Returning to Nepal a journalist sampled hot pepper (8)
I believe the answer is:
jalapeno
'hot pepper' is the definition.
(I know that jalapeno is a type of hot pepper)
'returning to nepal a journalist sampled' is the wordplay.
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'sampled' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'onepalaj' is hidden in the letters of 'to nepal a journalist'.
'onepalaj' reversed gives 'JALAPENO'.
(Other definitions for jalapeno that I've seen before include "Variety of chilli" , "Very hot chilli pepper" , "Green chilli pepper used in Mexican cooking" , "something really hot" , "Hot green chilli" .)