French cuisine and Espelette pepper (a.k.a.piment d’Espelette) go hand in hand. It’s the pepper of the Basque region and a staple for local spicy recipes due to its tasty sweet flavor and moderate heat. So it’s likely, if you’re exploring French cuisine, that you’ll stumble …
From homemade barbecue sauces and rubs to rustic stews and meals, smoky chipotle powder is a common theme in recipes. But it isn’t always a typical spice you’ll just have in your spice rack. So what should you do if your kitchen concoction calls for …
The aji amarillo chili is very popular in its native Peru, but finding it elsewhere can be a bit tricky. If your recipe calls for it, you’re likely looking for alternatives. So what’s a good aji amarillo substitute that you’re more likely to find in …
Because Thai peppers are a must for many traditional Asian recipes, they are readily available dried and jarred in many supermarkets. But what if they’re out? Or what if you want something fresh? Where can you turn? What other chilies work as a Thai chili pepper substitute, both …
Akin to Western barbecue sauce, hoisin sauce is a delicious sweet and spicy mix that’s a must for many authentic Asian meals. And it’s a terrific barbecue sauce alternative for grilled meats. Hoisin sauce is carried in most supermarkets with international food sections, but where can …
Pasilla peppers are one of the “Holy Trinity” of Mexican mole chilies, so—with the rise in popularity of authentic Mexican cuisine—the pasilla’s popularity is also rising around the world. But, depending on where you live, they can be tough to find. So what are your options if this …
All out of ancho powder? Or, more likely, you didn’t have any sitting around in your kitchen in the first place? That’s ok, you won’t have every spice every time, but it’s what you do next that counts. If you don’t have (or can’t find) ancho …
It’s not often that you’ll need a Sriracha substitute because it’s hard to find. After all, it’s one of the most popular hot sauces on the planet and stocked by most grocers, big or small. But what if you need a change of pace from the …
Morita peppers, a type chipotle pepper, are well-known for their unique smoky flavor and moderate heat. These smoked, dried jalapeños are an essential ingredient in Mexican cooking. However, they might not always be readily available in your local grocery store. Here are some of the …
You may have come across “chili sauce” as an ingredient for your next great recipe find. But this term is just about as generic as can be in the world of spicy food. What is chili sauce, exactly? And what would be a good chili …