FOOD NEWS
Bobby Flay Constantly Uses A Unique Red Chile On Beat Bobby Flay
BY WENDY MEAD
On his competition show "Beat Bobby Flay" on the Food Network, Chef Bobby Flay has to use some standout ingredients to take on his culinary competitors.
One of Flay's favorite secret weapon ingredients is the Calabrian chile, an Italian pepper he discovered while dining in New York City around 2013.
Flay likes how Calabrian peppers give heat to a dish that tastes different from Mexican peppers he also enjoys using. He relies on the Italian chiles to bring spice to the show.
These chiles from the Calabria region are available in three breeds: thin and tapered sigaretta peppers, conical naso di cane peppers, and orb-like carasella peppers.
All Calabrian chiles are known for their fruity, smoky quality. They contain 25,000 to 40,000 Scoville heat units, making them hotter than jalapeños and similar to cayenne peppers.
Calabrian chiles are also remarkably versatile. Flay uses them to make a seasoned, spicy oil, and also uses them to flavor everything from paella to tomato sauce.