Homemade Chilli Flakes

Such an easy, useful preserve.

Chop the tops off and slice the chilli's in half.

• If using a dehydrator, turn it on low.
• If using an oven, turn it onto your lowest/ non fan setting. You may need to prop the door open to ease the heat a bit. Slower and lower is better by far - its easy to burn them, so keep your eye out.

Dry them until they snap cleanly in half.

Chop them roughly before putting them into the food processor. Pulse them until they're flakey. (You could keep going if you like and make powder.) And word to the wise, let the dust settle before opening the lid!

Electricity + appliance free, dried chillis

Simply string them up. Thread a needle and poke it through the meaty bit by the stalk. Hang them somewhere dry and airy, away from sunlight.