Food & Fitness: Chili Oil

Chili Oil is used as a condiment in many asian cuisines. It's a quick and easy way to spice up any dish specific to your taste. Plus the capsicum in chili oil is known to be an anti-inflammatory agent that helps stimulate blood circulation which can be helpful in preventing heart disease and cancer. Some also believe it helps improve metabolism and even helps trim body weight.

Ingredients:

• 10-12 dried red chilies (Thai red chilies are the spiciest)
• 1/2 cup peanut or canola oil

Directions:

1. Roast the dried red chilies for 10-15 minutes in a 125 degree oven, until they become a little plump.
2. Place the roasted red chilies in a food processor and grind the chilies until they create a fine chili powder.
3. Heat the oil up in a frying pan under low heat. If the oil is too hot, it will burn the chilies. The oil is ready when it starts to glisten.
4. Fry the chili powder in the oil for about 2 to 3 minutes.

The chili oil can be stored in an air tight container for up to one month.