FOOD NEWS
The Last Thing To Do Before Tossing Used Hot Sauce Bottles
BY KYLE GRACE MILLS
Hot sauce fanatics have likely gone through their fair share of bottles, but tossing out the empty container wastes an opportunity to create a flavorful infused chili oil.
The only thing needed is a high-quality oil, though you could add a few other ingredients, like crunchy garlic chips and herbs, to create a complex condiment.
Any brand of hot sauce will work, but Sriracha, Tabasco, and Frank's Red Hot are good places to start. For the best results, use a glass bottle.
Choose what kind of oil you want to infuse. Extra virgin olive oil provides a bold, earthy flavor, but you may want something milder such as vegetable or canola oil.
Heat your oil between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit, as the high temperature will toast the spices and help them release their essential oils for maximum infusion.
Place your chosen spices and herbs into the base of your hot sauce bottle or in a heat-proof bowl with a funnel on standby. Pour in the hot oil and let it sit until completely cool.