Every hot sauce delivers some amount of heat, but some have significantly more than others. Know your limits and choose your hot sauce accordingly. From mild and medium hot sauces that provide a barely noticeable hint of warmth to flaming-hot hot sauces that will have you begging for a cold glass of milk, there are plenty of options out there. Always review the label or website description before dousing any sauce on your food to avoid the tragic situation of ruining a perfectly tasty meal with something your taste buds just can’t muster. 

Even though it's easily available in stores and online, I prefer to make my Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce at home. I know that sounds like one extra thing to do - but hear me out. Making this Asian sauce at home is insanely easy. It requires minimal prep, most of the ingredients are pantry staples, and the cooking process is mostly hands free.

Q: Can I substitute crushed red pepper for paprika or vice versa? A: While both spices have distinct flavors, you can substitute one for the other if you're looking to adjust heat levels.

Smoked paprika, often called pimenton, or smoked Spanish paprika is made from peppers that are smoked, dried over oak fires and then crushed into a fine, bright red powder. Bringing a deeper, richer, cooler flavour to the table. When it comes to heat, smoked paprika can be mild (pimentón dulce), medium (pimentón agridulce), or hot (pimentón picante).
Did you know? The vibrant red colour of paprika is because it contains high levels of carotene, the same pigment found most notably in, believe it or not, carrots.