Friday, December 23, 2016

The Chile Pepper Bible: From Sweet to Fiery and Everything in Between

A trio of fire 🔥🔥🔥 inspired by the Chile Pepper Bible- clockwise from the right:  Dakkous (Arabian Style Tomato Sauce), Chili Dipping Sauce for Potstickers and Harissa. #vegetarian #vegetables #tomatoes🍅 #spicy #food #cooking #cookbo
Counter-clockwise, from back: Harissa, Potsticker Sauce (not from the book) and Dakkous

The Chile Pepper Bible: From Sweet to Fiery and Everything in Between
Author: Judith Finlayson
Publisher: (2016)

Hot, sweet or in between – however you slice, dice, roast or pickle them, peppers are one of the most personality-packed vegetables (fruits?) out there. Whether you prefer the sweet crunch of mild, raw bell peppers in a salad or the flame of habanero hot sauce in your rice, there is at least one variety out there for everyone. I’ve been a chile-head for years, but only ever relied on prepared hot sauces or pickled peppers for my fire – aside from chili, what do you do with the spicy and moderate peppers out there? Well, author and food researcher Judith Finlayson sets out to enlighten us cooks in her book The Chile Pepper Bible.

Harissa made with a load of habanero and jalapeno peppers, homegrown tomatoes and Ontario garlic.
Harissa

Chile Pepper Bible is true to it’s name – this rather comprehensive encyclopedia / cookbook in one details information on dozens of chiles – hot and sweet – from their histories and growing regions to their Scoville units and health benefits. Once you’ve read up on the “whys” of the pepper world, the author opens the back end of the book up with 250 recipes that span the globe, from Chinese and Thai to Balkan, Indian and Mexican. The recipes include everything from appetizers to desserts, and include both meat and vegetarian main dishes as well as a wealth of sauces to use immediately or store for when the occasion demands. 

Piri piri sauce
Piri Piri Sauce

I couldn’t wait to get started – and with four hot pepper plants producing en masse in my garden (not to mention another 12 hot and sweet seedlings in my mom’s), I was spoiled for choice. My first creation from the book was Dakkous (p. 382), an Arabian-inspired tomato sauce flavoured not only with a hint of spicy peppers but the heady aroma of cinnamon. The combination was unexpected but no less delicious, and I not only used it for mixing into long grain rice but as a dipper for warmed pocketless pitas. I can only imagine how good it would be as a simmering sauce for chicken too. Nam Prik Num (p. 364), a Thai sauce with roasted peppers, came next – warning, if you’re cooking the peppers indoors, use good ventilation! Watering eyes aside, the spicy, chunky sauce was well worth it, and paired beautifully with roasted fish. I also had to try Finlayson’s version of one of my favourites – Harissa (p.390). This one, unfortunately, fell short of what I was hoping for (which was a recreation of one a friend brought me from Morocco), missing the rich, slightly sweet tomato notes, pop of sour from sumac (or lemon) and spicy garlic kick I knew. That said, when added to a tomato-based recipe (I used it in roasted tomato and potato soup), the flavours fleshed out somewhat and it wasn’t as obvious. I’d be interested to see how it fared in hummus too. Piri Piri Sauce (p. 314) also fared so-so on its own, but drove a ton of flavour into plain chicken breast when used as a marinade.

Nam Prik Num (Thai grilled chile salsa) made from the Chile Pepper Bible #yum #spicy #vegetarian #vegetables #tomatoes🍅 #homegrown #vegan
Nam Prik Num

Not relegated to face-on-fire Scotch bonnets or scorpion chiles, the world of peppers is vast, varied and full of flavours from around the globe. Judith Finlayson has done a wonderful job of opening the door for culinary adventurers in The Chile Pepper Bible, and I encourage you to step through and savour what she has to offer.

Available on Amazon

7 comments:

davidmocond said...

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Anonymous said...

These images only makes my mouth water. I really want to register at foodpanda to start my own Harissa venture but right now I am too busy as I am an ACCA Obu Mentor and really I don't have time for even washing the dishes.

joe_chef90 said...

This is a great book for anyone interested in learning about game development. The Chile Pepper Bible provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the various types of peppers, their flavors, and how they can be used in game development company . The book offers in-depth information on how to use peppers to create unique game experiences, as well as tips and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare and cook with them. It's an excellent resource for game developers looking to spice up their game development process!

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tomburke said...
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tomburke said...

The 'Chile Pepper Bible: From Sweet to Fiery and Everything in Between' is a culinary masterpiece that takes us on a flavorful journey through the diverse and enchanting world of chile peppers. This beautifully crafted book not only serves as an invaluable guide to understanding the nuances of different chiles, but it also inspires both seasoned chefs and home cooks to explore the magic of adding a dash of heat to their dishes. From the subtle sweetness of bell peppers to the fiery explosion of habaneros, this bible is a delightful tribute to the versatile and dynamic world of chile peppers, celebrating their role as both a culinary ingredient and a cultural icon.
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