India's Secret Weapon

 

Some like it hot.  And some like it scalding hot.

According to Wired magazine, India is investigating the use of the ferocious bhut jolokia chili pepper as a replacement for tear gas in its weaponry.   On the chili heat index, the bhut jolokia is over a million times hotter than its cousin - the unassuming Bell pepper and over 100 times hotter than a Jalapeno. Phewee.

Turning away from the subject of War, we return to our preferred topic, of Love.  And Jalapenos.  Thanks to our neighborhood friend, Farah, for confiding to us her secret weapon: Jalapeno Pakoras.   Farah recollects how in Singapore she bewitched her fiance, now husband, by customizing this recipe and marrying the flavors of East and West...Of course, we know that her boundless beauty, limitless charm, and mad sex appeal contributed to his ardor, but the pakoras are pretty great, too.  (Farah, who is a former Miss Singapore, is the one on the right...)

Jalapeno Pakoras (or A Mexican Starter with an Indian Twist)

1 dozen jalapenos, poblanos or any peppers good for stuffing


Filling:
8 oz Paneer  or Feta, Cheddar, or any mild cheese
1 tbs mild chili powder or paprika
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
Salt to taste

Batter:
1cup all-purpose flour   
1 tsp cumin powder 
2 tbs garlic powder 
2 tbs paprika
2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground black pepper
water 
Breadcrumbs

Partially slice open the top of each pepper and remove the seeds keeping the top still attached.

Crumb or grate the cheese into a bowl and mix in the chili, coriander, cumin powders and salt to taste.

Massage all the spices into the cheese and mold the cheese into 12 equal balls.  Stuff the peppers with this mixture.

For the batter, combine the  flour and seasonings in a bowl.  Add water, a bit at a time until you get a thick and sticky batter.

Dip the stuffed peppers into the batter and coat with the breadcrumbs.

Place the peppers onto a baking sheet on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 20-30 minutes until golden brown or fry in hot oil for a few minutes on each side.  


We can't guarantee that these will lasso you a spouse, but we promise they will taste great.

All this talk of food and love put us in mind of the old adage, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," and of the irreverent and amusing Robert Byrnes version:  "Anyone who says that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach flunked geography."    Also reminded us of this bizarrely erotic food/seduction scene in 9 1/2 weeks.  You won't believe what Mickey Rourke looked like before he started wearing chihuahua ashes around his neck...