Re: [CH] Toned down ethnic dishes
GarryMass@aol.com
Wed, 17 Nov 1999 09:29:45 EST
In a message dated 11/99 3:54:49 PM Eastern Standard Time,
mstevens@exit109.com writes:
Dumbing down the spiciness
<< The only place I found satisfying heat was a Thai Shrimp Salad with Crispy
Rice Noodles & Lemongrass Dressing at a contemporary American restaurant
called Bayona on the fringe of the French Quarter >>
First, let it be said that I'm hideously envious of Mark's tour itinerary.
Second, I fear that it is less the timidity of the ethnics and the
pseudoethnics which keeps them from adding appropriate amounts of spice for
fear of driving away the "heat challenged" and more the fear of lawsuits in
an increasingly litigious society.
But, whatever the cause, I have found that it is only the Thai restaurants in
Greater Springfield and Northampton, Mass that come close to serving food
that has "satisfying heat."
Old and small pharmacy containers (no, not Viagra containers) have become my
favorite disposable sauce and/or powder porters. Jim's Righteous is my
favorite sauce to furtively splash on heat challenged dishes wherever I go.
One of my large supply of 2X3 inch plastic zip lock baggies fits neatly into
my wallet to assure Chipotle/Habanero powder is with me everywhere.
Each time that I find "bland" I resort to my emergency fix up. However, like
Mark who gets stuck with pouring a river of Tabasco on the meek foods, I
can't help but wonder how much better the spice enhancement might have tasted
had it been cooked into the food instead of added at the table.
Recently, there has been more than one mention of having a sauce/powder
supply that was looking for chicken soup as a medium for quick and easy taste
testing. I've lost track of the number of times that I've stooped to using
canned soup just to taste my Chiles. Prepared tortellini mixes (frozen) are
another regular delivery system for Jalapeno heat. But, for anyone
interested, a new recipe for split green pea soup is the current vehicle for
delivering the burn. Copies of the recipe on demand.
Finally, (you mean he's actually going to stop?) I owe someone some Habanero
seeds but lost the address. Remind me and I'll send.
Gareth the ChileKnight