Discover the art of cooking with chili peppers. From mild to wild, learn how to bring the heat to your Mediterranean dishes.
Chili peppers have been a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine for centuries, adding depth, warmth, and complexity to countless dishes.
The Art of Heat
When cooking with chilies, the key is balance. You want to enhance your dish, not overwhelm it. Start with less than you think you need – you can always add more heat, but you can't take it away.
Our Favorite Varieties
At Crudo, we love working with Calabrian chilies for their fruity heat, Aleppo pepper for its mild, earthy notes, and fresh bird's eye chilies when we want to make an impact.
Tips for Cooking
- Toast dried chilies in a dry pan to release their oils
- Remove seeds for less heat, keep them for more
- Add chilies early for a subtle warmth, late for a punch
- Pair with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or lemon to balance the heat