Chillies Ahoy

[Barnowl]

Hi Biscombe,

Nothing to do with chillis but wanted to let you know we found a great restaurant called 'La Concha' in Torrevieja last weekend. It's a street or so back from the seafront promenade and just does Spanish regional cooking. Very genuine and good value for a resort/seaside town.

The stuffed baby squid in their own ink was delicious :)

[Barnowl]

[Garden Manager]

'Chillis Ahoy'

May i ask why chillis in particular? What need do we have for a sub forum for chillis in particular, when everything else is bunched in together? Why not just have seperate Fruit and Veg boards?

OK If we are going down this route, can i ask for a sub forum covering Tomatoes please? Then after that what about one for Runner Beans oe Potatoes? Any chance?

[Biscombe]

Chillies are the 'in thing at the moment!' there are quite a few forums dedicated to just chillies! I think Dan is spot on for adding this sub forum!

[Biscombe]

Hi Biscombe,

Nothing to do with chillis but wanted to let you know we found a great restaurant called 'La Concha' in Torrevieja last weekend. It's a street or so back from the seafront promenade and just does Spanish regional cooking. Very genuine and good value for a resort/seaside town.

The stuffed baby squid in their own ink was delicious :)

Sounds great! how was the holiday? started to get cold here!

[Barnowl]

There for 5 days and it rained every day! The food was the only consolation :)

[Biscombe]

Oh no!! poor babes! more rain for the weekend here!

[Garden Manager]

Chillies are the 'in thing at the moment!' there are quite a few forums dedicated to just chillies! I think Dan is spot on for adding this sub forum!

Hmm Nice though they are I think they are overrated. i grow just one type 'Numex Twilight' and it is sufficient for my needs.

[Barnowl]

Chillies are the 'in thing at the moment!' there are quite a few forums dedicated to just chillies! I think Dan is spot on for adding this sub forum!

Hmm Nice though they are I think they are overrated. i grow just one type 'Numex Twilight' and it is sufficient for my needs.

Broadly speaking I agree there is no need to grow loads of different chillies. I grow them much as someone else might grow Dahlias - because I love the plants. There's no way I could use all the chillies produced and I give many away - even the plants themselves when winter comes.

But I think that, even from a purely pragmatic point of view, you're missing out with just that Numex. They're pretty (and prolific)  but very high in heat and not great on flavour. For example, I have one powder I made just from Italian cayenne and another from Espanola, Mirasol, Apache and Georgia Flame (all medium heat) and you can smell and taste the substantial difference.

[thifasmom]

But I think that, even from a purely pragmatic point of view, you're missing out with just that Numex. They're pretty (and prolific)  but very high in heat and not great on flavour. For example, I have one powder I made just from Italian cayenne and another from Espanola, Mirasol, Apache and Georgia Flame (all medium heat) and you can smell and taste the substantial difference.

how did you make the powders?

[Georgie]

But I think that, even from a purely pragmatic point of view, you're missing out with just that Numex. They're pretty (and prolific)  but very high in heat and not great on flavour. For example, I have one powder I made just from Italian cayenne and another from Espanola, Mirasol, Apache and Georgia Flame (all medium heat) and you can smell and taste the substantial difference.

how did you make the powders?

I'd be interested to know too.  I'm drying my smaller chillies with a view to crushing them for use as I need them.  I've also seen a 'chilli mill' which looks like a pepper mill and I'm thinking about getting one if others can vouch for their usefulness.

G x

[ceres]

I've got a coffee grinder that I use for spices.  It does a great job on dried chillis.  Whizz for a short time to get chilli flakes, longer for powder.

[Barnowl]

I've got a coffee grinder that I use for spices.  It does a great job on dried chillis.  Whizz for a short time to get chilli flakes, longer for powder.

Ditto  :)

PS I always de-stalk and sometimes de-seed first - especially if they are very seedy chillis.

[Georgie]

Am I right in assuming that you have a separate grinder for spices i.e. you wouldn't use the same one for coffee, nuts etc? I'm in a bit of a dilemma now. 

G x

[thifasmom]

I've got a coffee grinder that I use for spices.  It does a great job on dried chillis.  Whizz for a short time to get chilli flakes, longer for powder.

Ditto  :)

PS I always de-stalk and sometimes de-seed first - especially if they are very seedy chillis.

thanks for the info :D.

[Barnowl]

Am I right in assuming that you have a separate grinder for spices i.e. you wouldn't use the same one for coffee, nuts etc? I'm in a bit of a dilemma now. 

G x

Clean between use  :)

[Georgie]

Am I right in assuming that you have a separate grinder for spices i.e. you wouldn't use the same one for coffee, nuts etc? I'm in a bit of a dilemma now. 

G x

Clean between use  :)

Sorry to sound dumb but the with current grinder I have (a Krups one) you cannot wash the bit with the blade/motor, you just wipe the inside around with kitchen towel.  This is fine as I only use it for coffee beans, breadcrumbs and nuts.  But surely chilli would leave behind the taste?

G x

[thifasmom]

Am I right in assuming that you have a separate grinder for spices i.e. you wouldn't use the same one for coffee, nuts etc? I'm in a bit of a dilemma now. 

G x

Clean between use  :)

Sorry to sound dumb but the with current grinder I have (a Krups one) you cannot wash the bit with the blade/motor, you just wipe the inside around with kitchen towel.  This is fine as I only use it for coffee beans, breadcrumbs and nuts.  But surely chilli would leave behind the taste?

G x

now don't get cross ;), i know the mexicans and some south Americans add chilli to their hot cocoa, i tried it and blow it does taste very good, maybe the flavour of the chillie might also enhance your coffee :-\

[ceres]

The inside of my grinder is some kind of brushed metal that doesn't hold any taint.


Chilli and chocolate - a match made in heaven!

[Barnowl]

Similar grinder - brushed metal interior - just wipe with damp kitchen towel. I haven't ever noticed any cross contamination.

[Georgie]

Thanks everyone.  You've just saved me £15.   ;D

G x