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NFT: Red Pepper Flakes

gidiefor : Mod : 1/16/2020 11:08 am
Which ones do you use and why ?
hate to say it, but  
Bill in UT : 1/16/2020 11:10 am : link
I've got a big bottle from Costco, which at my age, will probably last me a lifetime :)
I use these...  
LarmerTJR : 1/16/2020 11:13 am : link
adds a variety of flavor to many dishes. They sell 5 varieties. Take a look.
Flat Iron - ( New Window )
A big Badia bottle  
Bill L : 1/16/2020 11:14 am : link
.
I use whatever one they sell at the store  
Model4001 : 1/16/2020 11:14 am : link
As long as they shake out of the bottle they're good enough.
Tone's Red Pepper flakes  
montanagiant : 1/16/2020 11:19 am : link
I use them on Pizza (of course), Broccoli, Eggs, Meat gravy, Soups.
RE: I use these...  
DanBenton : 1/16/2020 11:20 am : link
In comment 14781626 LarmerTJR said:
Quote:
adds a variety of flavor to many dishes. They sell 5 varieties. Take a look. Flat Iron - ( New Window )


I had never seen these locally before, but I am 100% ordering them now.
Another vote for Flatiron  
BigBlue89 : 1/16/2020 11:24 am : link
I use the Sweet Heat and Dark & Smoky varieties with much enjoyment.
I thought this would be about Pepper Johnson  
Anakim : 1/16/2020 11:27 am : link
.
RE: hate to say it, but  
aimrocky : 1/16/2020 11:29 am : link
In comment 14781620 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
I've got a big bottle from Costco, which at my age, will probably last me a lifetime :)


Why do you hate to say it? I do the same. Is there really a noticeable difference between pepper flake brands?
RE: I thought this would be about Pepper Johnson  
BMac : 1/16/2020 11:30 am : link
In comment 14781657 Anakim said:
Quote:
.


I don't think he's a flake.
Homemade ones  
Eman11 : 1/16/2020 11:30 am : link
I'm fortunate to have a daughter who grows her own hot peppers of all varieties.

She'll dry them out and make some great mixes. I currently have three different types on my counter of varying heats plus a killer habanero/ghost powdered cayenne type spice.

My cure for the common cold lol.
I used..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 1/16/2020 11:32 am : link
to use fresh dried flakes and found there was little difference between them and jarred flakes, but they were a shitmore work to do.

I'll get a big jar from Sam's and keep it on hand.
RE: RE: hate to say it, but  
Bill in UT : 1/16/2020 11:32 am : link
In comment 14781660 aimrocky said:
Quote:
In comment 14781620 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


I've got a big bottle from Costco, which at my age, will probably last me a lifetime :)



Why do you hate to say it? I do the same. Is there really a noticeable difference between pepper flake brands?


I don't know if there's much difference between brands, but some people probably think that I should, lol. I don't use more than a pinch in anything, my wife doesn't care for much heat, and it works for me.
RE: I use these...  
Mike in Prescott : 1/16/2020 11:46 am : link
In comment 14781626 LarmerTJR said:
Quote:
adds a variety of flavor to many dishes. They sell 5 varieties. Take a look. Flat Iron - ( New Window )


OMG, those look amazing. I'm going to have to order the NM blend now! Thank you.
RE: I use these...  
Saquads26 : 1/16/2020 11:58 am : link
In comment 14781626 LarmerTJR said:
Quote:
adds a variety of flavor to many dishes. They sell 5 varieties. Take a look. Flat Iron - ( New Window )


Wow thank you, this thread could be life changing.
In general with spices or any type of jarred food  
BlueLou'sBack : 1/16/2020 12:03 pm : link
goodies, I look for a "best by" date and want it to be at least 1 year from the purchase date.

Dried herbs like Tarragon, Oregano, Thyme, Marjoram can vary widely in quality depending on the source... I imagine dried pepper is the same.
You just have to learn each supplier to figure out what you like best.
I use these  
Motley Two : 1/16/2020 12:16 pm : link
another vote for using your own home-grown red pepper flakes  
Del Shofner : 1/16/2020 12:21 pm : link
- it's very easy to grow cayenne peppers and also very easy to make the red pepper flakes. You just slow-roast the harvested peppers at a low temp like 170 for as long as it takes for them to be dried out enough to crumble up into flakes (it can be a long time, like 8+ hours, but there's no work involved). They're great, definitely better than store-bought.

However - wear gloves when doing the crumbling part. I'm not usually worried about dealing with hot peppers but this is an exception, and I learned that the hard way.
The one that comes in little packets with the pizza I get delivered.  
Hsilwek92 : 1/16/2020 12:32 pm : link
One brand is called ‘Francessa’
RE: I use these  
BMac : 1/16/2020 12:33 pm : link
In comment 14781762 Motley Two said:
Quote:


I'd imagine that the mice add a certain piquant character.
I use Costco too...  
Chris in Philly : 1/16/2020 12:35 pm : link
but lately I have switched to the Trader Joe's ghost pepper mill...
RE: The one that comes in little packets with the pizza I get delivered.  
Motley Two : 1/16/2020 12:37 pm : link
In comment 14781831 Hsilwek92 said:
Quote:
One brand is called ‘Francessa’


Pairs nicely with Diet Coke?
Has any tried the Flatiron  
Scott in Montreal : 1/16/2020 12:40 pm : link
"Can't feel my face"?

Looking at it on the website has peaked my interest. How is the taste? is it just heat or is there a good flavour?

It says 750K scoville which is hot but not insane. Obviously does not have much Ghost pepper in it with the Ghost's scoville reaching around 1.1 Million.

The dark and smokey also looks nice.

I wonder if they ship to Canada.
RE: another vote for using your own home-grown red pepper flakes  
jcn56 : 1/16/2020 12:53 pm : link
In comment 14781781 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
- it's very easy to grow cayenne peppers and also very easy to make the red pepper flakes. You just slow-roast the harvested peppers at a low temp like 170 for as long as it takes for them to be dried out enough to crumble up into flakes (it can be a long time, like 8+ hours, but there's no work involved). They're great, definitely better than store-bought.

However - wear gloves when doing the crumbling part. I'm not usually worried about dealing with hot peppers but this is an exception, and I learned that the hard way.


One more vote here - a food dehydrator comes in handy, and can quickly provide ROI especially in cases like this.

I grew some ghost peppers and have some pepper flakes that are for all intents and purposes a weapon more than a spice. Side note - if you do leave the dehydrator running in your garage, for god's sake leave the door open for a bit before you go in there.
RE: Has any tried the Flatiron  
LarmerTJR : 1/16/2020 12:55 pm : link
I originally ordered the three pack. They just came out with the Sweat Heat after I ordered, and it came with a little packet of “Cant feel my face”. I have used it sparingly. Tastes awesome in a burger, but I used very little.

In comment 14781859 Scott in Montreal said:
Quote:
"Can't feel my face"?

Looking at it on the website has peaked my interest. How is the taste? is it just heat or is there a good flavour?

It says 750K scoville which is hot but not insane. Obviously does not have much Ghost pepper in it with the Ghost's scoville reaching around 1.1 Million.

The dark and smokey also looks nice.

I wonder if they ship to Canada.
Make my own every year.  
winoguy : 1/16/2020 1:02 pm : link
Grow a couple Cayenne plants, pick them all summer and let them dry. When they are nice and dry I snip the stems off and put them in a food processor. Simple and WAY better than anything store bought.
RE: RE: The one that comes in little packets with the pizza I get delivered.  
Hsilwek92 : 1/16/2020 1:30 pm : link
In comment 14781849 Motley Two said:
Quote:
In comment 14781831 Hsilwek92 said:


Quote:


One brand is called ‘Francessa’



Pairs nicely with Diet Coke?


Fucking brilliant.
Make them myself  
GruningsOnTheHill : 1/16/2020 1:44 pm : link
Habaneros from the garden along with some chopped-up garlic: a few hours to dry in the oven at 230º or so.
Thanks guys  
gidiefor : Mod : 1/16/2020 2:24 pm : link
we've grown them - but our crops have been inconsistent. My wife took to buying them from Pensey's on her travels but I think those are meh. Brought some at our coop and they were a little weird.

gonna try the Flat Irons -- thanks for the recommendations

oh  
gidiefor : Mod : 1/16/2020 2:25 pm : link
and the mouse ones above -- yecch!
.  
Del Shofner : 1/16/2020 2:58 pm : link
In comment 14782185 gidiefor said:
Quote:
we've grown them - but our crops have been inconsistent.


I put them in the sunniest, warmest spot in the veggie garden and they did great. Deer don't eat them either, for obvious reasons!
Do you start them inside or outside?  
jcn56 : 1/16/2020 2:59 pm : link
I always start the spicy peppers inside and move them out in May after a bout of hardening.

This year, I'm thinking of investing in a greenhouse. Not sure if the deer will comply though.
I bought fair-sized seedlings in mid-May and planted those -  
Del Shofner : 1/16/2020 3:17 pm : link
this is in northern Dutchess County. Worked fine - they took a little while to get going but then I had a huge crop.

I'm jonesing for a greenhouse as well. In the meantime I use a few of these guys to start earlier and go later for some things (not the peppers, though). This isn't my place, it's a stock photo.

RE: RE: another vote for using your own home-grown red pepper flakes  
Eman11 : 1/16/2020 3:27 pm : link
In comment 14781903 jcn56 said:
Quote:
In comment 14781781 Del Shofner said:


Quote:


- it's very easy to grow cayenne peppers and also very easy to make the red pepper flakes. You just slow-roast the harvested peppers at a low temp like 170 for as long as it takes for them to be dried out enough to crumble up into flakes (it can be a long time, like 8+ hours, but there's no work involved). They're great, definitely better than store-bought.

However - wear gloves when doing the crumbling part. I'm not usually worried about dealing with hot peppers but this is an exception, and I learned that the hard way.



One more vote here - a food dehydrator comes in handy, and can quickly provide ROI especially in cases like this.

I grew some ghost peppers and have some pepper flakes that are for all intents and purposes a weapon more than a spice. Side note - if you do leave the dehydrator running in your garage, for god's sake leave the door open for a bit before you go in there.


Yup, my daughter uses the dehydrator and it works great.

Good tip on the ventilation as well as the one about wearing gloves in an earlier post.
I also make my own....  
rnargi : 1/16/2020 3:33 pm : link
dry them in the sun and then finish on a low gas grill outdoors. Then through the Cuisinart. Nothing better.
RE: I bought fair-sized seedlings in mid-May and planted those -  
jcn56 : 1/16/2020 3:51 pm : link
In comment 14782299 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
this is in northern Dutchess County. Worked fine - they took a little while to get going but then I had a huge crop.

I'm jonesing for a greenhouse as well. In the meantime I use a few of these guys to start earlier and go later for some things (not the peppers, though). This isn't my place, it's a stock photo.



That looks interesting. Last year I toyed with a few plants started in Brooklyn then moved to LI outdoors, with a stop in a plastic tent as a pseudo-greenhouse as part of the hardening process. I have a chicken wire fence surrounding a 12x14 area to keep deer out.

So I figured maybe I'll eliminate the middle man and get one of these...
https://www.costco.com/americana-12'-x-12'-greenhouse-with-premium-accessory-package.product.100220577.html - ( New Window )
For those who grow your own...  
rnargi : 1/16/2020 6:49 pm : link
I get my seeds and several types of tomato plants from these guys out of NJ.

They're awesome.
Lonk - ( New Window )
RE: For those who grow your own...  
Del Shofner : 1/16/2020 7:22 pm : link
In comment 14782634 rnargi said:
Quote:
I get my seeds and several types of tomato plants from these guys out of NJ.

They're awesome. Lonk - ( New Window )


That's some selection of peppers...
RE: I bought fair-sized seedlings in mid-May and planted those -  
montanagiant : 1/16/2020 7:28 pm : link
In comment 14782299 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
this is in northern Dutchess County. Worked fine - they took a little while to get going but then I had a huge crop.

I'm jonesing for a greenhouse as well. In the meantime I use a few of these guys to start earlier and go later for some things (not the peppers, though). This isn't my place, it's a stock photo.


Where did you get those if you don't mind Del?
^^^^  
Del Shofner : 1/16/2020 7:33 pm : link
Gardener's Supply website.
RE: RE: I use these...  
smshmth8690 : 1/16/2020 10:10 pm : link
In comment 14781643 DanBenton said:
Quote:
In comment 14781626 LarmerTJR said:


Quote:


adds a variety of flavor to many dishes. They sell 5 varieties. Take a look. Flat Iron - ( New Window )



I had never seen these locally before, but I am 100% ordering them now.


+1 Me too, thanks for posting.
I have to add a couple as well.  
smshmth8690 : 1/16/2020 10:20 pm : link
Both are pepper flakes, Aleppo Pepper, and Urfa Biber. I believe they are both salt dried, and fermented. They are nowhere nearly as hot as a dried Habanero or Ghost chile. I use Aleppo any time I would use regular red pepper flakes (pizza, pasta eggs), and the Urfa Biber in a dish that is cooked low & slow, like a stew. I get them online from Kalustyan's. If you like Penzey's I recommend checking out Kalustyan's.

Also. sometimes I will pick up dried Arbol chiles at the local Mexican grocery, and just crumble them in, or on a dish.
Kalustyan's. - ( New Window )
RE: I have to add a couple as well.  
jcn56 : 1/17/2020 10:10 am : link
In comment 14782872 smshmth8690 said:
Quote:
Both are pepper flakes, Aleppo Pepper, and Urfa Biber. I believe they are both salt dried, and fermented. They are nowhere nearly as hot as a dried Habanero or Ghost chile. I use Aleppo any time I would use regular red pepper flakes (pizza, pasta eggs), and the Urfa Biber in a dish that is cooked low & slow, like a stew. I get them online from Kalustyan's. If you like Penzey's I recommend checking out Kalustyan's.

Also. sometimes I will pick up dried Arbol chiles at the local Mexican grocery, and just crumble them in, or on a dish. Kalustyan's. - ( New Window )


Two great calls there - Aleppo pepper (which tends to be finer ground and as you said a lot more mild that most red pepper flakes) and Kalustyans. Aleppo and Korean red pepper flakes are two of my favorites because they are more subtle and more flavorful.

Kalustyans is worth a visit if you've never been. They have spices from *everywhere*, and the store smells great. Bonus history side note that it's the building Chester A Arthur was inaugurated in.
RE: RE: I have to add a couple as well.  
smshmth8690 : 1/17/2020 1:44 pm : link
In comment 14783220 jcn56 said:
Quote:
In comment 14782872 smshmth8690 said:


Quote:


Both are pepper flakes, Aleppo Pepper, and Urfa Biber. I believe they are both salt dried, and fermented. They are nowhere nearly as hot as a dried Habanero or Ghost chile. I use Aleppo any time I would use regular red pepper flakes (pizza, pasta eggs), and the Urfa Biber in a dish that is cooked low & slow, like a stew. I get them online from Kalustyan's. If you like Penzey's I recommend checking out Kalustyan's.

Also. sometimes I will pick up dried Arbol chiles at the local Mexican grocery, and just crumble them in, or on a dish. Kalustyan's. - ( New Window )



Two great calls there - Aleppo pepper (which tends to be finer ground and as you said a lot more mild that most red pepper flakes) and Kalustyans. Aleppo and Korean red pepper flakes are two of my favorites because they are more subtle and more flavorful.

Kalustyans is worth a visit if you've never been. They have spices from *everywhere*, and the store smells great. Bonus history side note that it's the building Chester A Arthur was inaugurated in.


I've never been to the store, but have an online account. I've heard that the food in their
cafe (upstairs?) is ridiculously good as well. I will have to make a trip there at some point.
Yeah - the cafe is buffet style along with some sandwiches  
jcn56 : 1/17/2020 1:50 pm : link
with a middle Eastern/Lebanese twist. Also excellent, and the price is right. I used to go at least once a month just to browse what has to be a collection of every spice in the world, with a co-worker who was a Brit who insisted on going to restock on tea. The lunch was worth the walk alone, and very reasonably priced.
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