Recently our writing team bounced around the topic of spicy foods and namely if anyone was especially a fan. Being brand new to the spicy food-lovers scene, I was anxious to write about my new found joy!
I think that while there are a lot of people that grow up loving spicy food, for us late bloomers, it takes a little bot of coaxing, baby steps, and a feeling of "now or never." Once you get your feet wet, you have entered a brand new world of food that used to be untouchable, a lot like a kid who just became tall enough to ride all of the roller coasters except your taste buds are the one in for the wild ride. Check out the Photo Gallery for a "scrapbook" of my endeavor thus far, as captioned below:
- Jalapenos! Jalapenos on everything! I have recently fallen hard for these peppers and am currently putting them on everything that makes sense, namely pizza!!! They have a great crunch and perfect level of heat that makes them a phenomenal spice agent!
- California Pizza Kitchen's Chipotle Chicken Pizza. My boyfriend turned me on to this a couple of months ago. Slightly sweet and fluffy crust, chipotle adobo sauce, grilled chicken, fire-roasted poblano peppers, and Monterrey Jack cheese. Topped with roasted corn and black bean salsa, cilantro, and lime crema. This pizza builds the spiciness as you go so by then end it can become a challenge of hunger vs. spice. This pizza is best cooled off with with CPK's Mango Mango Mojito.
- I have taken Indian food to the next level by ordering medium heat instead of mild. The heat folds into the sauce so well and takes the food to a more traditional level, rather than the wimpy Americanized heat-free option.
- Pepper Jack cheese. This is the most simple of the gallery, but I've learned that it can take a simple hamburger or sandwich to a full-flavored explosion. Having a slice melted into my panini or onto my hamburger patty literally adds a layer of fun to the food and provides a great kick that I never would have guessed would be so supremely satisfying.
As I said, I'm still to this world so my favorites list so far is really just everything I've tried. Like anytime I discover a new food that I like (mushrooms, avocado, and tuna to name a few) I take it upon myself to order anything and everything I can so I can expand my palette and familiarity with the food to its fullest. The challenge wages on!
What are your favorite spicy foods? Are anything of these among them? Have you always craved the spice or did you acquire the taste?image source
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Comments (9)
I do like mildly spicy foods--and I didn't always appreciate them. I've made fajitas with some sliced up poblanos in place of bell peppers. I like salsas spiked with fresh jalapenos or serrano chiles, For curries and other spicy stew-type dishes, I still prefer mild so I can better appreciate the flavor of the dish, not just how hot can it be. Some dishes that can use some spice, I employ some Tapatio or Sriracha sauce, depending on the dish.
I like spicy. I don't like it whem my tastebuds are whimpering in pain. (I mean, the sound of whimpering tastebuds is not a pretty sight.) That being said, I did try the habanero salsa at Qdoba earlier this year. It didn't burn as bad as much as I thought it would.
My favorite spicy food are Tteokbokki (it's spicy and sweet, I love that taste) and Hot wings!
When the weather is cold I usually craving for spicy food
I LOVE spicy food. I will usually order the spiciest option at Indian restaurants and wing-warehouses. I recently made a "hot sauce" with red cayenne peppers, and HOT DANG is it hot!
If it can make me cry, it's good
I feel like I've always liked spicy food. Growing up my mom would cook different things that were spicy and I always ate the food.
now it's time you venture into the world of thai, malaysian/indonesian, and szechuan chinese cuisines. happy eating :)
I love spicy food and I bought some Pepper Jack cheese yesterday but I hated it because the cheese had no flavor. I did like the extra spice, but the cheese was just so boring - normally I get something like extra sharp Cheddar or something super smelly.
I make some stir fry noodles that will kick you in the teeth and then come back for round two. Need the bao to go with 'em, or they're practically unbearable... but oh so good.
Not trying to hate...just that I'm Caribbean-born, and trrrusst me...we know spicy food!
The indian food you listed is the only valid item on the list if you ask me, because come on...cheese? Pizza for crying out loud??
Damn woman! You need to come to my house and sample just a simple browned chicken with hot scotch bonnet peppers that my Mom makes on a weekly basis lol, it would beat the hell out of that chipotle stuff in no time!
I also would recommend the Thai Express restaurant and order VERY SPICY level and see if you can handle it. Caribbean-born I may be, but that stuff made even my eyes water X_X