Small Batch Easy Chili Oil

First, heat up 1⁄2 cup of neutral oil in a saucepan. When researching for this recipe, I saw that a lot of recipes say to heat the oil to 275F–I don’t own a thermometer so I heated mine up over low heat for 7 minutes. I also stuck a wooden spoon in to see if the oil bubbled (that’s when you’ll know it’s hot enough!). While the oil is heating up, finely dice 1 small shallot and 2 cloves of garlic. Add these to a tempered glass (a glass soaked in hot water first so it doesn’t shatter when you pour in the hot oil, you could alternatively use a stainless steel bowl) along with 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 2 tsp of chili flakes, 1⁄2 tsp of ground cardamom, 1⁄2 tsp of ground cloves, 1 tsp of korean red pepper flakes, and 1 tsp of salt. Slowly pour the hot oil over the spices. Carefully stir (the glass will be hot!) and let this sit for 10 minutes before pulling out the cinnamon stick and star anise. Stir in 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of soy sauce, and 1⁄2 tsp of sesame seeds. Pour over Bao Buns and enjoy!