Chilli: How Many Ways to Prepare Thee?
The sensation of heat making its way into the deeper layers of your palate after tasting a dish laced with pepper, both excites and incites an ounce of fear. Despite feeling the latter, the degree of which depends on the intensity of the fiery ingredient's pungency, many still cannot help but enjoy another serving. Indeed, the worldwide demand for this exciting produce is a testament to its enduring appeal and potent ability to tantalise the senses.
Commonly associated with chili con carne and hot sauces, the unassuming 200 plus variety of capsicums have been included in many traditional and modern cuisines. Here is a line-up of the various ways these flavoursome fruits can be used in culinary exploits:
- Stuffed
A warning is in order here: this kind of concoction is ideal only for the hardcore fans of heat-inducing essence. You can use either sweet sausages, ground meat, rice, mushrooms, and cheese (or mix up a few of them together) to fill a sizeable, hollowed out pepper.
- Made into sauce
Because of the versatility of such powerful ingredients, they can be used in making different kinds of salsa and seasoning to complement a variety of dishes. Here are some popular examples:
- Red – is distinguished by the obligatory crimson tomato
- Green – is made with either herbs or tomatillos
- Black – only has dried chilli, garlic and oil
- Mole – includes almonds, other spices, and even unsweetened chocolate
- Mango – is usually topped on nachos or garnished on grilled fare
- Guacamole – has avocado as its main component and is generally regarded as a dip
- Taco – is one of the most well-known sort and is spread within tortillas or burritos
- Included in sandwiches
Simply spoon some fiery sauce within bread layers for an intensely exciting snack.
- Mixed into desserts
Have you heard of spicy ice-cream? Yes, you can put a twist to your sweet treats by adding such fiery components not only into smoothies, but also into cakes and cookies. Conquer your apprehensions and don't miss out on such gastronomical experiences.
- Combined with meat
Adding them to burger, stew, hot dog, ground beef, roast chicken, and the like helps reduce the fleshy, greasy feel of such kinds of food.
Open yourself to experimentation, as there are massive culinary possibilities with these naturally hot additives. Perhaps, one can say that the only thing that will get in the way is a limited imagination. So, how about taking a little taste of paprika or some confection sprinkled with spices? The surge of heat may help spark scrumptious ideas for your own cooking adventure.
