Six Spicy and Sizzling Spring Recipes

You know the saying, ‘Variety is the spice of life’. Take a look at this curated list of six different spicy spring recipes, perfect for adding a touch of heat to your afternoon or evening meal.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

(Credit: Margaret Rolfe at Allrecipes)

Try this simple, easy and tasty pasta dish with a seafood twist.

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) package linguini pasta
• 1 pound cooked and peeled shrimp
• 8 cloves crushed garlic
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes with garlic
• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 fluid ounces red wine (optional)

Directions

1. Peel and cook shrimp if necessary, and place in a bowl of cold water.
2. Place tomatoes, crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, and wine in a 3 quart sauce pan. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. While sauce is simmering, cook linguini according to package directions. When pasta is almost done, drain shrimp and place in the bottom of a large colander. Drain the pasta over the shrimp. Transfer pasta with shrimp to a large serving bowl, and toss together with some sauce. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

(Credit: Chef John at Allrecipes)

Check out this spicy and sweet dish to discover where all the hullabaloo about Thai food comes from.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or as needed
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced shallots
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced Thai chilies, Serrano, or other hot pepper
• 1 cup very thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
• 2 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

1. Whisk chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar together in a bowl until well blended.
2. Heat large skillet over high heat. Drizzle in oil. Add chicken and stir fry until it loses its raw color, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in shallots, garlic, and sliced chilies. Continue cooking on high heat until some of the juices start to caramelize in the bottom of the pan, about 2 or 3 more minutes. Add about a tablespoon of the sauce mixture to the skillet; cook and stir until sauce begins to caramelize, about 1 minute.
3. Pour in the rest of the sauce. Cook and stir until sauce has deglazed the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook until sauce glazes onto the meat, 1 or 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in basil. Cook and stir until basil is wilted, about 20 seconds. Serve with rice.

Spicy Vegan Potato Curry

(Credit: MeganLee at Allrecipes)

This favorite dish has a vegan twist – you’ll love the spicy flavors here.

Ingredients

• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 4 teaspoons curry powder
• 4 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can peas, drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk

Directions

1. Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.
2. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, curry powder, garam masala, ginger, and salt; cook for 2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, peas, and potatoes. Pour in the coconut milk, and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce

(Credit:  Star Pooley at Allrecipes)

Here’s a refreshing change from your regular, old tomato sauce. The added sauce flavors add a kick to a normally routine recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vodka
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. In large skillet, heat oil over moderate heat. Remove casing from sausage and add to skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until brown. Add garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring until garlic is golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Add vodka and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and add pasta, toss for 1 minute. Stir in fresh parsley and serve!

Grilled Spicy Lamb Burgers

(Credit: Alan Hollister at Allrecipes)

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground lamb
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sherry
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 pita bread rounds
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Dessert

Chef John’s Chili Chocolate Cookies

(Credit: Chef John at Allrecipes)

This surprising combination of spicy and sweet may put your taste buds in uncharted territory.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried currants
• 2 tablespoons flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua)
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
3. Heat currants and coffee liqueur in a saucepan over low heat until it begins to simmer, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Combine unsweetened chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and butter in bowl. Place bowl on top of a saucepan filled with 1-inch of water set over low heat. Stir chocolate mixture occasionally until melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Mix flour, black pepper, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in large bowl and set aside.
6. Whisk sugar and eggs in a small bowl until light, fluffy, and pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in vanilla and melted chocolate mixture.
7. Fold flour mixture into sugar and chocolate mixture until combined.
8. Stir in dark chocolate chips and liqueur-soaked currants.
9. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.
10. Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are almost set, about 12 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven and leave on baking sheets to cool, 5 minutes.
12. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to finish cooling, 5 minutes.

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Have any other favorite spicy spring recipes? Let us know in the comments below!