5 foot area. Grabbed 5 2 x 4 x 10′ out of my fence and set them up using a speed square, 3 foot level and then used my drill to screw one screw in each 2 x 4. I should have pre drilled, did I mention it was early in the morning? I heard some cracking on a couple of the two by fours as I drove in the screws. Also, buy more concrete than you think you need. When you level your form, more than likely, you will raise up one or more sides of the form. When you do this you either need to fill in with sand or gravel or just dump more concrete to make the edges consistent.
  2. Lesson two, don’t water the ground before dumping the bags of QuickCrete
    Why? Well, I thought that I might not finish pouring and screeding in one day. It was 82 degrees when I started and 107 when I stopped for the day. If I had saturated the ground and the bottom of the slab would have started curing immediately and the top would not get wet until the next day.

    Also, I’m in the desert, the ground is sand. Luckily it was fairly compact but the water percolates fast so even if I had wet it down It would have been barely damp by the time I finished. I then dumped 11.5 bags of concrete into the form, raked it out and used the side of the rake to tap the sides of the form. This helps settle the concrete on the edges of the slab

  3. Lesson three, screeding sucks.
    I was working alone but the area was only 4 foot square. No big deal right? Everytime I moved the 2×4 back and forth and inches it forward I’d pick up rocks and it would gouge the surface. I did this many times over the course of an hour. I got to the point of picking rocks out of the edges by the handful and recalling the advice from a YouTuber to sift half a bag of concrete prior to starting. This is a great idea. Did I do it? No. Why? I’d have to run to the hardware store and buy some screening. Next time I will.

    Also, a shorter screed and perhaps a legitimate store bought screed would have worked better. My 2×4 was a 10 footer and kind of heavy. I didn’t want to cut it as I was planning on replacing it on my fence when I was done.

  4. Lesson four, concrete loves water.
    I’ve watched a number of dry pour concrete videos and many of them were afraid to water the concrete. Some of you know this, but for the rest of you, Concrete doesn’t dry it cures. Curing concrete is a chemical reaction and it needs water to penetrate and touch every ounce of concrete you pour. Of course I’m in the desert so I didn’t want the water to evaporate before the curing had a chance so I misted the pad every 15 minutes, again it was probably in the mid-90s at the time. After a couple of hours I saturated it every 30 minutes for a number of hours. By staturating I mean both the surface of the pad, the form boards and the area around the form boards by at least a foot out. I let it cure in the heat of the day up to maybe 102 degrees. A smart person would have covered the pad with plastic to slow down the evaporation. Again next time. I then went out that night and saturated it again a couple of times. The next morning, about 6:30, I saturated it a couple more times and decided to remove the form boards about 2 hours after my last watering. 

  5. Lesson five, don’t drive on it, drill into it or set anything heavy on it for at least 28 days.
    Concrete takes time to cure fully. No matter what the bag says on it 3000, 4000 or 5000 PSI isn’t achieved for 28 or more days. And as a Dry Pour it may never reach those PSIs so wait. Let it fully cure and then try some anchor holes and heavy weights. I plan on using this pad as a Shed Foundation and I want to drill some holes and anchor the shed down. There’s a good chance that tightening an anchor could crack the slab even after 28 days, so I’m waiting to give it the best chance of success. If it still cracks, I’ll repair the crack and use a heavy-duty liquid nails type product to anchor the shed down, not ideal but it’ll probably work even in for the high winds out here in the desert.

  6. Lesson six, don’t expect perfection.
    I started misting well before I was happy with the finish. Knowing full well that the finish I started with is the finish I would finish with. Of course I used the paint roller trick. It helped not just smoothing out the screeding lines but it picked up some of the powder and redistributed it across the pad and covered a few gouges and rocks that were still showing.
Mixing, pouring and finishing a wet pour is much more time consuming that doing a dry pour and you still need to mist it and saturate for the then 24 to 48 hours especially in the desert. It’s certainly not the best solution for all concrete projects but it sure is easy, requires less manpower and you can take your time and even change the forms during the project.
 
And, yes! I’ll be doing more of them here at Star Dune Ranch.
 
I am sure these lessons will help you on your next Dry Pour concrete pad project. If you want to see an update on this pad and shed project like, follow and subscribe. We’ve got a lot of upcoming projects and need to get done here at Star Dune Ranch. We also have an Airbnb that you can stay at. I’ll leave links in the description.
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Sit a Spell and Watch the Sunset at Star Dune Ranch

Greetings folks! If you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque place to watch the sunset, then look no further than Star Dune Ranch. We’ve got some of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ll ever lay eyes on, and it’s the perfect spot to unwind and take in the beauty of the great outdoors.

Just imagine sittin’ back and watchin’ as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky with a brilliant display of oranges, pinks, and purples. It’s a sight that’ll take your breath away, and one you won’t soon forget.

And even if you don’t want to venture too far from the comforts of camp, you’re still in for a treat. The ranch offers plenty of cozy spots where you can sit back, relax, and take in the sunset in all its glory. Whether you’re sittin’ by the fire pit, kickin’ back in a rocking chair, or loungin’ on a blanket, you’re sure to have a front row seat to nature’s daily show.

So come on down to Star Dune Ranch and experience a sunset like no other. It’s the perfect way to unwind and appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors. So grab your friends and family, and let’s make some memories!

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Stoke the Flames and Savor the Night at Star Dune Ranch’s Fire Pit

Stoke the Flames and Savor the Night at Star Dune Ranch’s Fire Pit

Howdy partners! If you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned fun and relaxation, then you’ll want to mosey on over to Star Dune Ranch for a fire pit experience like no other.

Nothing beats the warmth and glow of a cracklin’ fire on a cool night, and at Star Dune Ranch, we’ve got just the spot for you to do just that. So grab a marshmallow, pour yourself a steamin’ cup of coffee, and let’s sit a spell by the fire.

Now, you might be wonderin’ what to do whilst you’re here. Well, let me tell ya, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had! You can sit back and listen to the tales of cowboys past, or trade stories with your travelin’ companions. And if you’re feelin’ musically inclined, why not break out your trusty guitar and serenade the stars?

And let’s not forget about the cookin’! That’s right, you can even roast up some grub over the fire pit. Just imagine biting into a perfectly charred hot dog or a juicy s’more – mmm, mmm good!

So come on down to Star Dune Ranch and enjoy a night around the fire pit like a true cowboy. It’s the perfect way to unwind and take in the beauty of the great outdoors. So don’t be shy, grab a seat, and let’s make some memories!

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Giddyup and Git Your Stargazing On at Star Dune Ranch

Well howdy folks! If you’re lookin’ for a night under the stars that’ll take your breath away, then Star Dune Ranch is the place for you. We got ourselves some of the clearest skies you’ll ever lay yer eyes on, and it’s the perfect spot to take in all the wonders of the universe.

Now, let me tell ya ’bout some of the sights you’ll see up yonder. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Big Dipper, one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky. Just look for the seven stars that look like a ladle, and you’ll know you’ve found it.

Another one to watch out for is Orion the Hunter. You can’t miss this fella, what with his three bright stars in a row making up his belt. Just below those stars, you’ll find two more that make up the legs of the hunter. Ain’t he a beaut?

And if you’re lookin’ for something a little more regal, then you might wanna keep an eye out for Cassiopeia. She’s a queen, you see, and she’s depicted by five stars that form a “W” shape in the sky.

But wait, there’s more! If you’re feelin’ adventurous, why not try to spot Taurus the Bull? This fella is a bit tougher to find, but he’s worth the effort. Just look for a “V” shape of stars, and you might just spot the red giant Aldebaran, the eye of the bull.

So what are ya waitin’ for? Saddle up and head on over to Star Dune Ranch for a night under the stars like no other. You’ll be starry-eyed and hoof-stompin’ happy, guaranteed!

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