Are you having guests for dinner? I bet you are thinking of ending the meal with the best impressions. I always take credit for desserts sealing off the evening with a memorable closure.
But what if you’re making chili? Which dessert to choose? It would be a lot more interesting if I washed out the grease, salt, and spiciness from my friends’ palate with a hint of creamy sweetness. Or rather, shall I serve a dessert that intertwines a hint of sugar and hot spice instead?
Whichever I choose, you will be surprised to know that the sound of chili and dessert is a perfect blast! Today I’ll give you some interesting suggestions.
My favorite combinations
The sound of chili and dessert might be interesting for everyone. However, thinking of it is mind-blowing. When I say dessert that goes with chili, it’s going to be a hot dinner night right till the very end.
Do you have a memory of torture after eating a super spicy meal? If you do, I am sure the experience caught you by surprise and well, maybe regrets. Thinking of a chili-themed party, I’ll surprise you with my desserts that go well with its spiciness. There are desserts that are perfect for complementing a spicy meal.
1. Yogurt, any flavor
Yogurt will serve as the magic balm on your tongue. One, if possible wooden spoon of yogurt is an instant remedy for the burning sensation in your mouth. It is the protein called casein in yogurt that helps break down capsaicin and offers cooling effects as a relief. Any kind of dairy is the best to calm down the fire in your taste buds.
Casein is non-polar just like capsaicin. Therefore, it works as a repellant binding capsaicin to avoid contact with the mouth’s pain receptors. That’s how it helps neutralize the spicy sensation, which is a lot better than drinking water. You can choose many yogurt flavors for a milk dessert.
2. Honey balls
Plenty of desserts make honey a primary ingredient for pure and healthy sweetness. Take “honey and walnut tart” for example. Let me guess, the moment you felt the unbearable tang of spiciness in your mouth, you ran and swallowed a mouthful of sugar hoping for relief. The same goes for honey!
Hence, if you were the dinner host of spicy food, it would be kind to prepare sweet desserts like “honey balls” and “honey energy bites.” Honey will absorb the oil-based capsaicin and will help you feel better. Prepare honey desserts that are easy to pick out and bite.
3. Cinnamon bread (or anything with starch)
Starch in the form of bread, rice, or potatoes offers the same relief from spicy food. Knowing that there are people who can’t tolerate chili, it’s better to place bread along with the dishes or include a main dish that contains plenty of potato as an ingredient. Any of these can help soothe the burning tang in the mouth.
It will be a relief to find your guests grabbing a piece of bread or eating mouthfuls of rice and potatoes to get rid of the hot sensation. The best bread recipe for yummy desserts is bread pudding, cinnamon bread, and sweet bread.
4. Lemon Pie
It’s your instinct to grab food that counteracts the spiciness of chili. You will feel the need to taste something that’s exactly the opposite of chili. Besides honey, lemons do the job as well.
As science proves, the alkalinity found in lemons neutralizes the acidity of the spice. Try showing off your best lemon pies and lemon crinkle cookies for dessert. For an alternative, tomatoes have the same effect too. Therefore, if you can’t find any lime, sucking tomatoes will have a similar remedy.
Are spicy desserts a good choice?
Eating chili desserts can be an experience of fun and surprise. This could happen if you bring out the best desserts with chili.
Why are spicy desserts a culinary click? Salt is not the only factor that can make sweet taste better. Hot and spicy taste not only counterpart the sugary flavor but also levels it up to a new unique tang in your taste buds. The twist makes you crave more.
Acid contrasts sweetness thus creating a variety of flavors. Find a perfect balance of sweet and spicy combinations that would make your guests crave more. It would be challenging to learn spicy desserts especially recipes from different cultures. I am sharing with you my favorite spicy dessert recipes that you’ll love, trust me!
Jalapeno Cheesecake Ice cream
This recipe is just a frozen cheesecake but contains plenty of bits of Jalapeno candies. Mix Jalapeno peppers with ice cream to add spice and life to your dessert. Make sure to chop the chili into tiny bits before blending in. And lastly, when your guests ask for the recipe, share it with them.
Ingredients
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- Make the ice cream base first. Prepare a bowl and whip in cream cheese until smooth. Blend in sugar and whip until free of lumps. Pour in heavy and sour cream and mix it for a minute. Flavor it with lime juice and salt; continue mixing until it’s well combined and chill overnight.
- Setting aside the ice cream, start preparing the Candied Jalapenos. Combine sugar and water and liquefy the sugar completely. Add all the Jalapenos and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Then, remove the Jalapenos and let it dry on a rack for an hour before chopping into bits.
- Break down Graham crackers into fine crumbs while pre-heating the oven to 350 deg. Mix in the melted butter and press the mixture into the bottom of the pan to create a crust. Bake for 15 minutes and when done, set it aside to cool down.
- After you’re done chilling the ice cream, whip it one more time. With your ice cream maker, add the ice cream base, and Jalapenos, and process it for about 20 minutes. The length of time may be different from yours depending on the consistency that you desire.
- Finally, arrange the graham cracker crumb into layers with layers of ice cream. You’ll see that when you scoop, there will be swirl traces of the crumbs. Enjoy your dessert!
Chocolate Brownies
Chocolate brownies are a rich and indulgent dessert that can elevate the flavors of a chili meal. The dense and fudgy texture of the brownies provides a satisfying contrast to the chunky texture of chili.
The sweetness of the chocolate helps to balance out the spiciness of the chili, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Brownies can be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent treat.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 100g chili chocolate (dark chocolate infused with chili), roughly chopped
- Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Preheat Oven | Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. |
| Melt Chocolate | In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chili chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. |
| Mix Wet Ingredients | In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. |
| Add Chocolate | Stir in the melted chili chocolate until well combined. |
| Dry Ingredients | In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. If you want an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients. |
| Combine | Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. |
| Pour and Bake | Pour the brownie batter into the bakeware you prepared, spreading it out evenly. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. |
| Bake | Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. |
| Cool | Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Afterward, lift them out using the parchment paper and let them cool completely on the rack. |
| Serve | Once cooled, slice the brownies into squares and enjoy the rich taste of chocolate with a hint of chili heat! |
Ice Cream
A scoop of creamy ice cream is a simple yet satisfying dessert that pairs well with the bold flavors of chili. The cold temperature of the ice cream provides a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the chili, while the creamy texture complements the chunky texture of the chili.
Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but other flavors such as chocolate, strawberry, or coffee can add an extra layer of flavor to the dish. Additionally, toppings such as nuts, whipped cream, or chocolate sauce can be added for extra indulgence.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
- A pinch of salt
Optional Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Sliced chili peppers for garnish
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions:
- Preparation of Base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt until well combined.
- Mixing the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Slowly pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, whisking continuously to ensure a smooth consistency.
- Chocolate Addition: Melt the dark chocolate chips or chunks in a microwave or over a double boiler. Once melted, slowly fold the chocolate into the ice cream mixture until fully incorporated.
- Churning: Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Freezing: Once churned, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until firm.
- Serving: Scoop out the spicy ice cream into bowls or cones. If desired, garnish with whipped cream, sliced chili peppers, and chocolate shavings for an extra kick and visual appeal.
FAQs
Can fruits be used as a dessert option after a spicy chili meal?
Absolutely! Fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and melons have a natural sweetness and juiciness that can be refreshing and soothing after a spicy meal. They can be served fresh, in a salad, or even as a sorbet.
Are there any beverages that can complement a chili meal and also serve as a dessert?
Yes, beverages like milkshakes, lassi (a yogurt-based drink), or even a cold horchata (a sweet rice drink) can act as both a palate cleanser and a dessert after a spicy chili meal.
How can I incorporate chocolate in a dessert without making it too rich after a heavy chili meal?
Consider using dark chocolate, which is less sweet than milk chocolate. You can create light chocolate mousse or chocolate-dipped fruits to keep the dessert light yet satisfying.
Can spices be incorporated into desserts without making them too overpowering?
Definitely! Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and even a hint of chili can be added to desserts to give them a unique flavor. The key is to use them sparingly to ensure they complement rather than overpower the dessert’s primary flavors.
Are there any global desserts that are traditionally served after spicy meals?
Yes, many cultures have desserts that pair well with spicy foods. For instance, in India, “kulfi” (a dense ice cream) is often served after spicy meals. In Mexico, “tres leches cake” (a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk) can be a delightful treat after a spicy dish.
Final Words
Start a dessert revolution by bringing out a unique taste that people will find new and challenging. No need to say that as human nature, we are attracted to a bit of discovery.
However, don’t forget to be kind to friends who are still getting the hang of the spiciness. Always prepare desserts that can aid them in recovering from the shock of eating spicy food. Then again, give the spicy dessert to guests who are accustomed to the change. To be fair, I’m sure, they’re anticipating the special treat.
