Not everyone grows up eating spicy food from a young age or having the perfect genetics for dealing with the pain. For many, the love of spicy food comes from exposure to new things and a willingness to experiment with the unfamiliar. As with exercise, …
Crushed red pepper (a.k.a. red pepper flakes) is a convenient way to add spiciness to various dishes since it is easy to measure out. The heat is usually moderate but quickly becomes overwhelming if you go overboard. You can use the tips below to rescue …
Old Bay is one of those magic spice mixes – a complex combination of many flavors that comes out on the other side as something singularly delicious. It’s simple enough to pick up Old Bay at any store (and we highly recommend keeping a bulk …
Banana peppers and jalapeños are two relatively mild chilies that are familiar to most people in North America. They are both popular in and on everything from sandwiches to salads, pizzas, and more. Is one hotter than the other? How can you tell them apart? …
The question of how to thicken hot sauce can be a tricky due to the fact that many recipes contain high levels of acid. Acids can cause some thickeners to lose their thickening properties. Even so, there are quite a few options for giving your …
Pico de gallo translates to “the beak of the rooster” or “rooster’s beak” and is a form of salsa made with fresh ingredients — it is classified as a salsa fresca. As such, it differs from traditional salsa by having less moisture. Typical pico de …
It may come as a surprise (to some) that bell peppers are technically chili peppers. What isn’t a surprise (to most) is bell peppers have no heat. But is that always true? Are bell peppers spicy, ever? Or is it always that zero placeholder on …
The ingredients list for a standard salsa recipe includes some of the most versatile ingredients in the world: tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. And, of course, for many salsas: chili peppers. If you have run out of ideas for using salsa and have leftovers, you still …
Sriracha sauce, as many Americans know it, is a mild hot sauce that comes in a distinctive bottle with a green cap (read our review.) The familiar version is an American hot sauce produced by Huy Fong Foods from Los Angeles, California. What some people …
Experts differ in how they define heirloom varieties. In most cases, heirloom vegetables (like heirloom peppers) come from varieties that are at least 50 years old. This means that a variety has to be around for at least 50 years before it can get the …