Spicy Recipes

A bowl of light rust-colored ancho aioli with grilled shrimp, a lime wedge and a dried ancho chili on a worn cutting board

Ancho Aioli

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A creamy ancho aioli with rehydrated ancho chili, lime, cilantro, garlic and cumin. Very mild and earthy, for grilled shrimp, crab cakes and fries.

Two tall glasses of spicy Caesar cocktail over ice with celery salt rims, celery stalks and a lime wedge, on a wooden pantry shelf

Spicy Caesar Cocktail

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The Caesar is the Canadian cousin of the Bloody Mary, and this spicy version gets its kick from jalapeño-spiked Clamato Picante and a few dashes of Tabasco.

spicy cajun cream sauce

Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce

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Delicious…from pasta sauce to dipping sauce. Spicy Cajun cream sauce is not only tasty, it’s also very versatile. It’s obviously a good choice for adding a touch of spice to basic pasta. But try it, too, topping some chicken cutlets or as a dipping sauce side for …

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Homemade Creole seasoning

Homemade Creole Seasoning

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Put that spice rack to work…

Just like Cajun seasoning, Creole seasoning is relatively easy to make at home. All it takes is a few more ingredients beyond its Cajun cousin. This recipe is overall light on salt compared to commercial options out there, so play with the amount you use to get the flavor you’re looking for in your dish. The heat is provided by cayenne pepper powder with a little coming from the sweet paprika base. If you want to temper down the spice, cut a tablespoon of cayenne and replace it with paprika.

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homemade adobo seasoning

Homemade Adobo Seasoning

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From guacamole seasoning to steak rub…

Mexican adobo seasoning may sound exotic, but its ingredients are all common sights on the spice rack. When combined, they make a flavorful mix that’s just as perfect as a guacamole seasoning as it is a barbecue steak rub. Try it, too, as a spice for bean sides, a taco meat seasoning, or as a seasoning for a Mexican inspired salad.  It’s very versatile. The chili heat in this recipe is provided by the paprika and chipotle powder.

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A speckled bowl of homemade jerk seasoning with a wooden spoon, in front of a cast iron skillet of seared chicken thighs

Homemade Jerk Seasoning

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A homemade jerk seasoning with allspice, brown sugar and cayenne, plus how it compares to traditional jerk, how to set the heat, and what to use it on.

Poblano Corn Chowder

Poblano Corn Chowder

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A mild, creamy corn chowder built on roasted poblano peppers. Family friendly heat, a green vegetal note from the peppers, and a pot that thickens itself.

Chipotle dry rub in a speckled white bowl beside a thick raw rib eye coated with the rub on a worn wooden board

Smoky Sweet Chipotle Dry Rub

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Chipotle powder is one of those spices that once you try it, it’s hard not to crave it. That smoky heat is special, and it’s also a ton of fun to experiment with, especially with barbecue. This chipotle dry rub recipe layers that flavorful smokiness with …

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