[cakerookie]

Hi Chef Bayless, I am glad you are here at Cheftalk, its an honor to be able to ask questions of you here. Thanks for being here. My question is this.

"I am a hot fanatic when it comes to Mexican cusine. What flavors as far as heat goes do you prefer in your dishes? And what flavors meld well with Mexican cusine in terms of heat?

Thank You.

[Rick Bayless]

I don’t focus a lot on the heat. I think I concentrate on flavor more. Heat tends to scare people and I want everyone to try everything! I do serve a blazing hot habenero salsa that is just wonderful. I try to stay away from mild green peppers, etc, and focus on poblanos, and serranos. Sometimes I feel that jalapenos have been breed to boredom and have lost their heat.

[MarkV]

Originally Posted by Rick Bayless

Sometimes I feel that jalapenos have been breed to boredom and have lost their heat.

You are so right Chef. It irks me to no end when I buy jalapenos in the supermarket and they're not hot. Jalapenos are supposed to be hot! That's why people buy them. If they want mild peppers there are the bell varieties.

Getting stuck with genetically engineered, mild jalapenos has happened to me so many times that I don't even buy them any more.

Mark

[cakerookie]

Chef Bayless I am impressed with your take on jalapenos. I have found that they do not have the kick they use to especially since I can eat them like candy most times.