Winter Warm-Up: Spicy Dishes to Indulge In
These dishes from every corner of the globe will ignite your appetite!
On a chilly winter day, nothing beats a warm meal. A dash of spice can add that extra warmth! Spicy cuisine knows no borders and is available worldwide. If you’re on the road, you’ll discover delectable dishes brimming with heat—just wait until you take that first bite!
From fiery chicken in the Caribbean to dishes drizzled with sautéed chili peppers in Italy, here are some of the top warming meals from around the world:
Let’s kick things off with one of the hottest options!Dish: Jerk Chicken
Spice Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Details: This is no slight—it's a traditional Jamaican favorite packed with an explosive mix of spices. The chicken (or occasionally pork) is marinated or coated with a spice blend that typically features Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers, which are about 40 times spicier than jalapeños! Jerk chicken is grilled over a fire while covered, allowing the smoky essence to infuse the meat.
Where can you find the best jerk chicken? Well, on a visit to Jamaica, naturally!
Sometimes, heat doesn't always come from chili peppers.Dish: Solyanka
Spice Level: 🔥
Overview: During Russia’s chilly winters, you might crave a soup that offers not just warmth but a bit of zest! That’s where Solyanka comes in, a recipe that goes back to the 1400s. This soup has several variations—meat, fish, and mushroom—and while it may not be “spicy” in the traditional sense, each type is packed with peppercorns, pickling brine, dill, lemon, and allspice, creating a distinctly tangy flavor experience.
This dish is popular across Eastern Europe, but for a truly authentic experience, Russia is the place to go for a genuine bowl.
Locals in Indonesia might not consider it spicy, but tourists definitely will!Dish: Rendang
Spice Level: 🔥 🔥
Overview: This incredibly tender beef dish is beloved all over Indonesia, from the bustling capital of Jakarta to the scenic islands like Bali. It’s important to note that while Indonesians may not classify this dish as spicy, visitors—who might not be accustomed to the level of heat in Indonesian cuisine—often find rendang packs a punch due to its rich gravy made with ginger, garlic, shallots, and dried chili peppers.
One of the rare Italian pasta dishes known for its spiciness.Dish: Penne all’Arrabbiata
Spice Level: 🔥 🔥
Overview: While Italy is renowned for its mouthwatering pasta, it’s not particularly famous for spicy dishes. Much like many other aspects of Italian cuisine, the magic lies in the sauce. Penne all’Arrabbiata hails from Rome and elevates the pasta experience thanks to the tomatoes being sautéed with garlic and chili peppers before blending into the sauce.
The lime juice not only “cooks” this dish but also balances the heat!Dish: Aguachile
Spice Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥
Overview: Let’s break down the Spanish for this dish: "Agua" translates to water, while "chile" refers to chili peppers. The vibrant green hue hints at the inclusion of jalapeños and serranos in the sauce.
There’s a bit more to it as well: lime juice, salt, cilantro, and cucumber are key ingredients. Much like ceviche, the lime juice’s acidity is utilized to "cook" the raw shrimp, although this dish is served immediately after preparation.
You’ll appreciate the addition of vegetables, such as raw onions or avocado slices, which help to mellow the spice! Legend has it that this dish originated in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, close to Cabo San Lucas, so make your way to the west coast for the finest aguachile.
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