Chile Crisp Recipes

CHILE CRISP

Steps:

• Heat the oil, black beans, Szechuan peppercorns, cardamom pods, 4 star anise, 3 cinnamon sticks and all but 1 slice of ginger in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until the oil reaches 250 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes to infuse.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the gochugaru, red pepper flakes, Kashmiri red chile powder, sugar, MSG, garlic, onion remaining star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger slice and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium heat-proof bowl.
• Strain the spiced oil through a fine mesh sieve into the dry chile mixture and stir to combine. (Discard the oil-soaked whole spices.) Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. The flavor will develop and intensify as it sits. Serve when completely cool.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

CHILE CRISP

Steps:

• Combine the oil, onion, 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the chiles, sesame seeds and Sichuan peppercorns, if using, and sizzle, stirring, for 1 minute, then stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Spoon over everything. It adds big flavor to milder bases, such as eggs, tofu, noodles, rice, vegetables, white fish, lean pork and chicken breast.

CHILE CRISP

Steps:

• Bring shallots, garlic, cinnamon, star anise, and oil to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, reducing heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer and swirling pan occasionally, until shallots and garlic are browned and crisp, 20-25 minutes. (Take your time-you want to drive all the moisture out of the shallots and garlic before they brown.)
• Mix ginger, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl to combine. Strain shallot mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into ginger mixture. Let shallots and garlic cool in sieve (this will allow them to crisp further), then stir into sauce.
• Do Ahead: Chile crisp can be made 1 month ahead. Cover and chill.

HOMEMADE CHILI CRISP

Steps:

• Bring oil, shallots, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium saucepan. Continue simmering, swishing oil around occasionally, until garlic and shallots are browned, about 20 minutes.
• Mix red pepper flakes, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, mushroom powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Strain shallot mixture through a fine mesh sieve over the ginger-pepper flake mixture. Let garlic and shallot pieces cool in sieve before stirring back into the infused oil. Pour into a glass container with a top and chill until ready to use.

CHILE-CRISP CHICKPEA RICE BOWLS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rice rest, covered, until ready to eat. (Alternatively, cook rice in a rice cooker or however you like to cook rice.)
• While the rice cooks, make the chickpeas: Add the chile crisp to a large (12-inch), nonstick skillet and heat over medium. (Make sure there is enough oil - not just solids - covering the bottom of the skillet. If your chile oil is mostly solids, add a little neutral oil to cover to skillet.)
• Add the chickpeas and a pinch of sugar, stir to coat in the oil, then spread into an even layer. Cook until the chickpeas start to sizzle, 2 to 3 minutes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp all over, 7 to 10 minutes more. If the pan looks dry at any point, add a drizzle of neutral oil (or more chile crisp if you want it really, really spicy).
• While the chickpeas and rice cook, stir together the tomatoes, celery, celery leaves, cilantro, soy sauce and a pinch of sugar in a medium bowl.
• When the rice and chickpeas are ready, divide the rice among plates or bowls. Pour some of the liquid from the bowl of tomatoes over the rice, then top with the tomatoes and celery, the chickpeas and more chile crisp, if desired.