Christmas Chili Oil

This uniquely spicy, smoky oil makes quite an impressive holiday gift for all your foodie friends and family. Just be sure to save some for yourself to brush on your own Christmas turkey or ham!

Christmas Chilli Oil 470x449.jpg

Ingredients

  • (2 star) anise
  • (2 green) cardamom pods
  • (3 whole) cloves
  • (10 black) peppercorns
  • (5 allspice) berries
  • (1 Tablespoon) Sichuan peppers
  • (1 cinnamon) stick
  • (20 arbol) chili, dried
  • 960 ml (4 cups) canola oil, or grapeseed oil

Directions

  1. Place star anise, cardamom seeds, cloves, peppercorns, allspice berries, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and dried arbol chilies in a dry, non-stick pan over medium heat. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the spices release an aroma.
  2. Place canola oil and toasted spices into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Pay close attention as the oil will heat rapidly to about 160°F (70°C). Let cool slightly.
  3. Carefully decant the oil into a sterilized glass bottle. There will be small flecks of spices in the oil. If you prefer no flecks, carefully strain oil through a filter or sieve first before filling the bottle. Seal and refrigerate.

Chef's Notes

For a fun flavor variation, after you’ve poured the oil in the bottle, add 1 peeled garlic clove, 1 herb sprig, and a pinch of salt.

Ingredients

  • (2 star) anise
  • (2 green) cardamom pods
  • (3 whole) cloves
  • (10 black) peppercorns
  • (5 allspice) berries
  • (1 Tablespoon) Sichuan peppers
  • (1 cinnamon) stick
  • (20 arbol) chili, dried
  • 960 ml (4 cups) canola oil, or grapeseed oil

Directions

  1. Place star anise, cardamom seeds, cloves, peppercorns, allspice berries, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and dried arbol chilies in a dry, non-stick pan over medium heat. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the spices release an aroma.
  2. Place canola oil and toasted spices into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Pay close attention as the oil will heat rapidly to about 160°F (70°C). Let cool slightly.
  3. Carefully decant the oil into a sterilized glass bottle. There will be small flecks of spices in the oil. If you prefer no flecks, carefully strain oil through a filter or sieve first before filling the bottle. Seal and refrigerate.

Chef's Notes

For a fun flavor variation, after you’ve poured the oil in the bottle, add 1 peeled garlic clove, 1 herb sprig, and a pinch of salt.

Ingredients

  • (1 star) anise
  • (1 green) cardamom pods
  • (2 whole) cloves
  • (5 black) peppercorns
  • (2 allspice) berries
  • (½ Sichuan) peppercorns
  • (½ cinnamon) stick
  • (10 arbol) chili, dried
  • 480 ml (2 cups) canola oil, or grapeseed oil

Directions

  1. Place star anise, cardamom seeds, cloves, peppercorns, allspice berries, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and dried arbol chilies in a dry, non-stick pan over medium heat. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the spices release an aroma.
  2. Place canola oil and toasted spices into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Pay close attention as the oil will heat rapidly to about 160°F (70°C). Let cool slightly.
  3. Carefully decant the oil into a sterilized glass bottle. There will be small flecks of spices in the oil. If you prefer no flecks, carefully strain oil through a filter or sieve first before filling the bottle. Seal and refrigerate.

Chef's Notes

For a fun flavor variation, after you’ve poured the oil in the bottle, add 1 peeled garlic clove, 1 herb sprig, and a pinch of salt.

Ingredients

  • (1 star) anise
  • (1 green) cardamom pods
  • (2 whole) cloves
  • (5 black) peppercorns
  • (2 allspice) berries
  • (½ Sichuan) peppercorns
  • (½ cinnamon) stick
  • (10 arbol) chili, dried
  • 480 ml (2 cups) canola oil, or grapeseed oil

Directions

  1. Place star anise, cardamom seeds, cloves, peppercorns, allspice berries, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and dried arbol chilies in a dry, non-stick pan over medium heat. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the spices release an aroma.
  2. Place canola oil and toasted spices into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Pay close attention as the oil will heat rapidly to about 160°F (70°C). Let cool slightly.
  3. Carefully decant the oil into a sterilized glass bottle. There will be small flecks of spices in the oil. If you prefer no flecks, carefully strain oil through a filter or sieve first before filling the bottle. Seal and refrigerate.

Chef's Notes

For a fun flavor variation, after you’ve poured the oil in the bottle, add 1 peeled garlic clove, 1 herb sprig, and a pinch of salt.