Chinese peppers
 

So, I got some chinese food this evening and thought it needed a little more spice, but the only thing I have in my fridge is plain ol' Tabasco sauce. Does anyone know what those peppers are in chinese food and where I can get some? They're usually in General Tso's chicken. Long, slender, dark red... usually pretty shiny. You know the ones....

Here are some different peppers with pictures:

http://www.foodsubs.com/Chiledry.html

I believe you are looking for the "arbol chile." Dried ones are generally used in Chinese cooking.

My local supermarket has them, but yours may not. I'd search for an asian market.

EDIT: They're sold at http://www.sweetfreedomfarm.com/chileprods.html, among other websites.

Really? Some how I find it hard to believe that Chinese would use chiles grown in Mexico. Do you know for sure this is what they use?

dry Thai chilies. go to any Asian market. they have a wide variety of spicy treats.

I agree with Joe. Thai chiles are hot, and lots of places use them dry to make their chile oil whatever that sits on the table that noone uses cause it looks like a festering shit hole with chile flakes in it.

Hot stuff.

SOUNDS DELICIOUS! :lol:

I've seen it in Chinese recipes published in English. But you're right that it's not totally authentic.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/product/product_76.php is the kind of pepper that would be authentic, albeit harder to find.

No way dude, that festering shithole sauce is awesome, noone uses it cause it looks like a portal into hell, but it is so hot sometimes, YIPES!

Try it and get back to me!

not that hard to find--go to any asian market.

I say grow your own but that is just me. I am growing my own tabasco peppers so I can make my own pepper sauce.

Any asian store woould have them. Tobasco is not a very good hot sauce with oriental food.

http://www.penzeys.com/

Go to Penzeys, they may have a store nearby or just order online. Tons of good spices and peppers, it's where I get everything I use.

Also, the Chinese peppers you're looking for may be Tien Tsin peppers. They look similar to Arbol, are hotter, and Chinese.