Chili oil is used in the pan as a cooking base for meats and vegetables. Chili oil is often placed on tables as a dipping sauce in Chinese restaurants. Dipping spring rolls or dumplings in chili oil mixed with soy sauce gives a sweet and spicy taste to an appetizer. Brush chili oil over chicken, pork, or shrimp and let it sit for half an hour in the refrigerator. Cooking the meat on the grill will add a smokey flavor as the chili flakes roast over the open flames. The versatility of chili oil makes it the perfect complement to so many unexpected dishes. Adding peanuts or Sichuan peppercorns, or a variety of herbs and spices, in the preparation of chili oil can add new dimensions to its flavor. It makes a perfect topping for scrambled eggs, injects a little heat to a cool cucumber salad, or simply drizzled over a baked sweet potato or warm baguette.