Matt Bray 
Guacamole is tasty as-is, but for us spicy food lovers, anything tastes better with a little more heat. So why not spice up that guacamole with a little serrano pepper? That’s what powers this simple spicy guacamole — one avocado, one bowl, about ten minutes. …
There are some mighty big numbers on the Scoville scale. It ranges from zero to the millions. Each number is known as a Scoville heat unit, but what does that mean? What are Scoville heat units exactly, and why can some of the hottest hot peppers …
Substitutions get harder the further up the Scoville scale you go. There simply aren’t many chilies carrying 100,000-plus heat units, and the ones that exist are harder to find at a normal grocery store. The good news with the habanero is that it sits in …
With that smoky heat, chipotle peppers bring a unique earthy flavor to dishes that use them. So how do you match that if you don’t have any chipotle chilies available in your kitchen. What’s a proper chipotle pepper substitute that will save the day, both in …
Sauces can wind up being too spicy for a number of reasons, including a cook underestimating the heat of chili peppers or one who mistakes one hot pepper for another. Whatever the reason, there are ways to get around excessively hot food without having to …
With the immense popularity of Mexican dishes like chili rellenos, poblano peppers have become one of the go-to chilies around the world. They’ve become common in grocery stores, especially in areas with high Mexican populations. But what happens if you need a poblano pepper substitute? To what …
Taco seasoning is one of the more useful seasoning mixes for the spicy food fan. From taco nights to game day dips, its addition adds a mild simmer and earthiness to any dish it touches. But what if you’re out? Or what if you want to change …
This is one breakfast that’s both fast to prep and beautiful in presentation. Oh, and did we mention spicy? That’s the piece de la resistance for us. Sprinkled with both black pepper and cayenne pepper powder, there’s a kick to these baked eggs in avocado. …
Schug (a.k.a. zhug, zhoug, or zhough) is a Middle Eastern condiment made from roasted green peppers, spices (including parsley, cilantro, and mint), and olive oil. It can be considered a hot sauce or chili paste, depending on its consistency. And schug can be used as …
Out of chili flakes? Cayenne is the swap you’ll actually have in the cupboard, but it’s hotter and it behaves differently in a dish. Here’s what to reach for, what to skip, and how much of each to use.
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