10. CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES
Paprika originates from central Mexico, but it was brought to Europe in the 16th century by Christopher Columbus. Sometime after, paprika made its way to Hungary, and has been a staple food there ever since. Paprika is the Hungarian word for pepper. It’s the country’s national spice, and they spoon it on to pretty much any dish you can think of – from soups, stews and sauces to rice and eggs. It plays the starring role in Hungary’s most celebrated dish – goulash (a warming winter stew made from red meat, onions, potatoes and vegetables, served over egg noodles).
The process of creating crushed red pepper begins with sorting and cleaning the peppers to remove any impurities. The peppers are then dried using a variety of methods, including sun drying or mechanical drying, to reduce their moisture content. Once dried, the peppers are ground into flakes or powder using specialized equipment in the factory.

Now, to use cajun spice as a substitute for paprika, add it gradually to your recipe. Make a taste test before adding more. I usually start with one-eight of a teaspoon for every teaspoon of paprika the recipe calls for.