In the world of hot sauces, spicy chili crisp is a fairly new addition to the marketplace. We’re here to break down everything you need to know about this addictive condiment.
What is spicy chili crisp?
Spicy chili crisp is a blend of various chili peppers, soybean oil, garlic, onions, spices, soybeans and peanuts. You definitely taste the peppers, but it’s not as spicy as you would think. Most of my friends who avoid spicy things have become converts and use it in small amounts in a lot of dishes.
It’s an intriguing blend of salty, spicy and umami savoriness that is so addictive. My first spoonful was on top of a saltine cracker, and with one bite I was hooked. 15 minutes later, a sleeve of saltines and 1/3 of a jar was gone. I’ve been putting it on everything I can think of since.
Where did it come from?
The most famous brand, LaoGanMa, was the brainchild of Tao Huabi. In order to support her family after she was widowed, she opened a noodle shop in the southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou, an area well known for its chili peppers and spicy cuisine. As word of her spicy noodles started to spread, she realized it was the sauce people were in love with, not the noodles. Capitalizing on the fame, she closed the noodle shop and launched the LaoGanMa Special Flavor Foodstuffs Company in 1997. Her spicy chili crisp has since become one of the most beloved condiments in China and is quickly conquering the rest of the world.
Are chili oil and spicy chili crisp the same?
While they may sound the same, chili oil is usually vegetable or other neutral oil simmered with chili pepper flakes, garlic and sometimes ginger or other ingredients. The end result is typically a lot of oil flavored with chili. Spicy chili crisp, on the other hand, can be thought of as a jazzed-up version of chili oil. When you first open the jar you’ll see a layer of oil, but when you dig into it, you find the crunchy goodness just below the surface.
What’s spicy chili crisp good on?
It may sound like a cliché but I’d ask what isn’t it good on. I think almost any time you’d normally reach for a bottle of hot sauce is a good opportunity to make the switch. Keep in mind the texture will be crunchy, so sauces or glazes won’t be the same—in some cases they’ll be better! I like to mix a tablespoon or two into a cup of mayonnaise; it makes a great dip or sandwich spread.
You can also try it on your eggs in the morning. Sometimes I’ll pour a little of the oil in the jar into the skillet before I fry up some sunny-side up eggs and then spoon more on top. Avocado toast only gets better with spicy chili crisp ladled on top as well as pizzas of all kinds. One of the most surprising uses for it is on top of vanilla ice cream. That’s right, ice cream. There’s something about this combo that just works. The sweetness of the ice cream balances the heat of the chili and the crunch is a great counter to the creamy smooth ice cream; trust me, you just have to try it.
If spicy chili crisp doesn’t satisfy all your spicy cravings, you may want to try sriracha or wasabi.
Spicy Crab Salad Tapas
I served these at a party and everyone went wild! These delicious morsels have a crispy flaky outside filled with creamy sweet crab that has a little kick. I used scalloped-edge cookie cutters to cut my pastry, but you can use a small biscuit cutter. —Vanessa Mason, Summerdale, Alabama
Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Poppers
There’s no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon jalapeno poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Even the hot pepper intolerant will love them. —Dawn Onuffer, Crestview, Florida
Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail
This seafood starter is so good that it makes me love a food I usually don't—radishes! This recipe also calls for spicy V8, but Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix works just as well. Serve the cocktail straight up, with tortilla chips or on a bed of butter lettuce. —Heidi Knaak, Liberty, Missouri
Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings
The meat literally falls off the bones of these wings! Spice lovers will get a kick out of the big sprinkling of red pepper flakes. —Sue Bayless, Prior Lake, Minnesota
Jalapeno Bean Dip
This is the snack my family usually requests. We especially like to make this zippy dip on camping trips. —Lorene Goodwin, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Spicy Edamame
Edamame (pronounced ay-duh-MAH-may) are young soybeans in their pods. In our Test Kitchen, we boiled and seasoned them with salt, ginger, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar Filling
I’m an Iowa gardener and I like to feature sweet corn in my recipes. These cute, easy-to-eat bites are a fun change from the usual appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa
Spicy Shrimp Salsa
Radishes add a wonderful crunch to this colorful salsa that is also great over grilled fish. There's just enough jalapeno to give flavor without much of the heat. —Mary Beth Relyea, Canastota, New York
Jalapeno Popper Spread
I've been told by fellow party-goers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Crispy Sriracha Spring Rolls
While in the Bahamas, friends suggested a restaurant that served amazing chicken spring rolls. When I got home, I created my own version. Such a great appetizer to have waiting in the freezer! —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Zippy Curry Dip
Everyone eats their vegetables when this creamy dip is served alongside them. The curry flavor gets stronger the longer the dip stands, so I like to make it in advance. —Priscilla Steffke, Wausau, Wisconsin
Peachy Jalapeno Guacamole
Fresh jalapenos and summer-ripe peaches give this creamy guacamole so much flavor. It's got a little kick, but I love that it's not so spicy it burns off my taste buds! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Chicken Skewers with Sweet & Spicy Marmalade
This chicken is delicious! My father-in-law loved it; he said it reminded him of growing up in Southern California. What a great way to bring summer sunshine to winter days! —Laurel Dalzell, Mantecca, California
Spicy Sweet Potato Chips & Cilantro Dip
This cool, creamy dip is a perfect partner for the spicy sweet potato chips. They're made for each other! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
Spicy Crab Dip
With cayenne pepper and hot sauce (both optional), this delicious dip doubles up on the heat. Chock-full of crabmeat, this appetizer feels special, yet it only takes minutes to prepare. —Carol Forcum, Marion, Illinois
Smoky Jalapenos
When I make these bacon-wrapped appetizers, there are no leftovers. They can also be made with mild banana peppers or yellow chili peppers. —Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa
Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
We look forward to fall in anticipation of making these spicy pumpkin seeds. I often put some in a decorated jar to give as a gift.
Shrimp Cakes with Spicy Aioli Sauce
I made these for our staff Christmas party last year; they were such a hit that I was flooded with requests for the recipe the next day. Throughout the year, whenever I needed favors done at school, people gladly helped as long as I promised to bring them shrimp cakes! This year's Christmas party is coming up, and I'm already being asked if I am bringing the shrimp cakes—I guess I am! —Linda Zilar, Kennewick, Washington
Slow-Cooked Cranberry Hot Wings
Cranberry wings remind me of all the wonderful celebrations and parties we've had through the years. My daughter’s friends can’t get enough of them. —Noreen Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut
Three-Pepper Guacamole
If you're serious about guacamole, use a molcajete. The lava stone makes a big difference on the pepper paste and is fun for guests. — Laura Levy, Lyons, Colorado
Spicy Peanut Chicken Kabobs
A little sweet, a little sour, and a whole lot of flavor! These kabobs make a wonderful accompaniment to any party or get-together. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Spread
This easy spread is based on several different relishes and spreads I've tasted or made before. I love the sweet and spicy combination of flavors. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Spicy Shrimp
Not too hot but full of flavor, these shrimp are one of a kind. They're easy to make and take to parties, where they'll impress the other guests. —Bob Gebhardt, Wausau, WI.
Spicy-Good Chicken Wings
We enjoy eating these chicken wings while watching football on TV, but make them for any special occasion for a crowd favorite! The pepper sauce gives just the right amount of heat.—Della Clutts, New Tazewell, TennesseeThe post What Is Spicy Chili Crisp? appeared first on Taste of Home.
James Schend