The "head of the shop"...Spice blends are an important part of Middle Eastern cookery. Blends like dukkah and za’atar are widely used and help to create complex and distinctive flavor profiles; however, no blend is more complex and distinctive than ras el hanout. The name translates to "head of … [Read more...]
What Is A Hybrid Plant? A Pepper-Focused Breakdown
If you're around chili peppers (or any vegetable long enough) - whether you're a gardener or not - you'r bound to hear reference to hybrid plants. But what is a hybrid plant? Is it something cultivated? Can it happen on its own? Are their benefits to these peppers? We break down these answers and … [Read more...]
Need For Heat? How To Make Your Chili Spicier
Chili is a Tex-Mex dish. If you are familiar with Tex-Mex cuisine, you know that it is heavy on the hot peppers and usually offers some amount of heat. Exactly how much heat can vary depending on the cook’s preference. If you want to increase the heat of a chili that you think is too mild, you will … [Read more...]
Gochujang Aioli
A very versatile spicy spread...Have some gochujang (Korean chili paste) in your kitchen and wondering what to make next? Bring your sandwich spread to life with gochujang aioli. It works well on both vegetable and meat-focused sandwiches. And the heat? Since the gochujang is cut with mayo, it's … [Read more...]
Honey Sriracha Meatballs
Two opposites that just work...Sweet and heat are always a great pairing, but few ingredients match quite as well as honey and Sriracha. These two bold flavors are on the opposite side of the flavor spectrum yet they just work. And when meatballs are the base for these two delicious flavors to … [Read more...]
Cherry Hoisin Sauce
A tangy twist to flavor-rich hoisin...Hoisin sauce is already packed full of flavor. Our homemade hoisin recipe shows the sauce in full detail - from molasses and peanut butter to Sriracha and Chinese five spice powder. It's an experience unto itself. But boy do cherries add to the experience. … [Read more...]
Candied Jalapeño BBQ Sauce
One wickedly sweet and tangy sauce...Candied jalapeños (a.k.a. cowboy candy) are a spicy food secret weapon. They are so unassuming in looks - just glistening jalapeño pepper slices - but their sweet and spicy quotient is off the charts. In fact, they make for one amazing secret ingredient in … [Read more...]
Hoisin Peanut Sauce
There are many ways to spice up peanut sauce, though a hoisin peanut sauce may be one of the most flavorful. This mix of traditional peanut sauce and hoisin sauce delivers a rich sweet earthiness. It's a big enough flavor to work with both chicken and beef skewers. Plus, it's a perfect dipping sauce … [Read more...]
Sriracha Bloody Mary
The rooster sauce brings it to brunch...Sriracha sauce and the classic Bloody Mary are a no-brainer pairing. Tomato-based Sriracha effortlessly melds into the overall garden-fresh flavor of this popular brunch cocktail. Plus, it brings s subtle garlic undertone to the mix as well.The … [Read more...]
Mexican Chocolate Pudding
Spicy and smooth...It's the simple things that sometimes bring the greatest joy. That's how we feel about Mexican chocolate pudding. It's so simple, yet it's a sure smile maker. There are so many flavors here. Cinnamon is key for any Mexican chocolate pudding, providing that lovely warmth and … [Read more...]
