Matt Bray

Founder of PepperScale and Cindermint LLC. Sucker for a good scotch bonnet. Spicy food super-fan. Current fiery fascination: Datil hot sauces.
Mexican Chicken Salad

Mexican Chicken Salad

by

A spicy take on the chicken salad staple.

Jalapeño peppers add a little oomph to what’s already a delicious meal. We especially like the pairing of the chilies against fresh red apple – it adds a light sweetness that’s very refreshing and a splash of color that looks terrific on the plate. Try it on a bed of lettuce, or opt for that tasty chicken salad sandwich. 

Read more

A glass pitcher and two tall glasses of iced cayenne lemonade flecked with red cayenne, a lemon wheel on one rim, halved lemons, a small dish of cayenne and a bottle of maple syrup on a wooden shelf with a terracotta cloth

Cayenne Lemonade

by

A four-ingredient cayenne lemonade with fresh lemons and maple syrup, plus how to set the heat, why you stir before pouring, and what to serve it with.

Two golden cornmeal waffles drizzled with amber maple syrup flecked with ground cayenne, with fresh raspberries, a small glass pitcher of syrup and a dish of cayenne pepper behind.

Spicy Maple Syrup

by

A cup of maple syrup and half a teaspoon of cayenne make a sweet, warm topping for pancakes and waffles, and an easy glaze for pork.

Two pale, slightly cloudy cucumber jalapeño martinis with cucumber ribbons in chilled glasses, on a linen-covered table by a window, beside a fresh jalapeño and cucumber slices on a small wooden board.

Cucumber Jalapeño Martini

by

A cucumber martini with a kick: fresh jalapeño muddled with cucumber, shaken with vodka and cucumber syrup, and topped with a splash of soda. Makes two.

Cayenne Pepper Smoothie

Healthy Cayenne Pepper Smoothie

by

A flavorful energy booster…

Smoothies are an excellent way to gain the benefits of lots of fruits and vegetables in one serving, and we love them, too, with a little kick. Sure you could add cayenne pepper to just any smoothie and it may (or may not) work taste-wise, but here’s our favorite recipe for a hearty and healthy beverage with a kick. We love the pairing of that earthy Kale flavor with the tanginess of orange, the sweetness of honey, and the spiciness of cayenne. The fact that it’s so very good for you, too, is just icing on the cake. Kale and cayenne is a potent energy boosting combo. 

Read more

Chunky homemade Thai chili sauce with chopped red chilies in a shallow speckled bowl, next to a plate of fried egg rolls with one cut open to show the filling.

Homemade Thai Chili Sauce

by

What’s an egg roll, spring roll, or fried wonton to do without a little spicy sauce on the side? The same, of course, could be said about nearly anything in our books, but in this instance a bold Thai chili sauce is well in order. …

Read more

A bowl of light rust-colored ancho aioli with grilled shrimp, a lime wedge and a dried ancho chili on a worn cutting board

Ancho Aioli

by

A creamy ancho aioli with rehydrated ancho chili, lime, cilantro, garlic and cumin. Very mild and earthy, for grilled shrimp, crab cakes and fries.

Two tall glasses of spicy Caesar cocktail over ice with celery salt rims, celery stalks and a lime wedge, on a wooden pantry shelf

Spicy Caesar Cocktail

by

The Caesar is the Canadian cousin of the Bloody Mary, and this spicy version gets its kick from jalapeño-spiked Clamato Picante and a few dashes of Tabasco.

spicy cajun cream sauce

Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce

by

Delicious…from pasta sauce to dipping sauce. Spicy Cajun cream sauce is not only tasty, it’s also very versatile. It’s obviously a good choice for adding a touch of spice to basic pasta. But try it, too, topping some chicken cutlets or as a dipping sauce side for …

Read more

Homemade Creole seasoning

Homemade Creole Seasoning

by

Put that spice rack to work…

Just like Cajun seasoning, Creole seasoning is relatively easy to make at home. All it takes is a few more ingredients beyond its Cajun cousin. This recipe is overall light on salt compared to commercial options out there, so play with the amount you use to get the flavor you’re looking for in your dish. The heat is provided by cayenne pepper powder with a little coming from the sweet paprika base. If you want to temper down the spice, cut a tablespoon of cayenne and replace it with paprika.

Read more