Chilli crisp with MSG and garlic
Chilli crisp is a regional Chinese chilli oil from Guizhou, known for its unbelievably moreish chunks of savoury onion and garlic mixed in with the chillies. Mixed with a touch of vinegar, it’s delicious with cucumbers or dumplings, or simply drizzle it over rice or chicken.
Ingredients
Metric
Imperial
- 400ml of vegetable oil
- 7 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 shallot, sliced into half moons
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tbsp of Sichuan chilli flakes
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp MSG (monosodium glutamate) powder
- 1/2 tsp cane sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
Method
Begin by heating the vegetable oil to around 160°C in a large, heavy-bottomed pot
- 400ml of vegetable oil
Add the garlic to the oil and fry until it just begins to turn lightly golden, then remove from the oil, and transfer to some paper towel to drain
- 7 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Repeat this process with the shallots
- 1 shallot, sliced into half moons
Place the oil over a low heat and add in the star anise, cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Infuse the aromatics for around 10 minutes, or until they become fragrant and toasted
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
Meanwhile add the Sichuan chilli flakes, ground cayenne, smoked paprika, sesame seeds, MSG, sugar and salt to a large metal or other heat proof bowl
- 3 tbsp of Sichuan chilli flakes
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp MSG (monosodium glutamate) powder
- 1/2 tsp cane sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
Remove the aromatics from the oil and discard them
Heat up the oil to 170°C, then pour it over the chilli flake mix. Be careful as the oil is very hot, and will bubble up as it hits the spices
Leave the chilli to sizzle for a minute or so, then carefully stir everything until combined. Leave to cool
Taste the cooled chilli oil and season with a touch of extra MSG or salt as desired
Transfer to a sterilised jar and store in the fridge. Spoon over anything you like
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