FOOD 101: Chile Or Chili or Chilli or…Pepper?

[1] Assorted chiles that are popular in U.S. kitchens (photo courtesy Melissa’s). [2] Cayenne chiles (photo courtesy Good Eggs).   Wild chiles have been a part of the diet in the Americas since about 7500 B.C.E. While the first chile may have been domesticated in Bolivia, the oldest known traces of have been found in…
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TIP: Spice Up Your Diet With Chiles

Top: Blistered chiles, particularly padróns and shishitos, have become a hot side dish (no pun intended). Here’s the recipe. Photo courtesy Good Eggs | San Francisco. Bottom: Start your chile adventure with a good book, like this one from Melissa’s.   Here’s a healthy food tip for the new year: Check out the health benefits…
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FOOD FUN: Why Ask Why? Food Trivia

Top: Crackers have pin holes so the air escapes and they don’t rise. Photo courtesy PantryPacker.com. Bottom: A checmical in mint tricks the brain info feeling coolness. Photo by Jeffrey Collingwood | SXC.   Here are some fun food facts adapted from TodayIFoundOut.com Why Chiles Taste Hot The heat in chiles comes from a colorless,…
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RECIPE: Grilled Salsa Salad

Like salsa? Make a “salsa salad.” Photo courtesy Melissas.com.   Sweet and savory, this delicious salad is perfect for grilling season. It is from Melissa’s wonderful new The Great Pepper Cookbook, The Ultimate Guide To Choosing And Cooking With Peppers. Prep time is 15 minutes, total time 35 minutes. RECIPE: GRILLED SALSA SALAD Ingredients For…
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