10 Super Spicy Dishes For The Adventurous Palate
When it comes to spicy dishes, some people think they can handle the heat while others feel they are wise to steer clear from the burn. Whichever category you fall under, I can guarantee these dishes will at the very least clear your sinuses while at the same time, have you discover some amazing new meals. So with your glass of milk close by, here are 10 super spicy dishes for the adventurous palate.
1. Mapo Doufu
The first of our spicy dishes is a signature meal in Sichuan cuisine that is sure to get those eyes watering and is one of the most popular ways of preparing tofu in China. Mapo Doufu (or Tofu) contains many different ingredients, amongst them spicy chili bean paste, Sichuan peppercorns and chili powder that bring most of the heat to this dish.
The traditional way would be to use ground beef or pork but you can easily substitute the meat for a vegetarian option. You can also change up the measurements of the chili paste, powder or peppercorns to make it less spicy (or more if you are quite brave).
2. Spicy Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles
This particular recipe shows you how to make the hand-pulled noodles from scratch but if you don’t have the time or patience, you can always sub for store bought.
Spiced with loads of ground cumin and chili oil, these Spicy Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles don’t burn too bad but are still able to provide a nice flavourful kick to the palate.
3. Black Pepper Crab
This next spicy dish is an important part of Singaporean cuisine and packs a punch that differs from the traditional heat of chilis. The sauce that accompanies this Black Pepper Crab is (you guessed it) crushed white and black peppercorns, where the spiciness hangs around in your throat as opposed to your stomach.
Use large Dungeness crabs or Sri Lankan crabs, add in some butter, shallots, garlic, seasonings and you have a delicious and addictive super spicy seafood dish that, though quite tasty, is admittedly not for the faint of heart.
4. Pork Enchiladas Rojas
The next addition to our spicy dishes list is this recipe for Pork Enchiladas Rojas that uses 14 guajillo chiles, 4 ancho chiles and 3 merit chiles for the red sauce and filling.
To help balance out the heat and add some creaminess, the enchiladas are topped with a sour cream, avocado and lime juice puree, queso fresco and sliced onion.
5. Nashville-Style Hot Chicken
This juicy fried chicken recipe is spiced up with the addition of black pepper, a vinegar based hot sauce and over 6 tablespoons of cayenne pepper and is considered by some to simply be of “medium” heat intensity.
The result is this beautifully crisp, slightly tangy, sweet and super spicy Nashville-Style Hot Chicken, that is usually served with some white bread and sliced pickles. For a milder heat intensity, reduce the cayenne pepper to 2 tablespoons instead of the recommended six.
6. Spicy Mousse
Most spicy dishes are eaten as savoury meals and we rarely get to see any desserts that truly bring on the heat.
To rectify this situation, here is a sweet and spicy take on chocolate mousse, a Spicy Mousse, that uses 2 dried ancho chiles and 2 dried arbor chiles for a nice kick that complements the bittersweet chocolate perfectly. Top with whipped cream and more of the dried chiles for garnish.
7. Spicy New Orleans Shrimp
You don’t need to travel down south to be able to enjoy this beautiful take on Creole cuisine. This Spicy New Orleans Shrimp recipe calls for jumbo tiger shrimp coated in a rich, buttery, spicy and smoky sauce, marinated for up to 4 hours.
Heated with a mix of sweet chili sauce, chili powder, and hot sauce, this dish may not be the spiciest on this list but it sure is decadently bold and packs a flavourful punch in every bite.
8. Dhaba Style Spicy Chicken
A North Indian classic, this easy to cook spicy dish will please chicken lovers and heat enthusiasts alike. Filled with beautifully fragrant spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger paste, cumin, coriander, red chili powder and turmeric, to name a few, this dish is best served with naan or roti.
Try this Dhaba Style Spicy Chicken for your next weekday meal and watch as it disappears from peoples plates without a trace.
9. Ethiopian-Inspired Spicy Chicken Stew
The beauty of this Ethiopian-Inspired Spicy Chicken Stew is that it contains complex and varied spices that don’t simply burn but bring bold and deep flavours to the dish.
This is also a wonderful one-pot chicken meal that can be made easily and does not require an abundance of uncommon or hard to find ingredients. Serve with the traditional hard-boiled eggs and a side of veggies for a wonderful and filling repast.
10. Thai Beef With Chili
The final pick on our spicy dishes list is this lovely stir-fried Thai Beef with Chili. This recipe calls for 4 birds eye chilies but you can always add more or less depending on your heat tolerance.
It also combines the grilled beef with beautiful Thai flavours including sweet Thai or holy basil, fish sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and palm sugar. Serve with some steamed rice and sautéed bok choi to complete the meal.
