THE
SPICE OF LIFE
Red Hot & Sexy!
Chillies
are reputed to aid digestion, cure asthma even, and are rich in Vitamin
C. What's more, their alleged aphrodisiac properties just burn up the
calories!
Hardly surprising then that the chilli is the hot pod of the Nineties.
The chilli pepper comes from
a pod like berry of various species of capsicum found in Latin America.
Discovered by Columbus accidentally - he was actually looking for piper
(peppercorns) - it has become an essential storecupboard ingredient.
To the chilli connoisseur each
type has its own distinctive flavour and a particular variety of chilli
may be used to lend a specific dish its unique taste.
However, as a nation we Brits
are fairly reluctant to experirnent with the chilli. In Mexico it is
eaten daily and added to virtually everything; but then, the Mexicans
do have more than 2,000 varieties to choose from. The most familiar
of these are jalapenos, seranos, and habaneras - the hottest of them
all. Don't be fooled by the little ones: the smaller the chilli the
more pungent it is likely to be, regardless of colour.
When buying chillies look for
smooth shiny skins and avoid anything wizened or with patches of brown.
Always wear gloves when handling chillies, and avoid touching the eyes.
Wash hands immediately after contact as they can cause skin irritation.
Finally, never be tempted to
cheat: always use fresh chillies to achieve an authentic, full flavour.
Mexican
cuisine
The best known cuisine of Latin
American countries is Mexican, a blend of many different cultures.
Simple to prepare, extremely healthy and a sensuous treat, the characteristic
ingredients are rich in protein and fibre.
With its bright colours and spicy flavours, Mexican food is ideal for entertaining.
Vegetarian dishes figure prominently in mexico due to the abundance of fresh
fruit, corn, rice, beans and of course the versatile chilli pepper.
Add some zest to your life and cooking repertoire with these easy-to-make Mexican
recipes. |
