Chili Oil

Ingredients

• 2 cups neutral oil
• ½ cup chile flakes
• 2–3 whole chiles
• 1–2 teaspoons hot paprika

Steps

1. If a smokey flavour is desired, toast the whole peppers and Szechuan peppercorn separately in a dry frying pan over medium-heat until you can smell them in the kitchen, stirring constantly (this takes only a few minutes).
2. Chop the peppers if used (or cut them with scissors, or crush them in a mortar and pestle).
3. Set aside.
4. Add your oil to a pot or saucepan over medium high-heat.
5. Allow it to heat until the viscosity of the oil is reduced and the surface shimmers.
6. To the hot oil, carefully add all remaining ingredients.
7. Stir gently, lowering the heat if required to keep the oil below a simmer.
8. Remove from heat once the chilis have blackened.
9. Allow the oil to cool (the chilis will sink to the bottom).
10. In higher-class restaurants in China and abroad, the oil is frequently strained or “poured off” of the layer of solids, which clarifies it somewhat.
11. This step is optional.
12. Many prefer the more rustic look (and texture!) of home-made oil, which will develop a darker colour over time from the solids below.