Chili Oil

Ingredients

• ¼ cup dried red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves (optional)
• ½ cup oil

Steps

1. 1

   Place the dried red pepper flakes and cloves in a small bowl.

2. 2

   Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over high heat until it reaches the smoking point. Different oils have different temperatures of smoking point. The oil is ready when you see a swirl of white smoke coming out from it and bubbles around a pair of wooden chopsticks.

3. 3

   Pour the oil into the red pepper flakes and cloves. Stir the chili oil immediately with a pair of wooden chopsticks to help the red pepper flakes release their heat, aroma, and flavor. Let it cool for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavor to develop.

4. 4

   Drain the chili oil with a fine strainer. Discard the strained pepper flakes. The oil is now ready for use.