Hoisin is sweet, salty and thick enough to cling, which makes it useful well past the stir-fry. Marinades, glazes, dips, wraps and a few sauces built on top of it, plus what it is actually doing in Peking duck.
Peppers come in all sorts of colors, but the two most prevalent are, of course, read and green. Whether you’re talking about sweet bell peppers or one of the hotter chilies, these colors tend to dominate. So are there more differences between these chilies than their outward …
If your spice rack is anything like the norm, you likely have both chili flakes and chili powder hanging around. These are two spice stalwarts – kitchen cabinet staples – that bring a punch to dishes when you need it. But when should you use …
Capsaicin sets off the burn, but that’s only half the story. Here’s what researchers actually think is going on when you crave heat, why some people want it more than others, and where the risks start.
Cayenne and ancho peppers are both popular chilies used in Mexican cuisine. But how do they compare? Is one hotter than the other? Do they taste similar? Do they look alike? Let’s compare these two chilies so that you can make the best choices for …
While paprika is produced and used all over the world, this spice is most often identified with two specific national food cultures: Spanish and Hungarian. In both cases, the peppers used to make paprika have their origin in Central America but have taken on different …
Jalapeño peppers are known for their fresh, bright flavor and medium kick. Fresh jalapeños, of course, are the cooking go-to, though jalapeño powder is coming on strong as a spice rack alternative. This green powder has the same medium-heat and a surprising amount of flavor …
Habanero peppers are growing fast in popularity. You can now often find them right across from jalapeño peppers on grocery store shelves. But handling a wickedly hot habanero is a totally different experience than handling a barely medium-heat jalapeño. If you don’t follow some simple …
Crushed red pepper (a.k.a. red pepper flakes) are forms of coarsely ground chili peppers with the seeds left in. The chili peppers used to make the typical crushed red pepper include cayenne (most common), chile de arbol, or ancho. That said, there are many different …
In a well-stocked spice rack, there are typically a few fiery spices available. Two of the most popular are crushed red pepper and cayenne powder. They both will light up a dish, but is one better than the other depending on the dish? Is there …
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