Matt Bray – Page 83 – PepperScale

Trinidad Perfume: Super Sweet Without Super Heat

Fruity and flavorful, perfect for mild tropical salsas…

Scoville heat units (SHU): 0 to 500
Jalapeño reference point: 5 to 8,000 times milder
Origin: Caribbean
Seeds: Trinidad Perfume on Amazon

When you hear the term ”Trinidad” in relation to chili peppers, a world of super-hots come to mind: the super-fiery Trinidad moruga scorpion or one of its Caribbean relatives like the extra-hot habanero or Scotch bonnet. But in the case of the Trinidad Perfume, while the pepper carries a similar “gonna burn you up” look, its heat is far from it – it’s more akin to a bell pepper in fieriness than a scorpion pepper. Yet the Trinidad Perfume still carries that delicious fruitiness those super-hots are known for, making this chili a perfect low-heat option for tropical salsas and hot sauces.

Maple Chipotle Sauce

by Matt Bray

Sweet sweet spice…

Whether as a barbecue sauce marinade or as an on-the-side dipper, maple chipotle sauce delivers a perfect mix of sweet and spice. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce add the heat, along with a smoky and earthy flair that’s a perfect flavor foil to sweet maple syrup. It’s delicious on steaks or pork, and we love it just as much as a chicken finger dipper.

Spicy Curry Powder

by Matt Bray

Add fire to the exotic flavor…

Curry powder is already a deliciously exotic seasoning, full of fragrant (and flavorful) spices. There’s typically a warmth to most any curry powder recipe you use. This recipe, though, is here to turn up that heat just a little. A tablespoon of cayenne pepper is enough for most people looking for extra heat, but you could increase the spiciness even more by using a touch of hot paprika (instead of mild or generic), too. Use this not only for curries, but also in soups, salads, and dips.

Sweet And Spicy Chili

by Matt Bray

Here’s a sweet slow cooker recipe…

Or is it a spicy slow cooker recipe? That’s the beauty of sweet and spicy chili – you get a delicious helping of both. Sweet and spicy is a magical culinary pairing, and this chili delivers it through a healthy helping of chili peppers and brown sugar. It runs up and down the pepper scale, from red bells and smoky sweet piquillo peppers to fresh jalapeño and cayenne pepper powder. Piquillo chilies add only a light simmer of heat, but they provide a tasty smoky sweetness to assist that brown sugar in the recipe. We recommend using dark chili powder if you have it, too, as it adds a rich, slightly sweet undertone as well. If there’s none in your pantry, pick some up from our store.

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

by Matt Bray

A side of sweet and spice…

It’s no secret – sweet potato fries are delicious simply plain. A little dash of salt along with that natural earthy sweetness is plenty good. But like many things sweet – they sure do pair well with fiery spices. Here we pair sweet potato fries with a little chili powder and cayenne pepper. That’s balanced with some brown sugar to level out the sweet just right. These are unforgettable fries, whether as a side for BBQ or a burger. The cayenne pepper powder is optional to the recipe, but it does provide a nice medium heat that chili powder alone won’t bring.

Chipotle Tomato Soup

by Matt Bray

Smokin’ hot tomato soup…

Just a little chipotle in adobo sauce can go a long way into fueling the fire of your traditional tomato soup. Chipotle pepper adds a delicious smoky heat, and a little extra adobo sauce provides a nice earthy undertone to the soup. For those only moderately into spicy foods, we recommend using only one chipotle, but for those with more adventurous taste buds, you could add a second for some bigger heat. Serve with crusty bread, and you have yourself a delicious and filling spicy lunch!

Ajvar Sauce

by Matt Bray

Spicy Serbian delight…

There’s quite a delightful mix of flavors in the ajvar sauce. This Serbian recipe is sweet, tangy, spicy, and smoky all wrapped into one. And don’t let the word “sauce” fool you – this is a multi-purpose relish that can serve as well as a dipper or topper as it does a traditional sauce. It’s as delicious as a pasta sauce as it is a sandwich spread or cracker dip.

The spiciness is brought to you by cayenne pepper, with a little help (and a lot of smokiness) from smoked paprika. Don’t forgo either as each does its part to make this recipe so delicious.

Chilli Pakora

by Matt Bray

A delicious spicy Indian appetizer…

Ready for pure spicy happiness? That’s chilli pakura – an Indian spicy appetizer featuring a deep fried green chili, and – in this instance – stuffed with a delicious potato stuffing. Try it as either a starter or simply as a delicious exotic snack.

In this recipe, the spiciness comes from both the fresh chili used, as well as a decent helping of red chili powder. You can move up or down the pepper scale by being specific about the chili powder used. Opt for a mild paprika for a less spicy evening. Cayenne pepper (or a hot paprika) brings a certain pop to the dish. Or, move right up to crushed Thai pepper for some serious extra kick.

Indian Mutton Curry

by Matt Bray

A bold, hearty curry…

Not everyone has a taste for mutton, but when done right it can be a big, bold flavor. For those that don’t know, mutton is simply sheep over a year old. Lamb (sheep less than 1 year old) and mutton are equivalent to veal and beef in terms of age. Mutton is a strong flavor (lamb is much more delicate), and it can get dry when cooked poorly. But cooked smartly, it can be delicious. For instance in curry with bold savory spices, mutton’s big flavor fits perfectly.

The spiciness in this Indian mutton curry comes red chili powder and black pepper. Ginger, too, gives it some extra kick. Thai pepper works well here for the red chili powder. But if you don’t have it at hand, cayenne pepper powder works too.

The Serrano Pepper Planting Guide: A To Zing

by Matt Bray

Delicious in salsas, sauces, and salads…

Interested in growing a chili with a comparable flavor to a jalapeño, but with a little more kick? Meet the serrano pepper. It has a similar bright, grassy flavor as the jalapeño, but with a little extra spicy punch. It’s perfect for fresh salsas, homemade hot sauces, and spicy salads. Growing serrano peppers – whether in the garden or in containers – is simpler than you may think. Our serrano pepper planting guide is here to get you started.