I keep a detailed record of every single new recipe I try each calendar year, and I rate them accordingly. This year, I tried 122 new recipes — and these 18 were the ones I loved most.
FAQs
What is chili crisp good on? ›
Gao says she likes to put her chili crisp on pretty much everything, but “a few of my favorite ways to eat it are on vanilla ice cream (trust me), tossed into a bowl of noodles (hot or cold) for a quick dinner, and even in co*cktails like a spicy Margarita,” she says. “The options are endless.
How do you amp up jarred Alfredo sauce? ›Fresh herbs
Heartier herbs like thyme or oregano can be added in to simmer with the sauce. Add delicate herbs like parsley, basil, or chervil at the end to maintain their delicate, aromatic flavor. Quick tip: Swirl in a bit of leftover pesto to add another herbaceous twist to your Alfredo sauce.
To substitute, you can use red pepper flakes instead. Gochujang (コチュジャン) – this is a fermented chili paste popular in Korean cooking. Gochujang is a great condiment to use for savory, spicy and slightly sweet flavors. It's sold in any Asian supermarket or online.
What is Lao Gan Ma spicy chili crisp used for? ›How to use chilli crisp – Add into stir fries, noodles, soups, dipping sauces, dressings and fried rice for an instant flavour hit. See specific list above the recipe video.
Why is chili crisp so popular? ›Chili crisps containing Sichuan pepper provoke an "intense heat and numbing sensation" typically associated with mala. Besides the actual flavors, much of the appeal is often attributed to the texture.
Why is chili crisp so addictive? ›Lao Gan Ma's chili crisp has all of that, plus a big dollop of MSG. Monosodium glutamate has become a modernist-cuisine addition now, as opposed to the feared additive it was decades ago. Basically, it's the umami flavor. A funky, addictive part of the taste spectrum.
What can I add to fettuccine alfredo? ›There are dozens of variations of fettuccine Alfredo out there. You could sprinkle in fresh herbs and lemon zest or juice to cut the richness of the cream. You could also top servings with cooked shrimp or chicken for some protein, or toss in a vegetable like cooked asparagus!
What to add to jarred pasta sauce to make it taste homemade? ›Add fresh herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf), and let them simmer to give a punch of fresh flavor.
Do you add pasta water to Alfredo sauce? ›Adding that starchy pasta-cooking water to the sauce helps emulsify it, ensuring it's smooth and creamy.
What makes chili crisp crunchy? ›Most often, the crunch in a chili crisp comes from fried garlic pieces and other alliums, says Nick Cobarruvias, chef at the San Francisco restaurant Otra, who makes his own version. Roasted and crushed peanuts, soybeans, and sesame seeds can also add a crunch, and some brands include crispy-chewy dried shrimp.
Do I need to refrigerate chili crisp? ›
Recommendations vary by brand, but most chili crisp or chili crunch doesn't need to be stored in the fridge. Most companies use garlic, shallots, and chiles that have been dried, which decreases the risk of bacterial growth.
Is chili crisp really spicy? ›Some crisps are relatively mild, with only the slightest tinge of spice. Others can pack a wallop in a fraction of a teaspoon, often thanks to Sichuan peppercorns, which add a tingling, numbing sensation on top of the spice from other peppers.
Does chili crisp have MSG? ›Garlic hits you first, followed by some mild mannered funk and onion sweetness, and only a moderate heat. It's a little sweeter than others in the test. Oh, and it has MSG, so you know it's good. Many reckon this to be the gold standard for chili crisps.
Why do Chinese love chili? ›Eating chili could help deal with the effects on bodies caused by damp weather and environments. Also, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spicy flavor and red color are associated with the Fire element. In the theory of Five Elements, Fire could produce Earth, which could be represented as the stomach.
Does chili crisp have peanuts? ›Chili crisp can feature so many ingredients—like crispy fried garlic, fennel seeds, scallions, and star anise—that add all sorts of flavors. But I've stripped down the crisp to its spicy, crunchy essentials. For me that's dried red chiles, roasted and salted soybeans or peanuts, and dried onion or shallot.
What does chili crisp taste like? ›Flavor: The best chili crisp options should be spicy with plenty of umami notes. The flavors of chili, garlic, sesame, soy and more should all come together into a condiment you can't wait to use.
What to eat with Lao Gan Ma chili crisp? ›What Can You Serve Lao Gan Ma With? Stir fries, noodles, and dumplings are great uses of the Lao Gan Ma products, but the chili crisp trend has inspired a lot of interesting flavor fusions on the internet. From chili oil on pineapple, to broccoli, to fried rice, and even on vanilla ice cream.
What's the difference between chili crunch and chili crisp? ›“When we created our product, we wanted a name we could own and intentionally picked 'Chili Crunch' to further differentiate it from the broader chili crisp category, reflecting the uniqueness of Chili Crunch, which blends flavors from multiple culinary traditions,” the spokesperson said.
Is chili crisp good in ramen? ›Chili crisp is one of the most versatile condiments in Chinese cooking and can be used in dishes and as a dipping sauce for all of your favorite recipes, from dumplings to noodles and, of course, to ramen.