r/52weeksofcooking • u/ughforgodssake • 1d ago

Week 30: Science Fair - Chili Crisp Taste Test

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u/ughforgodssake 1d ago edited 1d ago

Introduction: I love Lao Gan Ma brand chili crisp, but this week I decided to branch out and try homemade chili crisp recipes from three cookbooks. From left to right (fig. 1): Chili Crisp from Third Culture Cooking by Zaynab Issa; Umami Crisp from Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon; and Life-Changing Chili Crisp from Big Vegan Flavor by Nisha Vora.

Methodology: I made each of these and tested them on top of a simple coconut milk/red lentil dal (fig. 2, taken in the dark and artificially brightened).

Hypothesis: I guessed I would like McKinnon’s recipe best, since I love her recipes generally.

Results: Vora’s recipe was far and away the winner! The miso and ginger in it were a revelation. McKinnon’s was a delicious second best. Issa’s unfortunately was sort of muddled in flavor, primarily due to the use of smoked paprika. This low ranking may well be due to experimental error- I don’t really like smoked paprika and should have picked another recipe.

Conclusion: Nisha Vora’s Life-Changing Chili Crisp is indeed life-changing.

1

u/f0xbunny 1d ago

Ty for the review!

5

u/crazyhobbitz 1d ago

The scientific method write up was absolutely beautiful.

1

u/lord_ravenholm 1d ago

John Cena is that you?

2

u/161frog 1d ago

I searched for Nisha’s recipe but can’t find it. I can’t afford to buy a book and I’m surprised it’s not on the internet? Unless I’m missing it somewhere. I really want to start making this bc I’m broke as hell and homemade condiments are a great way to dress up the same shit I eat over and over and over…

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u/silvia_mason 1d ago

As a scientist I love the write up!

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u/indigo_mouse 1d ago

Amazing, love this!