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