Vegetarian – Page 41

Spicy Tomato Soup

Fire up your feel-good soup.

Tomato soup is that old brisk day stand-by. It’s that soup that warms you to your core on a chilly winter’s day – a traditional staple. But for culinary adventurers, tomato soup is like a blank canvas in the kitchen. So much can be done with it to liven it up in uniquely tasty ways. For instance, it’s very simple to convert your everyday tomato soup into something spicy and a little more rustic in flavor, simply with the additions of red pepper flakes and cumin. Get ready for some real warmth down to your core now…

Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes

by Matt Bray

Turn the temp up on your mashed…

There are so many ways to make mashed potatoes tasty, but – of course – one of our faves is simply layering in delicious jalapeño pepper. The jalapeño’s bright flavor and low-medium heat work very well with potato earthiness. And mixed in as a paste, the flavor is consistent with every bite.

Spicy Oatmeal Cookies

by Matt Bray

Turn ho-hum into hot, hot, hot!

We’ll be honest, standard oatmeal cookies aren’t our thing. They tend to be too plain, just ok as a cookie. And in our books, “just ok” for a cookie is a culinary crime!

So why not spice up that ho-hum oatmeal with exotic spices like earthy cumin, fiery ginger powder, and warming nutmeg – and add a punch of heat from spicy cayenne pepper powder to boot? Now this is an oatmeal cookie that has something to say. It’ll warm up even the chilliest night, and that standard glass of milk is the perfect pairing to curb that heat!

Jalapeño Cranberry Sauce

by Matt Bray

The turkey won’t know what hit it…

Yes, a jalapeño cranberry sauce is the perfect side for a spicy Thanksgiving meal, but it can be oh so much more than that. We love it on pork chops or as a tangy grilled chicken topper with a twist. If jalapeño heat isn’t quite enough, try using serrano peppers instead. They can double the spiciness while still maintaining that crisp bright taste that pairs perfectly with cranberry.

Sriracha Slaw

by Matt Bray

Coleslaw with Sriracha heat? Yes please.

It’s true. Sriracha works with near everything. At least in our book, it’s a go-to seasoning just like Old Bay or cayenne powder. This Sriracha slaw is a good example – an everyday side is turned just a little more special with a few tablespoons of Rooster Sauce. Try it with BBQ or as a sandwich side. It’ll warm you up just right.

Spicy Cucumber Salad

by Matt Bray

Spicy and light – a tasty barbecue side.

There’s an Asian flair to this spicy cucumber salad provided by the light coating of rice vinegar, sesame oil, and soy sauce. And it’s brought to spicy life by a sprinkle of crushed red pepper or cayenne powder. It may look unassuming, but there’s a lot of flavor here. It works either as an appetizer or side, and we love pairing it as a complementary dish against savory barbecue. As different as the flavors are, they just work together.

Spicy Maple Syrup

by Matt Bray

Breathe fire into your syrup…

The beauty of this spicy maple syrup recipe is its simplicity. All it takes is a little cayenne pepper powder and you have a rich and spicy topping that’s as perfect on corn waffles as it is as a pork loin glaze. Try it, too, with fruit or berry toppings on pancakes. The sweet and spicy pairing is extra special.

Some opt for a few dashes of hot sauce to breathe fire into a syrup, but we prefer the earthy heat of cayenne. It combines well and there’s no chance of a vinegar tang due to an overly strong pour.

Healthy Cayenne Pepper Smoothie

by Matt Bray

A flavorful energy booster…

Smoothies are an excellent way to gain the benefits of lots of fruits and vegetables in one serving, and we love them, too, with a little kick. Sure you could add cayenne pepper to just any smoothie and it may (or may not) work taste-wise, but here’s our favorite recipe for a hearty and healthy beverage with a kick. We love the pairing of that earthy Kale flavor with the tanginess of orange, the sweetness of honey, and the spiciness of cayenne. The fact that it’s so very good for you, too, is just icing on the cake. Kale and cayenne is a potent energy boosting combo.

Homemade Thai Chili Sauce

by Matt Bray

Big heat – excellent for dipping.

What’s an egg roll, spring roll, or fried wonton to do without a little spicy sauce on the side? The same, of course, could be said about nearly anything in our books, but in this instance a bold Thai chili sauce is well in order. This recipe delivers the big heat of Thai chilies (50,000 to 100,000 Scoville heat units) with a pinch of garlic, sugar, and salt. Want some extra oomph? Leave those seeds in while processing. It brings this sauce to another spicy stratosphere.

Smoky Chipotle Sauce

by Matt Bray

Doubling down on smoke…

Sure chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are smoky enough in their own right, but to really deliver on the promise of this recipe’s name, smoked paprika is added into the mix, too. It’s a doubling down on smoky chili pepper ingredients to bring both that rustic earthiness and a nice dose of heat. Try it on sandwiches or simply as a dipping sauce.