This post was updated on 10/20/23 to include new information. It was originally published on 6/14/14. Originally, Scoville ground up peppers and mixed them with sugar water, then tested them with a panel of tasters who sipped from these sugar-water-pepper solutions. He would then dilute the solutions bit by bit until they no longer burned the tongues of the tasters, after which he would assign a number to the chile pepper based on the number of dilutions needed to kill the heat....

This post is sponsored by Tanteo – http://www.tanteotequila.com Lucky for them we have a brand new bottle of Tanteo Habanero Tequila! It’s a fiery and refreshing mix we’re dubbing “The Summer Heat Wave”, made with Tanteo Habanero Tequila, mango puree with fresh basil, lemon juice, a bit of agave for sweetness, and club soda. So that’s what we did. And truly, aren’t mangoes and habaneros perfect summer ingredients? Essentially, peel and slice the mango, careful to only use the softest of the mango flesh....

Questions? Feel free to contact me anytime. I’m happy to help. – Mike H. Shichimi Togarashi is a highly popular Japanese spice mix used as a table condiment, much as Americans use salt and pepper. Shichimi refers to the number of spices in the mix. The term Shichimi in Japanese translates to “seven” while Togarashi translates to “peppers” - hence, shichimi togarashi means seven-pepper or “seven-spice” seasoning. It is pronounced as “shee-CHEE-mee toh-gah-RAH-shee”, and also called “Yagenbori” The popular spice mix, also known as “seven-spice powder”, is more than 3 centuries old, dating back to the 1800s....

PIN THIS RECIPE TO SAVE FOR LATER Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing They say actions speak louder than words. My actions say I am in love/borderline obsessed with this Avocado Ranch Dressing. In one week I made this Avocado Ranch Dressing twice just so I could feature it (and subsequently consume it) in my Chipotle Sweet Pulled Pork Tacos with Avocado Ranch, Chipotle Sweet Pulled Pork Taco Pizza with Avocado Ranch and BBQ Chipotle Chicken Salad with Avocado Ranch – because this dressing is completely obsessive worthy....

As the temperature finally dropped to below 50ºF (10ºC) and the rainy days are to stay for a while, my family and I are excited about having nabemono or hot pot dishes for dinner. Will we ever get tired of hot pot? We don’t think so. There is a wide variety of hot pots to enjoy—each with its unique flavor and character, special ingredients, and dipping sauces. If you are new to Japanese hot pot, check out my guide to nabemono and popular hot pot recipes....

Turkey Sliders I am writing this Turkey Sliders post the Monday before Thanksgiving because I’m already looking forward to turkey leftovers so we can all make these Turkey Sliders!! Their deliciousness will help soften the blow of saying goodbye to turkey day, food, friends and family while helping you feed your family and use up all that turkey! These pulled Turkey Sliders eliminate stressful entertaining or hosting a large group because they literally take 20 minutes to make AND they can be made ahead of time....

After making Japanese plum wine (umeshu) or plum syrup, you now end up with the used ume plums. What do you do with them? Let’s Make Ume Plum Compote We usually make Ume Plum Compote or what we call in Japanese Ume no Kanroni (梅の甘露煮). It’s much easier and quicker to reuse those plums to make compote than to make Plum Jam. I use this plum compote as a garnish to my plum recipes....

This phyllo dessert comes in many different shapes, layered, rolled (Saragli), and squares, and the choice of nuts used differs in every cuisine. It’s one of the easiest bite-sized pastry desserts you will make! Traditional baklava is not naturally vegan because it’s made with butter, honey, and sometimes egg. This rich dessert is served during festivals and happy occasions. I have a Carrot Halwa Baklava recipe on the blog where I have cut them in rhombus shape and today I am sharing the recipe for Baklava Rolls also known as Saragli....

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. There are many, many ways to make vegan stuffed peppers, but this is one of my favorite ways. I’m stuffing plump bell peppers with a seasoned mix of rice, beans, and fire roasted tomatoes with chili flavors....

We love Japanese ceramics and porcelain and have visited well-known ceramics towns such as Arita, Kaga, and Yomitan Pottery Village in Japan. While Nami has a preference for colorful Japanese porcelain, I have always been drawn to the earthy and rustic beauty of Bizen Ware (aka Bizen Pottery, Bizen-yaki). Ever since we received a few Bizen Ware cups as a gift many years ago, I have been captivated by their charm and had always desired to visit Bizen Pottery Village....

Have you ever tried Yaki Onigiri (焼きおにぎり)? These grilled rice balls are a beloved snack and lunchtime delight in Japan, frequently gracing the menus of BBQ parties and izakaya establishments. If you have an affinity for rice and grilled food, you will enjoy yaki onigiri. Picture these delectable rice balls gently grilling, their exteriors crisping to a golden brown while the rice within remains warm, tender, and irresistibly soft. A light brush of a savory glaze elevates the flavors, making them a most delicious treat!...

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. This is an easy-to-prepare dish that’s big on flavor, one you’ll be making all season long. The name “yakitori” translates to “grilled bird”. Chicken is most popularly used, though you can swap in other meats, like beef or pork....

Surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the west and towering mountains to the east, Yamagata—one of Tohoku’s top destinations—is celebrated for its breathtaking mountainous scenery. The prefecture offers a wealth of must-visit spots, from the majestic peaks of the Zao Mountain Range to the soothing hot springs of Ginzan Onsen. A cultural center brimming with historical architecture and traditions passed down through generations, Yamagata is an ideal place for a spiritual getaway....

Japanese knives (Hōchō 包丁) have a cult following by culinary professionals and passionate cooks around the world. With its world-renowned reputation for outstanding and artisanal craftsmanship, you may dream of owning one or two yourselves! Whether you cook Japanese cuisine or not, a beautifully crafted knife can make all the difference in your chopping skills and the final dish! But with all the varieties, brands, and price ranges, finding the knife that fits you can seem daunting....

Remove them. Continue to grill the eggplant, flipping every few minutes to get an even char on the skins and the flesh is softened up, another 20 minutes or so. You can see how the eggplant skin has darkened and is ready to come off the grill. It’s a classic recipe popular in Romania, emphasizing local ingredients, and even though it’s characterized as a spread, it’s much more versatile than that....

Not too long ago my little(r) girl stuck a spoonful of warm custard in her mouth all of 30 seconds after being admonished not to. When I looked up in response to her pained gasp she defensively said “But mama hot things are tasty!” It was all I could do to not laugh out loud. I frequently see custard served in things - trifles, pastries, cakes (boston cream pie), eclairs, etc and more often than not those custards in flavor and texture are right to play second fiddle....

To learn more about achar click here on my Achari Aloo post. It is a favourite of mine along with the Achari Bhindi . How to Make Achar Chicken Making Achar Chicken is pretty straightforward Step One: Combine Spices (or use a store bought mix). Coriander and Anise seeds will need a quick grind. Step Two: Stuff half the mix into green chillies that are partially slit with a little lemon juices Step Three: Saute curry leaves, a little garlic and ginger paste then add your spices, chicken, saute....

These chicken drumsticks sold me on the air fryer. Pair them with a quick salad and some sweet potato fries and you’ve got a meal everyone loves. While they’re not traditionally Pakistani like this Chicken Ginger or Chicken Pulao they have enough flavour to keep us coming back for seconds… maybe more. Five Things I LOVE About These Air Fryer Drumsticks they’re SO EASY to make! marinate, air fry. the end....

I have never cooked with amla/Indian Gooseberry before and I was pretty much excited to be trying out this dish because of its hero ingredient. While I have eaten different kinds of thokku, this one made with amla was something very new for me. I heard about this dish from my SIL’s mom. She is an excellent cook herself, always comes up with interesting recipes and I enjoy my food conversations with her....

Pork tenderloin is a lean, tasty alternative to chicken and a chameleon when it comes to flavorings. Don’t miss our favorite Garlic Lemon Butter Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Hoisin Blackberry Pork Tenderloin and Chili Dijon Pork Tenderloin. If you’re looking for a slow cooker option my honey pork loin recipe is also fantastic (note that recipe is for loin and not tenderloin). WATCH: How to make Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Bacon-Wrapped Tenderloin Ingredients This easy recipe for pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon has three components: the brine, the homemade spice rub, and the chili Dijon sauce....