FOOD NEWS
The Tip For Cooking With Ghost Peppers Every Beginner Must Know
BY TOM MAXWELL
Ghost peppers are insanely spicy chilis that hover at around 1 million heat units on the Scoville scale. To put into perspective, jalapeños are between 2,500 and 8,000 heat units.
When cooking with ghost peppers, one of the first things you should know is that temperature and time affects their spiciness. Cooking them low and slow will yield a hotter dish.
You should also wear a mask, gloves, long sleeves, and cooking goggles when handling these peppers. Seed them before use, because most of the overwhelming heat is in the seeds.
When you're starting out with ghost peppers, stick to recipes with fewer moving parts. Try a simple condiment like chili oil to familiarize yourself with the peppers' heat.
From there, experiment with sauces and salsas. Avoid recipes for involved main courses or ones that call for long cooking times, which can make the peppers unbearably hot.