SPICE IT UP: HOW TO COOK WITH HOT PEPPERS

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 24TH MAY 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Hot peppers can transform an ordinary dish into something bold, flavorful, and unforgettable. From jalapeños to habaneros and Thai bird’s eye chilies, these fiery ingredients not only add heat but also depth and complexity to your cooking. Knowing how to use them correctly is the key to unlocking their full potential without overwhelming your taste buds.

Start by choosing the right pepper for your dish. Milder peppers like poblano and Anaheim add subtle warmth, while serranos, cayenne, and Scotch bonnets bring serious heat. Always consider the Scoville scale—the measure of a pepper's heat—when selecting what to use.

When preparing hot peppers, wear gloves to protect your skin and avoid touching your eyes. Remove the seeds and inner membranes if you want less heat, as that’s where much of the spice is concentrated. Roasting or sautéing peppers can mellow their heat and bring out a smoky, slightly sweet flavor.

Hot peppers can be used in a variety of ways—diced into salsas, blended into sauces, pickled for tangy toppings, or infused into oils for cooking. They pair especially well with acidic ingredients like lime or vinegar, which help balance the heat, and with creamy elements like yogurt or coconut milk, which help tame it.

Start small if you’re new to spicy cooking. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it out once it’s in. Taste as you go and experiment with layering heat from different peppers for a more complex flavor.

Beyond flavor, hot peppers also offer health benefits—they’re rich in vitamins and capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. So, whether you're spicing up a stew or firing up a curry, cooking with hot peppers is an adventure worth exploring. Just remember: a little heat goes a long way.