Ingredients to neutralize spiciness in food

Cooking is an art which requires patience, time and diligence to come up with the best output. However, no matter how much efforts you’ve put together in a meal if its ingredients go haywire then everything goes for a toss! One such blip could be with the spiciness which can turn all your hard work into vain. 

But wait, you don’t need to stress over this anymore. Here are some ways you can fix that extra level of spice in your food. 

1) Curd or milk 

Just add some curd or milk to the dish. This will reduce the spiciness and also add a nice texture to the entire dish. Just remember to do this on a low flame to avoid curdling. 

2) Sweetness 

It is another ‘knight in the shining armour’ when it comes to controlling the extra spiciness in a dish. You can either do it with sugar or a sweetener.  Just be careful with the quantity, as I’m sure you won’t like your savoury dish to turn into a dessert!

3) Nut paste

This is an easy method to quickly fix your spicy dish. All you need to do is to add a few crushed nuts or some nut paste/nut butter. Best part? Besides altering the desired taste, it will also turn the dish rich and crunchy. 

4) Water 

This is the easiest and basic route to mellow down the spiciness – using water and/or juice/any mild condiment. Just dilute the dish with water. Here, you can also consider adding more vegetables/beans which help in balancing. 

5) Vinegar

If you wish to mend cuisines like Oriental or pan Asian, then this hack is surely for you. Adding a small amount of white vinegar or citrus vinegar will make everything fall into place.  

6) Lemon juice

The fuss-free way is to add a dash of citrus touch. All you need to do is to squeeze a few drops of lemon which will do its job most appropriately. The tanginess present in lemon juice cuts down on the extra spice. 

7) Egg yolk

If you are a non-vegetarian, then go by this method blindly. As this will not work as a good companion but also thicken the curry while making it rich too. You can add egg yolks. However, you have to remember that these are boiled egg yolks I’m talking about here. 

8) Heavy cream

This helps to tone down the spice in the most effective way. Also, you’re going to like the creamy texture that adds a more graceful look to your existing dish. 

9) Boiled potato

Considering all the options, this is again one of the easiest one to source from everyday ingredients available in the kitchen. Just put boiled potatoes in the curry, it will absorb all the extra spiciness. 

10) Coconut milk

If coconut’s taste is something that doesn’t feel odd to your palate, then go ahead and add some coconut milk to make your dish mild. You can just add a spoonful or two based on the quantity and exact requirement. 

11) Small dough balls

With all the ways for your rescue, this one can do wonders too! What you need to do? Make small dough balls of flour and place it in the curry. Again, it depends on the quantity and your requirement. However, 3-4 medium ball sized balls should be good. 

12) Chopped pineapple

While you liked your favourite fruit in its raw, dessert form, etc, it can also sort the spice levels in your curries.  

13) Tomato juice/sauce

I know you like to pep the taste of your favourite snacks with this magical ingredient. However, try its magical powers here too. You’ll be surprised. 

14) Broth

Thinning a curry is another way out to get the needful refinement. So, add a tablespoon of broth or any other mild liquid that you have access to. It will work by spreading out the heat more and therefore will diffuse it.

15) Extra cooking oil/ghee/butter

To fix issues of spice levels, you have to use a neutral tasting oil or olive oil that will complement the flavours in the dish. Add a spoonful of it and mix thoroughly. See the change in the curry and add more oil if needed. 

16) Peanut Butter

Your favourite peanut butter can be of great help here with its presence in the dish, it makes sure to put everything into place.

I’m sure these hacks will bring you ‘tears of joy’ and not ‘tears out of burning sensation.’ Before I sign off, let me share some spicy and fun facts about chillies for you.

• While you must be figuring about fixing that extra punch of spice in your dish, did you know that there are over 400 different types of chillies! 

• The first chilli was called as ‘the soup of the devil.’

• Chillies act as a natural painkiller ensuring the body’s sense of well-being.

• The white pith surrounding the seeds in a chilli, is the hottest part. 

• There are various health benefits of eating chillies that includes: building immunity, clearing congestion, improving heart conditions, lowering blood pressure, etc.