Matt Bray, Author at PepperScale

Habanero Infused Tequila

Tequila on the edge…

We don’t know if there’s a correlation between loving tequila and loving spicy food, but if we had to guess, they’ve got to be linked. This habanero infused tequila recipe brings the best of both worlds together, converging into one extra hot bottle of pure bliss. It’s delicious as a spicy shot on its own, or try it as a mixer for a spicy Tequila Sunrise or other tequila-based cocktail.

You can control the overall heat of this habanero tequila by choosing how long to steep the habanero peppers. Less time means less spiciness; more time means an extra-hot experience. And, as always, when working with habanero peppers, use kitchen gloves when handling the chilies. Extra hot peppers and above can cause especially painful chili burn. Be protected and wash your hands immediately after handling as well.

Spicy Almonds

by Matt Bray

Sure roasted almonds alone are excellent to snack on as they are, but why not take ten minutes and turn those almonds into a fiery treat? Spicy almonds are perfect for parties, adding that extra spice twist that’ll make a memorable splash among friends and …

Homemade Green Chili Powder

by Matt Bray

It may surprise some, but green chili powder is real and just as tasty as any of the red chili powders commonly available. But the rub (no pun intended): Green chili powder is a whole heck of a lot harder to find. You can buy …

Spicy BBQ Shrimp

by Matt Bray

Grilled with a quick spicy rub…

When you’ve got your grill on, time is often of the essence. You’re likely cooking for friends and family, so the less time you have to spend seasoning and grilling, the more time you have to enjoy these special moments. Yet, you want your food to taste stellar – and in our case deliciously spicy – there’s no doubt. Enter the quick and dirty BBQ spice rub, perfect for making a batch of spicy BBQ shrimp in minutes.

The homemade spice rub in this recipe leans heavily on chili powder and cumin to provide an earthy simmer, but underneath it all is a smoky heat brought to life by smoked paprika. The rub takes only minutes to make and the shrimp grill up in mere minutes as well. In fact, what takes the most time is heating up the grill and soaking the skewers prior to use.

Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto

by Matt Bray

Cilantro and jalapeño turn a pesto Mexican, with basil holding it to the form. A no-cook sauce in ten minutes for pasta, tacos, sandwiches and fish, plus how to adjust the garlic, lime and heat.

Spicy Watermelon Gazpacho

by Matt Bray

Now this is a soup that satisfies on a hot summer day. This spicy watermelon gazpacho has that refreshing watermelon flavor mixed with the sweetness of pineapple juice and honey, plus an exotic twist of fresh ginger. Then layered on top of it all is a bright jalapeño pepper heat that …

Spicy Thai Coconut Soup

by Matt Bray

Creamy, spicy, and full of flavor…

Spicy Thai coconut soup is our favorite Asian comfort food: rich, creamy, spicy, and fragrant. It’s one of those dishes that announces its presence with smells that taste good enough to eat! It’s hearty enough to stand on its own, but pour it over jasmine rice and you have a real meal at the ready in minutes.

The heat in this recipe is delivered by fresh red jalapeño, but you can opt for a few other directions. If you want more spiciness, try Thai peppers (it’s a significant upgrade, so be ready) or if you have sambal oelek at hand, you can use a few teaspoons of it in the soup to provide a comparable heat to jalapeño.

Time’s Up Reaper Hot Sauce (Tomato Blend) Review

by Matt Bray

Edge of your seat heat, sweet tangy tomato flavor…

Check your willingness to explore the edge of super-hot if you pick up a bottle of Pepper Palace’s tomato-based Time’s Up Reaper Hot Sauce. While not as hot as some inferno-level hot sauces, it punches and hard from the first taste. But unlike many of those extreme sauces that lean into the heat and away from taste, there’s a real flavor in Time’s Up – a garden-y tomato base with garlic and onion undertones, perfect for wings, eggs, and much more. That is, as long as you can take the heat.

Smoked Chili Powder

by Matt Bray

A smoky homemade chili powder made with dried ancho or chipotle peppers, toasted cumin and smoked paprika. Great as a barbecue rub or on steaks.

Pepper Palace Ghost Pepper Sauce: Smokin’ Versatility

by Matt Bray

Slow burn, smoky sweet…

When you pick up a bottle of Pepper Palace Ghost Pepper Sauce, expect a sauce that sticks around. Not on your shelf – we’re sure you’ll find as many uses for it as we did – but on the palate. That ghost pepper heat lingers, and with it a smoky sweet tang that’s as good on eggs as it is on steaks. Though, you may be surprised – the heat here is not as hot as you may expect for something labeled with the name of a super-hot chili.