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January 25th 2011 02:39
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Vyoos news
We found the following method for roasting red chilli peppers: preheat oven to 450F or 230C (this, appropriately, is about as hot as most ovens go); spread the peppers evenly on a cooking sheet; roast the peppers for about 4-5 minutes until the skins blister; watch carefully so they do not burn.
Someone in Espoo, Finland, did this yesterday but forgot the last step. In fact, they forgot about their roasting chillies and went out.
Nasty things happen when chillies are left roasting. In this case, four people in the next-door apartment found that they were having trouble breathing. Someone managed to ring for help and pretty soon they were all in hospital being treated for respiratory problems.
Meanwhile firefighters had to try to get into the apartment where the chillies were still blistering away. The firefighters put on industrial-strength gas masks, but even so the first man in had a coughing fit and had trouble breathing.
One firemen said there was no smoke, but the air smelled like "pepper spray".
The four neighbours taken to hospital recovered.
Do not try this at home, and remember never to underestimate the final step of a recipe.
news.com.au
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Comment by Andy Tope
Bagman's Gazette
Comment by Chris Champion
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Many years ago, my wife was cutting fresh chillies when her finger started hurting. She'd had a small cut on that finger, and chilli had gotten into it. The pain escalated, and became excruciating. My wife was a nurse and no wimp - I'd never seen her in so much pain.
I got ice cubes from the freezer, dumped some into a bowl, and plunged her hand into it. That worked, but after a while we ran out of ice cubes. The pain came back.
My wife decided we needed to get a pharmacy and buy some of the freeze-spray stuff they use on soccer players every time they fall over.
But it was evening and no suburban pharmacies were open. We'd have to drive into the city - about 15 minutes. My wife held her hand out the window to get some breeze onto it but it was little help. She was crying.
We did get to a pharmacy, and they did have that spray stuff, and it worked. But it was a nightmare night and I've had the very greatest respect for chillies ever since. I am surprised they have been overlooked so far by horror film makers.
Comment by Andy Tope
Bagman's Gazette
Thanks for sharing that story. You've inspired me to tell my chilli tale now - although less serious and slightly more embarrassing.
When I was a second year apprentice chef (I don't do it professionally anymore) I cut a whopping box of chilles, with hundreds inside. This of course took several hours.
Despite repeated warnings of "don't rub your eyes", some time passed, and well....I forgot the wise advice. Reactionally, I rubbed my eyes, and couldn't see for about an hour afterwards.
Fellow chefs then took advantage of the apprentice by making me stand in the freezer for 30 minutes, "as this would cure it". I believed them (I was very young), before I was taken out again, shivering, and told it might be better to wash my eyes - which helped things substantially more.
I have since had more respect for the chilli.
The Indians seem to know what to do with them, which you can see here.
Comment by Chris Champion
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Where's my 23cm filleting knife?
Comment by Andy Tope
Bagman's Gazette