Fresh chillies, chilli powder or crushed dried chillies?

[DiddlyQuaQua]

Which are better to consistently add extra zing to cooking?
I like the taste of fresh chillies but am often left disappointed if the final dish is not as hot as I expected. I tend to use crushed dried chillies because I know they will be consistently hot, plus they keep a long time too.
Which do you recommend?

[funnygirl]

I've used all three and i think the one that provides the hottest heat to a dish is the chilli powder.

[Clanad]

You've already hit on the answer... the crushed, dried chillies are best for consistent hotness. When they are harvested and dried they retain the capzasin in their seeds and skins. For alittle more heat, add more seeds and vice versa for less heat...
We cook a lot of Mexican dishes here in the U.S. and always have a ready supply of dried Anaheim, Serrano or Chile De Arbols close at hand...

[gingejbee]

In many dishes I tend to use some of each - gives it more depth of flavour. And you can always add some hot chilli sauce (Chinese supermarket) at the end if still not satisfied!

[lunaraine]

OOOOoo I do love chilli. Have a look a Seasoned Pioneers, they have a good selection of dried and crushed chillies. There are also a lot of liquids out there too which are worth a look at. I am very much into Chipotle at the moment, lovely deep smokey taste.

I would gladly add chilli to everything, but my husband is not so keen. I tend to use fresh for a..er....fresher taste. But the ones readily available really do not have much kick to them and there is not an ethnic food shop for miles and miles.

Look up Hot Headz sauces too, well worth a go if you really are keen.

[lunaraine]

Oh, and seek out hot smoked paprika, it adds amazing depth to spicy dishes. Also sweet smoked paprika. I use them both along with various chillies for 'chilli'.

[mandimoo]

I find chili sauce gives me the control over heat that i need. i prefer tabasco.

[tinkerbell23]

Some of each for me xx

[DTCwordfan]

Seriously select your chillis carefully and up the power on the choice of the actual chilli - problem solved - read on - just a question of sourcing then

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale

[DTCwordfan]

There is a store in Houston, "Central Market", ( a brand) with all these chillis - pretty impressive.

this is one of CM's smaller displays....Houston was/is literally double

http://www.google.co....21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

[heathfield]

While I tend to go for fresh or frozen habaneros, for convenience I sometimes use Rajah Extra Hot Chilli Powder - lasts for years and is handy when making fine adjustments. If I'm using the powder, to add a fresh chilli pepper flavour to whatever I'm making, I add some chopped sweet pepper.