This easy-to-savor chile oil is traditionally made with a specific chile, èr jīngtiáo (二荊條, in Mandarin). We’ve also used organic Sicilian crushed red pepper, which is spicier and lends a smoky sweetness. Sometimes we add potato crisps for a Cali-Guizhou chile crisp, which definitely is not in the rule book.

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What you’ll need

　　Chevron

　　Chevron

　　Red Sichuan Peppercorns

　　$10 At Amazon

　　Sichuan Chili Flakes

　　$9 At Amazon

　　Dark Soy Sauce

　　$9 At Amazon

　　

Ingredients

Makes a scant 1 cup

　　1 cup (240 ml) neutral oil

　　⅛ medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped

　　1 green onion, coarsely chopped

　　½-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

　　½ small cinnamon stick

　　1 black cardamom pod

　　1 star anise pod

　　½ tsp. fennel seeds

　　½ tsp. red Sichuan peppercorns

　　¼ cup (25 g) Chinese chile flakes

　　1 Tbsp. raw white sesame seeds

　　1 Tbsp. raw black sesame seeds

　　1 dash dark soy sauce

　　

Step 1

Fill a wok or small saucepan with the neutral oil and secure a deep-fry thermometer on the side. Add the yellow onion, green onion, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, fennel seeds, and peppercorns. Place the pan over medium heat and warm the oil until it reaches 300°F (no higher, or the oil will taste burnt) and the onions begin to caramelize at the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat.

　　

Step 2

Line a fine-mesh strainer with a double layer of cheesecloth and set over a heatproof bowl. Pour the oil mixture through the strainer, then gather up the sides of the cheesecloth and tie closed with kitchen twine to form a sachet. Add the sachet, chile flakes, white and black sesame seeds, and soy sauce to the oil and stir to combine. Let cool to lukewarm, then cover and let sit overnight at room temperature. Remove the sachet and gently squeeze any oil in it back into the bowl. Discard the sachet.

　　

Step 3

Transfer the chile oil to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

　　Reprinted with permission from Mister Jiu's in Chinatown by Brandon Jew and Tienlon Ho, copyright © 2021. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Buy the full book from Ten Speed Press or Amazon.