Matt Bray 
If you’ve ever enjoyed the addictive, funky heat of Korean barbecue or bibimbap, you’ve encountered gochujang. This thick, fermented chili paste is the “secret sauce” of Korean cuisine, providing a complex depth that is simultaneously sweet, savory, and spicy. Note: This recipe is a “quick-method” …
If you are looking for a hot sauce that offers more than just raw heat, this carrot habanero sauce is a revelation. While many sauces rely on high acidity or sugar to balance chili peppers, this recipe uses the natural, earthy sweetness of carrots to …
Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, but even the classics can benefit from a little fire. This jalapeño mac and cheese takes that nostalgic, velvety cheese sauce and gives it a sophisticated, spicy upgrade. It’s rich, decadent, and balanced by the bright, grassy …
If you need a serious wake-up call to start your day, put down the coffee and reach for this spicy habanero morning marmalade. It is the perfect marriage of citrus zip and tropical heat—sticky, sweet, and incredibly vibrant. It’s also an excellent way to use …
If you ever wanted to taste what a “sunny” day feels like if that sun were actually a ball of molten Caribbean spice, you’ve found it. High River Sauce’s Tears of the Sun Hot Sauce is a fascinating study in expectations versus reality. At first …
The title of “hottest pepper in the world” is something that’s challenged more often than you may expect. Every year hot pepper cultivators find new ways to hybridize chilies and utilize their environment (soil, water, sunlight) to create peppers that will compete for the top …
This spicy Chinese BBQ sauce brings together the best of two flavor worlds. Classic Asian pantry staples like soy sauce, fish sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder form a deeply savory and aromatic base, while chipotle in adobo adds smoky heat and richness. The result is …
Crushed red pepper, also known as red pepper flakes, is far more than a pizza-night afterthought. It is one of the most versatile heat boosters in the kitchen, capable of adding a quick spark to nearly any savory dish. While store-bought flakes are convenient, making …
Gochujang is one of the cornerstone ingredients of Korean cooking, prized for its deep savory flavor and gentle, lingering heat. Sambal oelek, a traditional chili paste from Indonesia and Malaysia, has become widely popular outside Southeast Asia as a fresher, brighter, and spicier alternative to …
Bhut Jolokia, better known as the ghost pepper, sits in a rare category of chilies where heat management becomes just as important as cooking technique. Once difficult to find outside of specialty markets, ghost peppers are now increasingly available at grocery stores like Whole Foods …