It may be January and there’s cold winds and low temperatures but we’re feeling hot, hot, hot! That’s because January 16th is International Hot and Spicy Food Day.
There is a difference between hot food and spicy food. Hot foods may be filled with chiles, peppers, and hot sauce while spicy food may be warm, flavorful but not necessarily hot. If cooking with lots of bold spices is new to you, you’ll want to check out these6 Tips for Cooking Spicy Foods the Right Way.
Not sure which spices to use for recipes? Check out The Ultimate Spice Guide to Vegan Cooking and this Guide to Matching Herbs and Spices with Vegetables. Try the new food trend of Combining Sweet and Spicy Flavors in Your Recipes. If you need recipes, we have lots – try these 14 Amazing Dishes Made with Buffalo Sauce, 20 Recipes Made for Hot and Spicy Day, and these 21 Recipes for Your Fiery Taste Buds. Then let’s celebrate International Hot and Spicy Day by going around the world with these 15 global hot and spicy recipes.
1. Caribbean Jerk Millet Burgers With Pineapple Guacamole
These Caribbean Jerk Millet Burgers with Pineapple Guacamole are bursting with bold flavors. The millet, chickpea, and black bean burgers are packed with protein and Caribbean flair from the spicy homemade jerk seasoning that makes these burgers extra-special. The creamy pineapple guacamole balances the spice perfectly.
2. Rich and Spicy Curry Laksa That Will Rock Your World!
Laksa is a spicy rice noodle soup that’s popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries. This Rich and Spicy Curry Laksa is made with a homemade laksa paste using chile peppers for spice. The curry has coconut milk to make it rich and creamy and lots of veggies and noodles for a satisfying and vibrant dish.
3. Hot n’ Spicy Mexican Street Corn
This Hot n’ Spicy Mexican Street Corn is a vegan version of the traditional street food. Grilled sweet corn is sprinkled with cayenne pepper, drizzled with chipotle-spiked sauce and topped with fresh cilantro. This is one spicy treat and the sauce is hot, hot, hot … so go lightly if you’re not ready for the heat!
4. Spiced Up Chickpea and Brown Rice Soup
Winter is the ideal season for spicy comfort foods. With veggies, chickpeas, and brown rice, cooked in a broth with Indian spices, this Spiced Up Chickpea and Brown Rice Soup is unforgettable. Kicked up with pickled jalapenos and exotic spices, it’ll keep you warm and full on chilly days.
5. Caribbean Callaloo Soup
If you’ve never had callaloo, it tastes like spicy spinach. Callaloo Soup is a traditional Caribbean dish but this version omits the meat and puts more emphasis on using green vegetables. A little scotch bonnet peppers is all you need to make this soup spicy and delicious.
6. Tempeh Tagine Bowl
The spices of Moroccan food are warm and comforting with a little bit of heat. This Tempeh Tagine Bowl is nutritious, filling, simple to make, and absolutely delicious. It’s packed with the spiced, vibrant flavors of a tagine including cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, ginger, and cayenne pepper. The sweetness of the roasted squash and apricots perfectly balances the dish.
7. Chipotle Hummus and Fajita Veggie Taco Bowls
You could get a perfectly delicious veggie taco bowl from your neighborhood Mexican restaurant, or you could make this Chipotle Hummus and Fajita Veggie Taco Bowl yourself. The white bean hummus is spiced up with chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce and the bowl is filled with crunchy and delicious beans and veggies. Top with vegan sour cream to cool things down.
8. Jamaican ‘Beef’ Patties With Cheese
Just like authentic patties, these Jamaican “Beef” Patties with Cheese have a spicy filling of “beef” and cheese surrounded by a dough that’s flaky and flavorful. Jerk seasoning, Jamaican curry powder, and chile peppers are the trifecta of spiciness in these addictive patties.
9. Portobello Tostadas With Chipotle Cream
These Mexican-inspired Portobello Tostadas with Chipotle Cream couldn’t be more delicious! Portobello mushrooms, avocado, creamy refried beans, and cashew-chipotle cream all come together on a crispy tortilla. Cayenne and chipotle hot sauce spice things up. What could possibly be better?
10. Spicy Raw Thai Salad
This Spicy Raw ThaiSaladis going to heat things up. The Thai-inspired salad is filled with fresh raw veggies and garnished with chili cashews. The spicy Thai peanut dressing is extra spicy with chili oil and Sriracha. Make it as mild as you want or as hot as you can stand.
11. Double Stuffed Jalapeño Skins
In these Double Stuffed Jalapeno Skins, two bar favorites come together to make one delicious appetizer. Roasted jalapeno skins are stuffed with cauliflower cheese for a nutritious fusion of potato skins and jalapeno poppers.
12. Mexican Shepherd’s Pie
Put a spicy twist on the usual shepherd’s pie and make this Mexican Shepherd’s Pie that’s filled with bold flavors. The spice blend with chili powder and cayenne really heats things up. Make the chili as hot as you want or let people add their own hot sauce to their liking. The sweet potato topping will balance the heat beautifully.
13. Forbidden Rice and Mango Salad
This Forbidden Rice and Mango Salad is both spicy and refreshing at the same time. Forbidden black rice is folded in with sweet mango chunks and cucumbers, colorful bell peppers, and spicy jalapeno peppers. Mint and lime zest add a citrusy brightness.
14. Chiles Rellenos
These Chile Rellenos are a vegan version of the traditional Mexican dish. Hatch chiles are stuffed with melted cashew cheese and roasted corn and fried in a delicious beer batter until crisp. They are like little packages of fried gold, compliments of Mexico. Thank you, Mexico!
15. Caribbean Black Bean Chili
This Caribbean Black Bean Chili gets a spicy touch from the habanero peppers often used in Caribbean dishes. The butternut squash and black beans chili is seasoned with allspice, smoked paprika, garlic, and cayenne. Orange zest and juices adds a touch of citrus for color and brightness.
Is it hot in here or is just us? It must be all these hot and spicy recipes and bring the heat with so much amazing flavor.
Lead image source: Tempeh Tangine Bowl
