To make a fragrant and rich red chili oil, some tips and tricks are essential. Let's take a look!
1. Chili:
Use dried red chili peppers from the current year. Both powdered and flaked forms are acceptable. Chili oil with chili seeds is more fragrant, while chili oil without seeds has a brighter, redder color.
2. Oil:
It's best to use rapeseed oil, as other oils cannot bring out the same fragrance.
3. Oil Temperature:
Pour hot oil over the chili flakes, but pay attention to the temperature. If the oil is too hot, the chili will burn; if it's too cool, the chili's fragrance will not be fully released.
4. Aromatization:
After pouring the oil, stir the chili oil until it stops bubbling. Then, add a few drops of vinegar and stir immediately. You will see the oil bubble up again, releasing a rich aroma. The chili oil after this step will have a vibrant red color, a strong fragrance, and a slightly tangy, mellow aroma.
5. Color Enhancement:
After the aromatization step, once the oil stops bubbling again, add a small amount of sugar and stir well. The chili oil will appear a richer, deeper red.