Paprika – January Featured Ingredient

Did you know paprika is the fourth most popular spice in the world? No kitchen is complete without Paprika – January Featured Ingredient. Deep orange-red to bright red in color with a mildly pungent to hot flavor. Paprika should be a spice rack staple in your kitchen. Paprika has only 19 calories per tablespoon and 3.7 carb grams. Paprika comes in 3 different dried types, sweet, hot, and smoked. In addition, all three have their own flavor profile. The type of pepper used makes all the difference.

Paprika – January Featured Ingredient

If you think all paprika tastes the same, think again. First of all, let’s talk Sweet paprika which is most commonly found in kitchens throughout the world. Most often labeled as just paprika is the sweet variety used on deviled eggs, potato salad, meat rubs, and dishes calling for paprika. Sweet paprika gives food a mild peppery flavor without any heat. Also, if a recipe doesn’t specify which kind use paprika. When cooking spicier dishes, sweet paprika can cool down the heat and should not be substituted with smoked or hot.

Paprika – January Featured Ingredient

Second is Hot paprika made of Hungarian peppers. Some think this is the superior paprika and I happen to agree. Hot paprika lends full flavor like in Chicken Paprikash instead of just color. Goulash, a stew made of red meat, potatoes, onion and vegetables is another popular dish using hot paprika. Never made this dish, try it because it’s delicious. Be careful not to substitute hot paprika for sweet paprika, as a result do not interchange well. Use what is called for, especially sweet because it balances well with other spices.

Paprika – January Featured Ingredient

Third is Smoked paprika and one I often use especially in meat rubs and chili. Smoked paprika has a delightful delicious subtle smokiness. You may see Pimenton on packaging for smoked paprika. The peppers used in this paprika are smoked and dried over oak fires. Smoked varieties include mild, medium-hot, and hot. Did you know true Spanish Pimenton comes from Spain per EU laws? Veggies, chili, stews definitely benefit from using smoked paprika. You may substitute sweet for smoked yet remember you will take the smoky flavor away from the prepared dish.

Paprika – January Featured Ingredient

Make sure you purchase the right paprika for all your recipes. Using the right one makes all the difference in taste and paprika lasts 6 months when stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Do not store near a heat source like by your stove.

Enjoy smoked paprika with roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes or try sweet mixed with salt and pepper on steaks. Use hot in your favorite chili recipe. No matter which paprika you use, stock your kitchen with all three. Depending on the recipe you will use one more than the other, yet I guarantee you’ll never be without.

Happy Cooking!