"EVERYDAY" SALSA: SALSA CASERA

Salsa casera (or ranchera) mean house salsa (or ranch salsa) in Spanish. This is the beloved day-to-day homestyle salsa that is so easy to make and tastes great with everything. There are as many varieties of salsa casera as there are Mexican households... everyone makes it ever so slightly differently, depending on personal taste, tradition, chiles available, etc. It's sometimes made with a mix of tomatillos and tomatoes, or with roasted fresh chiles serrano/jalapeño/de arbol/cayenne instead of dried. Sometimes with chiles pequin added to take the heat up a notch, sometimes without cilantro, sometimes with Mexican oregano. However you make it, you can't go wrong with this salsa. It's quite basic, fresh, and herb-y.

Salsa Casera

makes: ~1-1/2 cups

- 1 lb. ripe tomatoes

- 4 cloves garlic

- 5 - 8 chiles de arbol (or cayenne, commonly used in India)

- 1/2 white onion, unpeeled

- 1 large handful cilantro, leaves and tender stems

- 2 tbsp. distilled vinegar

- 1 tbsp. salt

1. Put the onion cut side down and the unpeeled garlic in a pan. Dry-roast on medium until the garlic is softened somewhat, charred in places, and the cut side of the onion is mostly charred. Peel the garlic and onion and place in a food processor jar.
2. Boil water in a pan large enough to hold the tomatoes. Cut a cross on the top (stem side) of the tomatoes and put into the water. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. Allow to cool and peel the tomatoes. Transfer to the food processor.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse into a salsa - don't blend into a soup! Adjust salt and lime to taste.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.

SUPER HOT PEANUT SALSA: SALSA MACHA

Macho/macha in Spanish means brave. And this is truly a salsa for the brave... it's fiery but so addictive that you'll want to ignore your blazing tastebuds as you reach for *justonelastbite*. This feisty salsa is easy to make and conveniently, it goes with everything! I keep it around in the fridge because who knows when the urge will strike to dip a few tortilla chips into it to go with a cold beer?! Or to have it over eggs, or simply with a couple of hot tortillas. Or with tamales as in the photo below.

The guajillo chile is a smoky fruity chile that isn't that high on the heat but is sultry and has a gorgeous dark red, almost brown colour. If you don't have guajillos, it's ok... you'll have a brighter coloured salsa, still just as delicious. Enjoy!

Super Hot Peanut Salsa: Salsa Macha

makes: 1 cup

- 1 cup roasted peanuts (skinned or unskinned, salted or unsalted)

- 10 - 12 chiles de arbol, (or cayenne, commonly used in India)

- 2 chiles guajillo (optional)

- 2 tbsp. white or black sesame seeds

- 3 - 4 cloves garlic

- 1 lime/lemon, juiced

- 2 tsp. salt (1 tsp. if using salted peanuts)

- 1/4 cup peanut oil (or olive oil)

- 1/4 - 1/2 cup water, to adjust consistency

1. Dry-roast the guajillos (if using) in a pan until fragrant and transfer into a bowl of hot tap water to soften for about 15 - 20 minutes while you do other things.
2. Dry-roast the sesame seeds in a pan. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Dry-roast the chiles de arbol (or cayenne) until fragrant - be careful not to burn or they'll taste bitter - then transfer into a bowl.
4. Dry-roast the garlic until the it's blackened in spots and softened a bit, about 7 - 10 min.
5. Drain, stem, and de-seed the guajillos - discard the soaking water. Put all the ingredients except water in a blender or food processor and blend well. Add water, 1/4 cup at a time to adjust consistency (sometimes I leave it thick to use as a spread, and other times I add water to make it more of a dip).
6. Adjust salt and lime to taste and serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to a week.

HABANERO-SWEET POTATO HOT SAUCE

This spicy, sweet, tangy hot sauce is so addictive you'll find yourself having it with everything! And the colour is so pretty too.

I first had this hot sauce at the incredible Cochon in New Orleans a few weeks ago. And since then I was a bit obsessed. It was so utterly delicious with enough spice, sweetness, and tang to want it over and over, that I had my muffaletta practically doused in it. As a parting gesture, I photographed the ingredients on the label (they sell bottles at the restaurant and also have the same bottles at each table).

Well I came home and couldn't get it out of my mind, so I looked at the photo with the ingredients and created a version of it. I must say this is pretty darn close to the Cochon version, with a bit more spice and a slightly thicker texture so that I can use it as a dip and a spread. And now I always have some in the fridge!

I've made it with sweet potatoes of all colours - white, yellow, orange, and they're all terrific! So use any type of sweet potato that is available to you. And if you don't have apple cider vinegar, use distilled and adjust the sugar to balance the taste.

Habanero-Sweet Potato Hot Sauce

makes: 16 oz./2 cups

- 2 medium sweet potatoes, washed and unpeeled

- 4 habanero peppers, cut into large pieces (remove the seeds from two if you want to tone the spice down a bit)

- 3 cloves garlic, cut into large pieces

- 1/2 white or yellow onion, cut into large pieces

- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

- 1/2 cup distilled vinegar

- 1-1/2 tbsp. sugar

- 1 tsp. salt (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking tray and bake for 40 - 50 min. until a knife slides easily into the sweet potatoes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
3. In a small pan, bring the distilled vinegar to a simmer. Add the garlic, onion, and habanero and simmer until the onion is mostly softened, 5 - 7 min. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
4. Put the peeled sweet potatoes, vinegar mixture, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt (if using) in a blender jar and blend until smooth. You may need to thin with apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp. at a time, to help blend well.
5. Taste and adjust sugar if needed. Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge for a few weeks.
6. Enjoy with eggs, tamales, sandwiches, burgers, empanadas, steak, chicken, pizza... whatever you please!

VEGAN KHAO SOI: CHIANG MAI CURRY NOODLES

This spicy, savoury, sweet, sour noodle soup will wake your taste buds up! I love having this healthy yet filling noodle soup in cold weather or when I'm under-the-weather-but-not-too-under-to-make-it. And.. it can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free noodles or not using noodles at all and adding extra vegetables like I do sometimes.

The fresh curry paste makes a big difference in flavour so do make it if you have time. If not, there's always next time! Adjust the salt, sugar, and lime to taste - the quantities given below are just guidelines. Customize the flavour to *your* taste buds! 

Vegan Khao Soi: Chiang Mai Curry Noodles

makes: 4 large or 6 small servings

- 1/2 cup khao soi curry paste (recipe below)

- 1 tbsp. coconut oil

- 2 cups coconut milk

- 2 carrots, cubed

- 1 handful green beans, cut into 1 in. pieces

- 1 cup sliced mushrooms

- 1 med. capsicum, cut into 1 in. pieces

- 2 cups tofu cubes

- 1 tbsp. soy sauce

- 2 tsp. sugar

- 4-5 cups water

- 1 lb. (~1/2 kg.) egg noodles (or gluten-free noodles)

Garnishes 

- bean sprouts (or fried noodles)

- sliced shallot (or onion)

- sliced hot chiles

- lime wedges

- cilantro

Curry paste (This makes 1 cup curry paste. Use half for this recipe and refrigerate the rest for up to 1 week.)

- 2 shallots, peeled and quartered

- 4 cloves garlic, peeled

- 2 Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese black cardamoms (elcha in Gujarati, badi elaichi in Hindi)

- 1 tbsp. coriander seeds

- 3 dried Thai bird chiles (or any spicy dried peppers), dry roasted

- 1 tsp. garam masala (or any curry powder)

- 1-2 in. piece of fresh turmeric

- 1/2 in. piece of ginger

- 4 stalks lemongrass, tender inner part roughly chopped (bottom ~four inches only)

- 1 bunch cilantro, stems cut and leafy tops and tender stems reserved

- 1 tbsp. lime zest

- 1 tsp. salt

1. In a skillet, dry-roast (roast without oil) the coriander and cardamom seeds. Dry-roast the dried chiles.
2. Add the roasted seeds and chiles to a blender jar. Add the remaining curry paste ingredients and blend into a smooth paste. You'll have to scrape the sides of the jar a few times to get a smooth paste.
3. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the coconut oil and add the 1/2 cup curry paste. Fry the curry paste on medium-low heat until it is fragrant and slightly dry, ~5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the coconut milk and stir to mix. Fry for ~5 more minutes until the mixture is somewhat dry. Add 1 cup of coconut milk and fry on medium-high until you see coconut oil on the surface (it will be red oil since it's mixed with the curry paste).
4. Add the carrots and green beans, turn the heat to medium if needed, and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Add the capsicum and mushrooms and stir-fry until the capsicum softens slightly.
5. Turn the heat to high. Add the remaining coconut milk and 4 cups of water and bring to a soft boil. Turn the heat to medium or medium-high and simmer until the vegetables are cooked. Add the tofu and simmer for a few more minutes. Turn the heat off.
6. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, and extra salt if needed. The soup should taste ever-so-slightly over-salted since you will serve over unsalted noodles and with garnishes.
7. Cook the noodles according to directions on the package and divide among 4 bowls. Ladle the soup over the noodles and garnish as desired.
8. Serve with generous lime wedges and extra sliced green and crushed red chiles. Enjoy hot! Refrigerate leftovers for no more than 2 days.

SPICY SICHUAN DRY-FRIED GREEN BEANS

I love string beans in all colours and forms. Green string beans are the highlight in this classic Sichuan dish, lightened up a bit. The beans are usually deep-fried for this dish, but dry-frying works really well and is less messy than dealing with a large container of oil. Adjust the spice level to your needs... the dried red chillies are of course edible, and perfect if you wish to have an inferno in your mouth! :-)

Spicy Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans

makes: 4 servings

- 1 lb. (~1/2 kg.) green beans, washed, trimmed, and cut into 3 - 4 in. pieces

- 6 - 8 dried red chillies

- 3 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 in. piece of ginger, minced

- 1 leek, halved and sliced

- 1 tsp. whole Sichuan peppercorns (optional)

- 3 tbsp. safflower oil (or any neutral oil, not olive oil)

Mix into a sauce:

- 1 tbsp. rice wine (sake is fine if you don't have Chinese rice wine)

- 1 tbsp. sesame oil

- 2 tbsp. chilli bean sauce (any chilli bean sauce is fine if you don't have the Sichuan kind)

- 1-1/2 tsp. salt

- 1 tsp. sugar

1. Pat the green beans completely dry with a towel.
2. Heat a large skillet without oil and add the green beans. dry-fry the green beans for 4-5 min. stirring constantly so they don't burn. Add the oil into the pan and continue to dry-fry for 7 - 10 mini. or until the green beans start to wrinkle. Transfer the green beans to a bowl and set aside.
3. Return the skillet to the heat and add the dried peppers, leeks, garlic, ginger and Sichuan peppercorn (if using). Stir fry until aromatic. Add the sauce and stir well. Turn the heat to high and add the dry-fried green beans. Mix well and remove from the heat. Adjust salt to taste.
4. Serve hot with rice and a cucumber salad to cool things down.

SPICY SICHUAN NOODLES

These noodles - a riff on the very popular dan dan noodles - are fiery and addictive! Don't be put off by the ingredient list. Although they sound hard to find, Sichuan pepper, Chinese pickled vegetables, and preserved chillies are easily found in any Asian grocery store, or even at a well-stocked regular grocery store.

Use any greens you'd like - this time I used sweet potato leaves from my garden but in the past I've also used sliced bok choy and spinach. I like spice but not infernal heat, so for some people these might not be spicy enough - simply adjust the spice level to your taste!

Spicy Sichuan Noodles

makes: 4 servings

- 1 recipe homemade noodles (or 1 packet of dried or fresh noodles of your choice)

- 3 - 4 dried red cayenne peppers (or any other dried red chillies)

- 4 scallions, sliced

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 in. piece of ginger, peeled and minced

- 1 jalapeño, sliced

- 2 carrots, julienned

- 1 zucchini, julienned

- 1 cup bean sprouts

- 1 cup sweet potato leaves (or any other greens)

- 3 tbsp. pickled mustard greens and/or bamboo shoots, chopped (optional)

- 1 tbsp. crushed red pepper (flakes)

- 2 tbsp. rice wine (sake is fine) (optional)

- 2 tbsp. peanut oil (or safflower oil, but not olive oil!)

Sauce:

- 1 tbsp. sesame oil

- 1 tbsp. sesame paste (tahini is fine)

- 1-2 tbsp. Chinese preserved chillies (or red pepper flakes soaked in 1 tbsp. distilled vinegar)

- 1/4 cup soy sauce

- 1 tbsp. sugar

- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp. Sichuan pepper, crushed (optional)

- 1 tsp. corn starch (optional)

Garnish:

- 1/2 cup bean sprouts

- 1 cucumber, julienned

1. In a small bowl mix all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.
2. In a large pot heat water to a rolling boil. Add the noodles and boil for 7 - 10 min. till they are al dente or cooked to your preference. Drain the noodles.
3. On medium-high, heat the peanut oil in a large pan. Add the dried peppers, scallions, garlic, ginger, and jalapeño, and give it a quick stir. Add the carrots, zucchini, sweet potato leaves, and pickled vegetables if using, and sauté, stirring constantly. Deglaze the pan with the rice wine. Add the soy sauce and crushed red pepper and stir.
4. Add the noodles and sauce, turn the heat to high and quickly stir everything together. Turn the heat off.
5. Serve in bowls, garnished with bean sprouts and julienned cucumber.

HARISSA

Harissa is a North African condiment that's got one of the most addictive flavour profiles! And, it's just at home on a slice of bread as in a complex stew or sauce. That's what makes it so brilliant! So if you like flavour with a punch, look no further! You can use any combination of dried chile types, and adjust the quantity to suit your taste and spice level. 

I have a general obsession with condiments and dips - a few, even one excellent condiment can elevate the simplest of ingredients to another level. I like having various types of condiments like harissa, pestos, salsas, salad dressings, dipping sauces, nut butters etc. around so I can make a quick meal with pretty much any fresh vegetable or fruit, cooked grains, eggs, leftovers, etc. Like this sandwich I made (photo above) with harissa and some leftover lamb meatballs with spicy tomato sauce I'd made for a dinner party (not-so-great photo below).

Harissa

makes: 1 cup

- 8-9 dried chiles de arbol or cayenne

- 2 chile guajillo

- 3 cloves garlic

- 2 tsp. salt

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon 

- 1 lemon, juiced 

- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)

- 1/3 cup olive oil

- 1 tsp. coriander

- 1 tsp. cumin

- 1 tsp. smoked paprika (optional)

- 1 tbsp. caraway seeds

1. On medium-low heat, dry-roast the chiles in a skillet without burning them (or they'll taste bitter). Transfer to a bowl filled with enough hot water to submerge the chiles, and add the sun-dried tomatoes. Set aside for 10-15 minutes. Drain and remove the chile stalks.
2. In the same skillet, dry-roast the caraway seeds. Let them cool.
3. In a blender jar, add the drained chiles and all other ingredients and blend to a smooth paste.
4. Transfer to a container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

TACOS: CACTUS AND ROASTED POBLANO CHILES (NOPALES Y RAJAS POBLANAS)

Rajas poblanas (RRAa-has poblanas) are strips of roasted chile poblano (photo below), which range from mild to spicy. I love having the smoky flavour of the roasted chile and the surprise spice in a random bite of a taco! They're a classic in tacos but equally fantastic mixed in with beans, added to soups, as a filling for enchiladas/enfrijoladas/enguacatadas, on salads, nachos, on the side with eggs, in an omelette, or in sandwiches.

Fresh unripe poblanos are a deep gorgeous green, and turn into a fiery red when they ripen. Dried poblanos are called chile ancho, and are ubiquitous in most Mexican moles. Rajas poblanas is also a Mexican dish made with chile poblano rajas mixed with crema (Mexican sour cream), onions, and sometimes chicken. It's slightly rich, but one of my favourite Mexican dishes. In addition to tinga, posole, chile colorado, alambres, and all my other Mexican favourites!

Nopales, or cactus, is a very common ingredient in Mexican cuisine. In any good Mexican market you'll find either whole cactus paddles with thorns that you take home and clean and trim yourself, or bags of cleaned, trimmed, and diced cactus ready to cook. I usually get the cleaned and diced cactus because it's a time saver. Cactus can be cooked diced or  the whole cleaned and trimmed paddle can be roasted/grilled. And along with whole roasted jalapeños and spring onions, it's an excellent accompaniment to steak!

Tacos: Cactus and Roasted Poblano Chiles (Nopales y Rajas Poblanas)

makes: 6 tacos

- 1/2 cup chipotle cashew cream sauce

- 1/2 cup salsa: salsa verde (recipe here and here) or roasted tomato salsa

- 2 cups cleaned and diced cactus

- 1 chile poblano, washed

- 1/2 medium onion, diced

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp. olive oil

- 2 tsp. salt

- 12 small corn tortillas (ask the store for tortillas for tacos, which are smaller)

- 8-10 sprigs cilantro (1/4 cup coarsely chopped)

- 1/4 cup finely shredded purple cabbage (or red or green cabbage)

- 1 lime, cut into wedges

Optional garnishes: finely shredded carrots, sliced avocado, onions, jalapeno, pickled vegetables "en escabeche"

1. Cook the cactus: Bring water to a rolling boil in a large pan. Add the cactus and boil for about 15 minutes, or till the cactus is soft. Don't overcook the cactus till its mushy or you'll have a panful of slimy green pieces! Drain the cooked cactus and set aside. 
2. While the cactus is boiling, roast the chile poblano over an open flame or in a cast-iron pan until its charred on all sides. Remove from the heat and put it in a covered bowl for 15 minutes. Remove the charred and softened skin, rinsing off any residue. Cut the chile into half and discard the seeds. Cut the roasted chile into strips - "rajas" in Spanish. 
3. In a pan, heat the olive oil and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent then add the cooked cactus and salt. Sauté for a few minutes till heated through. 
4. Transfer the chile poblano strips (rajas) and cactus into serving bowls. Arrange the cabbage, cilantro, and any optional garnishes in a platter. Warm the tortillas. 
5. Assemble the tacos: divide the tortillas among plates, stacking 2 per taco. Top with the rajas and cactus, cilantro, and cabbage. Drizzle 1 tbsp. each of the chipotle cashew cream sauce and salsa on each taco. 
6. Serve immediately with a wedge of lime, additional salsa, cashew cream sauce, and optional garnishes.

SPICY ROASTED TOMATO AND CHILE SALSA: SALSA QUEMADA

Burnt (roasted) salsa. Or salsa quemada (kay-maada), in Spanish.

If you know me, you know my vast love for Mexican food. It's endless and untiring. Combined with my equally endless and untiring love for spicy sauces and condiments it means you're sure to find a slew of dips, sauces, salsas, and pestos in my fridge at any time! I love making salsas because they're so flavourful and versatile - they go with everything. I usually have a couple of different types in the fridge - they're great when I want to put together a quick rice and bean bowl with roasted vegetables for lunch or a couple of tacos for dinner when I'm famished. 

This salsa, like most salsas, is very easy to make and tastes better the longer it sits. It's great with chips, tacos, on a bowl of beans and rice, roasted vegetables, eggs, steak, chicken, with hot fresh corn tortillas, empanadas, pretty much anything... so dig in!

Spicy Roasted Tomato and Chile Salsa: Salsa Quemada

makes: ~ 2 cups

- 8 chiles de arbol

- 2 chiles guajillos

- 4 - 5 ripe Roma tomatoes

- 1/2 white onion

- 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled

- 1/4 bunch cilantro

- 1/2 lime, juiced

- salt, to taste

- 3/4 cup hot water

1. Toast the chiles briefly in a a cast-iron or other skillet over medium-low heat until they're aromatic and slightly change colour. This should only take a minute or less... try not to blacken them — burnt chiles add an unpleasant bitterness to the salsa. Transfer the toasted chiles into a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them sit while you roast the rest of the vegetables.
2. Turn the heat to medium and put the tomatoes, garlic, and onion (cut side down) into the skillet. Turn the vegetables every few minutes to roast them evenly.
3. Remove the garlic when it has a few brown spots. Remove the onion when it's nicely charred on the cut side, and slightly softened. Let the tomatoes roast until they're soft and blackened in spots. The skin will start to peel and the tomatoes may crack slightly and release some juices. It's ok.
4. Turn off the heat and let the tomatoes cool. Remove any loose or blackened skin - it should come off easily. Peel the garlic, cut the onion into 2 - 3 chunks. Drain the water from the chiles.
5. Add the chiles, tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro, salt, and lime juice to a blender and pulse until smooth. Adjust salt to taste before serving.
6. Serve at room temperature or store in the fridge for a week. If it lasts that long!

SALSA VERDE WITH CHILES DE ARBOL

Chiles de arbol - fresh and dried - are very similar in appearance to cayenne chiles, which are typically used in Indian cooking, although the flavours of both chiles are somewhat different. Chiles de arbol are a bit woodsy and smokier than cayennes.

As a side note, in Gujarati, dried cayenne chiles are referred to as "vaghaar na marcha" - chiles used for tempering. We also pickle fresh cayenne chiles with mustard or lime, or eat them raw with a meal, sometimes dipped in salt before each bite. If you cannot find chiles de arbol in a store near you, you can use cayenne chiles for this salsa.

This spicy salsa is really easy to make and will no doubt become a regular in your fridge! It's great with chips, on tacos and enchiladas, as a simmer sauce, over baked/grilled meat or fish, with poached eggs, and - as shown above - even as a poaching sauce for eggs (thin it a bit with water first).

You can make it as spicy or mild as you want. To make it spicy, leave the seeds in the chile pods. To make it mild, break the chiles in half and shake out the seeds before roasting. Either way, it's a really delicious sauce!

Salsa Verde with Chiles de Arbol

makes: ~2 cups

- 8 - 10 chiles de arbol
- 5 medium tomatillos, husks removed, and washed well
- 1/2 medium onion (don't chop it)
- 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1/4 bunch cilantro (15 - 20 stalks)
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 cups water

1. Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet. Fill a bowl or lidded container with 1 cup of the water.
2. Remove the stems of the chiles and toast on the skillet, stirring frequently to keep them from burning. Once the chiles smell fragrant and are lightly browned, remove from the heat and transfer to the container of water. Cover and let the chiles soak while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Put the tomatillos, garlic, and onion (cut side down) in the hot skillet and roast, turning once or twice. Once the tomatillos are charred in spots and soft, the garlic is charred in spots, and the cut side of the onion is somewhat blackened, turn off the heat and leave to cool.
4. Peel the garlic, cut the onion and avocado into 2-3 large pieces, and drain the chiles.
5. Add the chiles, tomatillos, peeled garlic, onion, avocado, cilantro, salt, lime juice, and 1/2 cup water to a blender jar. Blend till you have a thick salsa (if you want a thinner salsa, add the other 1/2 cup water). Taste and adjust salt and lime.
6. Store in the fridge up to 3-4 days.

KOREAN GREEN PEPPER PANCAKE: GOCHUJEON

I love Korean food... all the various types of kimchi, banchan, stews, rice dishes, porridge (jook), dumplings (mandu), pancakes (jeon), and everything else.

Korean pancakes are a favourite snack - there are many varieties, they are a total snap to make, and go with everything including themselves! I love whipping them up when I'm tall on hunger and short on time, especially on those Friday nights at the end of a long week when I don't feel like slaving over dinner and just want a drink or two with a delish snack. There are so many kinds of Korean pancakes - seafood, meat, squash, potatoes, mung beans, and green peppers, like the ones here.

Korean peppers (in the photo above) are mild and fresh tasting with a crisp texture. If you can't find them in your grocery store, use capsicum or a mix of capsicum and deseeded jalapeños. Capsicum and jalapeños have a thicker skin than Korean peppers, but they'll work in this recipe. Korean peppers are not spicy so if you want a spicy pancake, add a minced serrano, Thai chile, or green chile de arbol to the batter.

(Fun fact: Chiles de arbol - dried red or fresh green - are the variety commonly used in Indian cooking!)

Adapted from here.
Korean Green Pepper Pancake: Gochujeon
makes: 1 12 in. pancake (serves 1 - 2 people)

Pancake:
- 1 cup chopped Korean green peppers (~4 - 5 peppers)
- 4 tbsp. finely diced onion
- 2 tbsp. minced cilantro
- 1 tbsp. fish sauce (or 1 tsp. salt)
- 1 tbsp. chopped Thai chile or other spicy green chile (optional)
- 1/2 cup AP flour (or a mix of rice flours, or your favourite all purpose gluten-free flour)
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 tbsp. oil

Soy Dipping Sauce - Mix in a small bowl: 
- 4 tbsp. soy sauce (or gluten-free soy sauce: tamari)
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar (unseasoned)
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp. sugar
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp. finely minced onion
- 1 tbsp. finely minced red or green Thai chile pepper
- 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

1. Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well into a thick batter. If the batter is dry, add water 1 tbsp. at a time till you have a thick batter, but don't make the batter too watery.
2. Heat the oil a 12 in. skillet and swirl around to evenly coat the skillet.
3. Pour the batter into the skillet and use a spoon to flatten into a pancake.
4. Cook till the edges brown and crisp up, then lift an edge of the pancake to let the oil get under the pancake so the centre can crisp up too.
5. Once the pancake edges are firm, flip the pancake over and cook for 3 - 4 minutes until the pancake is fully cooked to the centre.
6. Flip over once more and cook for 2 - 3 min. then transfer to a plate or cutting board.
7. Cut into 6 wedges and serve with any kind of kimchi, soy dipping sauce, or both.