Originally from South America, the cayenne plant is now used worldwide as a food and spice. Cayenne is very closely related to bell peppers, jalapeņos, paprika, and other similar peppers. The fruit is used medicinally as it is thought to have antiseptic and pain relieving properties
Cayenne has an affinity with sea food so it's great in paella. Also good with cheese, eggs, sauces and quiches.
You can use cayenne pepper both in cooking as a warm spice, and medicinally. for example try this remedy for soar throats:
Stir 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper in half a cup of lukewarm water. Gargle small amounts at a time for as long as possible without swallowing any.
Just Cayenne pepper (capsicum annuum, capsicum frutescens) and nothing else.
Customer reviews - Cayenne 1kg
Reviews
Cajun Spice Mix - Wed 5th Oct 2011
Mix your own hot and spicy Cajun seasoning using 1 tsp each of ground paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme and garlic powder together with 1/4 tsp cayenne (or to taste) and some ground black pepper and sea salt. You may like to make a batch of it and store in an airtight jar. Try using it to coat chicken, fish, tofu and veggies before grilling, roasting or frying. Ideal for summer bbqs!
Reviewer's Name: Ella
Spicy Peanut Slaw - Thu 6th Oct 2011
First make a dressing. Fry 1 finely sliced shallot and 1 crushed garlic clove in 1 tbsp groundnut oil until soft. Stir in 50 g crunchy peanut butter, the juice of a lime, 1 tsp caster sugar, 1 tbsp soya sauce and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more, to taste). Add around 6 tbsp water and heat until the sauce has combined. Blend until smooth and leave to cool. Meanwhile make a salad of chopped/grated/sliced red cabbage, red and green peppers, carrots, celery, spring onions and bean sprouts. Add some finely chopped red chilli, bean sprouts and a few fresh mint leaves. Toss the salad with the dressing and serve garnished with peanuts.
Reviewer's Name: Lou
Spicy Wedges - Fri 10th Feb 2012
Cut up 750 g baking potatoes - each into 6 wedges. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/gas 6. In a bowl toss the potato wedges with 1 tsp paprika, up to 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste), 1 tbsp olive oil and the juice of 1/2 lemon. Tip into a roasting tin, season with salt and pepper and bake for 20 mins, then shake and cook for another 20 mins til golden and crispy.
Reviewer's Name: Jo
Spiced Kale & Potato Soup - Tue 23rd Oct 2012
Just cook kale and potatoes in veg stock, then puree and season with ground cumin and cayenne pepper.
Reviewer's Name: Cary
Aubergine in Yoghurt Sauce - Mon 4th Mar 2013
Toss cubed roasted aubergine with natural yoghurt, chopped mint leaves, crushed garlic and a touch of cayenne pepper.
Reviewer's Name: Cathy
Tips
Try... - Wed 20th Jun 2012
Try using in a prawn cocktail. Pouring some half fat creme fraiche into a bowl and stir in a little ground cumin, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add peeled prawns and mix thoroughly. Serve on a bed of washed and shredded hearts of Romaine lettuce with a lemon wedge to squeeze over.
Reviewer's Name: Julie