India: Fired up on Chillies!

Recently India entered the Guinness Book of Records with the World's hottest chilli, Bhut Jolokia! Apparently Bhut Jolokia means Ghost Chilli because the person who eats the chilli gives up his ghost!

Not sure why, but I feel inordinately proud! I guess it stems from watching people eat Jalapenos (apprently only 10,000 on the Scoville heat units compared to the Bhut which is 1 million plus!!) and Bird's eye yellow chillies and exclaim that it was the hottest thing in the world and nothing can top that. I would eat the same thing, and say, "there must be something hotter in India". And now I am right. And India has shown the world!











(photo taken from here)

Woohoo!

Thai Green Curry

Made a simple enough Thai green curry for dinner. Was craving Thai food but knew we wouldn't be going out because of the India-South Africa match. So this was the next best option. Well, it turned out better than going out! (except for India's dismal performance)

I used the Taste of Thai Green Curry paste, and it was all ready in a jiffy. Just add a tbsp of oil to a saucepan and saute the paste a bit. Next add any (parboiled) veggies you like - I added babycorn, red peppers, potatoes and onions. Brown the veggies a bit in the paste and oil. The whole kitchen will smell of garlic! Mmmmm.... Next add 2 cups of coconut milk (the Lite version is fine too) and let it simmer until the veggies are completely cooked - about 10 minutes.


Garnish with basil leaves torn into the curry. (I remember to never cut basil leaves but tear them instead to get the full taste of basil - I think it was Rachael Ray who said that. Something about how her grandfather considered basil holy and that you shouldn't cut it blah blah)

And serve with noodles or rice. Delicious.