Vegetarian – Page 37

Ajvar Sauce

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.

Spicy Thai Seasoning

by Matt Bray

Thai flavor in ready-to-use form…

Love that exotic spice of Thai food? Spicy Thai seasoning packs all of that flavor in dried form, ready to use when you’re looking for that flavorful kick. You can use it as it is as a dry rub for steaks, pork, or shrimp. Or mix it with coconut milk to create a delicious spicy marinade for noodle dishes. Just a dash, too, can warm up your grilled vegetables with an exotic twist.

The heat source? Thai chili powder, if available. It’s a big heat, so use sparingly if you’re thinking to double-down on the chili powder used in this recipe. If you don’t have Thai chili powder, opt for crushed red pepper. It doesn’t carry quite the spiciness, so use a little more than you would the Thai pepper.

Garlic Pepper Seasoning

by Matt Bray

Two popular spices, plus…

Tired of always reaching for that salt and pepper to flavor up your food? Garlic pepper seasoning is a robust spice blend that’s surprisingly versatile. It matches two of the most popular spices – garlic powder and ground black pepper – but the seasoning doesn’t stop there. Paprika provides a little sizzle, brown sugar a little sweetness, and ground cumin a delicious earthy undertone. Onion powder, parsley, and salt round things out to top off the flavors.

It’s delicious as a pork or steak seasoning, but don’t stop with meat. Mix it with mashed potatoes (or sprinkle it over french fries), try it mixed with a marinara sauce for pastas, or simply sprinkle some in oil for use as a simple dipping sauce. It’s also a terrific way to spice up popcorn. It may quickly grab that space right next to your salt and pepper on your go-to spice rack.

Pineapple Jalapeño Jam

by Matt Bray

Tropical flare… The mix of tropical fruit tang, sweet, and spicy in this pineapple jalapeño jam is such a perfect combo. Seriously very few things pair as well as tropical fruit and chili peppers, and while pineapple jam may not be a daily driver preserve …

Cranberry Jalapeño Jam

by Matt Bray

Deliciously tart with a tickle of spice…

Cranberry jalapeño jam is a perfect season-changing flavor. Late summer spice meets autumnal tang. It’s a delicious jam for use during the holidays to deliver an extra seasonal zip to the table. Though, don’t let it festiveness keep you from making it any time of the year. It’s just as tasty in summer.

The current recipe calls for seeding the jalapeño peppers, and that provides a tickle of heat. If you want more, leave those jalapeño seeds in. It’ll provide the extra kick spice lovers crave.

Spicy Whipped Cream

by Matt Bray

Add some sweet spice…

Whether as a dab of spicy for your slice of pie or as a delicious topper “with kick” for your hot chocolate, spicy whipped cream brings oh-so-tasty sweet heat to all sorts of desserts and drinks. We especially love it atop Mexican brownies – yeah, spice on spice. Or try it with a simple apple or pumpkin pie to provide a little flavor surprise.

The spice comes from simple sources: cayenne pepper powder and cinnamon (for a little extra warmth). This recipe calls for a full teaspoon of cayenne – it’s a good amount, and for those of us who are inclined to “spice it up”, you’ll be satisfied. If you’re looking for more of a mild tickle, go with a half teaspoon instead.

Habanero Ketchup

by Matt Bray

Your burger will never be the same…

Ready to graduate from jalapeño slices? Go with habanero heat! Habanero ketchup is at the upper echelon of spicy condiments, especially if you leave the seeds in during the cooking process (recommended only for extreme eaters). Even without the seeds, this is not a ketchup for the timid. It’s blazingly hot, but with that sweet tomato tang that pairs with burger oh so well. But don’t stop there, habanero ketchup is delicious wherever standard ketchup is in order: as a dip for fries, as a topper for meatloaf, or even as a tangy glaze for BBQ. Don’t forget a squirt on your next hot dog, too, to really amp things up.

And, of course, we can’t leave you without our cautionary note: Use gloves when handling habaneros. All chilies can give you chili burn, but chili burn from extra hots and above (like the habanero) is at another level. Protect yourself while handling them throughout the cooking process.

Spicy Vodka Sauce

by Matt Bray

Amp up that penne ala vodka…

Just a little crushed red pepper brings your homemade vodka sauce to life. In this recipe, we use only a pinch (or so), but if you’re heat-inclined like us, feel free to be a little more heavy-handed in the amount used.

Spicy vodka sauce is delicious of course with penne, but any pasta will do. Or try it with baked or grilled chicken. The creamy and spicy sauce brings a whole lot of flavor to the table.

Jalapeño Corn Fritters

by Matt Bray

Fire up your fritters…

A little jalapeño pepper goes far in a batch of corn fritters. It’s just enough spice to perk you up, and the cumin and black pepper provide an earthy undertone that works perfectly with both the chili pepper and the subtle sweetness of corn.

Top these fritters with a little sour cream and guacamole and it’s a dream side for your grilled meats. Or you can approach these fritters like a meal and lay out a full spread of taco fixings, like additional jalapeños, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and onions.