Slice the fresh chili peppers thinly. Place into a mortar and pestle along with 2 teaspoons salt. Grind and mix thoroughly with the pestle. You don’t need to form a paste, just break down the peppers slightly.

So, can you substitute cayenne for paprika (or vice versa)? While you’ll at least end up with a similarly colored dish, the flavor won’t be the same. In a pinch, you could throw in a dash of hot paprika in place of cayenne powder. However, we wouldn’t suggest substituting these spices the other way around—you could wind up with a way-too-spicy sauce!

My Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce lasts about 4 weeks when refrigerated. Make sure to store it in a clean and dry glass jar. If not stored correctly, the sauce might go bad really fast.

If you wonder whether you can substitute one for the other, the answer is yes. You would use a lot less red chili powder, even if it is of the milder variety, than you would paprika. In fact, the best way to go about this is add it slowly and in small amounts, till you get the heat factor that you want. In a pinch, you can use paprika instead of red chili powder as well, though you may not get the color that you want and the flavor may be different.

Flavor Profiles

Dried chilli padi, also known as bird's eye chilli, is a popular ingredient used in many Asian cuisines. These tiny but mighty peppers pack a powerful punch of heat and flavor, making them a staple in dishes ranging from curries to stir-fries.

Paprika made from bell peppers is a versatile spice that can be used to season meats, stews, soups, vegetables, and rice dishes. It is also a key ingredient in spice blends, marinades, and rubs, adding depth and flavor to a variety of recipes.

Paprika can be used as a substitute for bell pepper in some recipes, but it will not provide the same flavor. Paprika has a more intense flavor than bell pepper, so it may overpower the other ingredients in the recipe.

Chili sauces can also vary greatly depending on the region. In Asia, chili sauce is often a thicker, sweeter, and less vinegary sauce, with a strong emphasis on the chili's flavor. Meanwhile, in the US, chili sauce is commonly a thicker, ketchup-like sauce with a mild heat level, often used in recipes like chili dogs or meatloaf.

Paprika is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to any diet. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.