Homemade Chili Oil (Original video)

Ingredients:

• Green onions
• Ginger
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Whole spices (cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cloves)
• Chinese red chili flakes
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Salt
• White pepper
• MSG (optional)
• Avocado oil (or peanut oil)
• Chinese black vinegar
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare the aromatics by slicing green onions, ginger, shallots, and garlic.
2. Toast whole spices in a pan until fragrant, then set aside.
3. Grind Chinese red chili flakes in a spice grinder.
4. Combine chili flakes, toasted sesame seeds, salt, white pepper, MSG, and toasted spices in a large mason jar.
5. Heat avocado oil in a pot to 325°F and fry shallots until golden brown. Strain and add to the jar.
6. Reheat the oil to 300°F and fry garlic until lightly golden. Strain and add to the jar.
7. Add Chinese black vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger to the oil. Fry ginger until lightly golden, then add to the jar.
8. Stir the contents of the jar well and let cool to infuse flavors.
9. Mince garlic and combine with regular chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
10. Heat avocado oil to 350°F and pour over the garlic mixture.
11. Customize with additional ingredients like sesame oil, soy sauce, or vinegar to taste.