Ingredients
- 25g (3/4 cup) dried chili flakes 🌶️ or optional: dried Kashmiri red chiles, stems removed (see note)
- 1/2 cup (50 g) roasted, salted peanuts, chopped
- 30g fresh ginger, sliced into thin matchsticks
- 3 pieces whole star anise
- 2 red or black cardamom pods, split in half
- 3 tbsp (28 g) freshly ground Sichuan peppercorn
- 2 tbsp (20 g) maple syrup
- 5 tsp (30 g) salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same by weight
- 2 tsp (6 g) freshly ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp (2 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 cups (500 g) canola oil, or any other neutral oil
- 2 cups (200 g) thinly sliced shallots (about 1 mm thick)*
- 3/4 cup (65 g) thinly sliced garlic (about 1mm thick)*
*The easiest way to thinly slice the shallots and garlic is to use a mandoline.
Method
- Combine chile flakes with peanuts, ginger, star anise, cardamom, Sichuan peppercorn, mushroom powder, maple syrup, salt, cumin, and black pepper. Set aside.
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Set a fine-mesh strainer over a 2-quart heatproof bowl. In a 4-quart saucepan, combine oil and shallots. Cook over high heat while constantly stirring. Once shallots become light golden brown, strain. Pour oil back into pot and add garlic. Cook over medium-low heat, constantly stirring, until light golden brown, then strain. Return oil to pot once more. Set aside fried shallots and garlic.
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Heat oil to 375°F (190°C). Pour hot oil over chiles, spices, and other seasonings. Stir well to distribute hot oil throughout. Set aside to fully cool, about 30 minutes or until bowl or pot is cool to the touch.
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Once chile-and-oil mixture has fully cooled, remove star anise and cardamom pods. Mix in fried shallots and garlic. Pour finished chili crisp into jars and store in the fridge for about 3 months. It can be served immediately, but for best flavor, eat it the next day. Stir well before serving.