An earthy fall-focused mole… Pumpkin season means pumpkins are…well in everything. Soups, drinks, desserts, and yes…sauces. They are particularly good with Mexican sauces like mole. And it makes sense – mole sauce is already deliciously earthy and sweet, making pumpkin – a vegetable native to Mexico – a perfect addition to the mix. Try it with […]
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What Is The Cajun Holy Trinity? History And Use
The Cajun “holy trinity” is a blend of three aromatic ingredients: bell pepper, onion, and celery. These ingredients are typically sauteed in oil or butter. The aromatics release their aroma and flavor, which makes them a perfect base for a variety of dishes. The three ingredients have the capacity to create an identifiable background flavor profile […]
Cultivar Vs. Variety Vs. Hybrid: PepperScale Showdown
A case of mistaken identity… Terms like cultivar, variety, and hybrid are used often when describing chili pepper plants and are also often used incorrectly much of the time. They are often used interchangeably even though the words have quite different definitions. Keep in mind that within the Capsicum genus, there are five species. Variety, cultivar, and […]
Spicy Turkey Gravy
Chipotle brings a smoky warmth… Sure, any type of turkey gravy is pretty delicious, whether over turkey, mashed potatoes, or any of the typical sides that often accompany them. But if you’re looking for something a bit more memorable, that chipotle powder in your spice rack can be just what you need. This spicy turkey […]
Spicy Green Bean Casserole
A smoky, fiery take on the green bean classic… Here’s a little twist on the classic green bean casserole that many of us grew up with. It has all of the cream of mushroom goodness you expect, but the added kick is smoky chipotle pepper powder. Chipotle’s smokiness is so good with the earthy flavor […]
What Are Nightshades? How Alkaloids Affect Your Health
Hot peppers have an infamous family… The nightshade family is flowering plants also known by their Latin name Solanaceae. There are more than 2,000 plants in this family, including hot peppers and sweet peppers. Most of these nightshades are not eaten as food and are in fact, poisonous. The long list of nightshade fruits and […]
Satan’s Kiss Pepper: A Devil Of A Pop
Its playful look hides a cayenne kick… Scoville heat units (SHU): 40,000 – 50,000 Jalapeño reference point: 5 to 25 times hotter Origin: Italy Products and seeds: Satan’s Kiss pepper on Amazon The Satan’s Kiss pepper (a.k.a. Baccio de Satana) has a playful look: small and round, cherry pepper-like. But its name should give you […]
Hot Paper Lantern: A Habanero For The North
A habanero better for cooler climates… Scoville heat units (SHU): 150,000 – 400,000 Jalapeño reference point: 19 to 160 times hotter Origin: Peru Products and seeds: Hot Paper Lantern on Amazon Habaneros are known for their tropical flair – Caribbean sweet is their thing. So, too, for the Hot Paper Lantern, with a few distinct differences. It’s […]
Minorcan Mike’s Datil Pepper Salsa: Deep Sweet
First things first: We love Minorcan Mike’s Datil Pepper Sauce (see the review here.) Its sweet, spicy, and unexpectedly complex flavor hit all the right notes for a datil pepper hot sauce. So learning that there’s a salsa option, too, is a terrific spicy snacking gift! Minorcan Mike’s Datil Pepper Salsa pretty much provides more […]
Chipotle Pumpkin Seeds
Smoky snacking… Pumpkins are the vegetable gift that keeps on giving. Not only do you have the delicious pumpkin flesh to partake in for spicy pumpkin pies, you also have those fresh pumpkin seeds that are oh so good for snacking. You can spice up pumpkin seeds in many ways, but one of our faves is […]
