Sichuan Spiced Chilli Oil

Name: Sichuan Spiced Chilli Oil
Yield: Makes 200 ml (generous ¾ cup)
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Sichuan chilli flakes; 200 ml (generous ¾ cup) neutral oil (such as groundnut/peanut); 200 ml (generous ¾ cup) neutral oil (such as groundnut/peanut); 200 ml (generous ¾ cup) neutral oil (such as groundnut/peanut); 2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds; 2 black cardamom pods, bruised; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; 2-4 garlic cloves, minced (optional)

Preparation info

Makes
200 ml

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Nutmeg Trail

By Eleanor Ford

Published 2022

About

If you’d prefer to make your own oil, here is a great one where Sichuan peppercorns lend a pricking, tingling heat and the black cardamom brings a resinous depth.

Note, without the garlic, the oil will keep for months. With the garlic, you should store in the fridge and use within a few days.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
200 ml (generous ¾ cup) neutral oil (such

Garnish
Spicy
Vegan
Gluten-free

Method

Grind the husks of the Sichuan peppercorns to a rough powder using a pestle and mortar (discard any of the shiny black seeds).

Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and set over a very low heat. Cook gently for around 10 minutes. Towards the end it should be quietly sizzling and everything lightly toasted and a pale golden.

Leave to cool, then transfer the oil along with t