Pretty aren’t they?
Oh. Boy.
Beautifully grilled habanero peppers.
What do they have to do with today’s post?
While shopping I decided that tonight’s dinner needed something orange on the plate and rack my brain as I might, I just couldn’t come up with anything.
Until…
I saw the little, itty, bitty habanero peppers arranged so nicely in a basket in the produce section.
I’d never had them before and really am not a spicy food fan, AND have no idea where they might range on the heirarchy of the pepper heat scale.
Regardless, I thought they might be wonderful grilled after being tossed in some olive oil and coarse salt. I thought that slicing them into small sections would cut down on the heat.
After I grilled them, I seeded them, sliced them into quarters, then slivers and was going to serve them either on top of the chicken or as a side.
Until…
I bit into one!!
And it wasn’t even a whole one OR a big bite for that matter – it was a quarter of a quarter!
I just wanted to TASTE it.
Holy Crow!!!
I can’t believe how much heat that puppy put into my mouth. I have NEVER in my life experienced something so unbelievably HOT!!
My whole mouth was on fire, my lips were burning, my ears were ringing, I started salivating uncontrollably, and needless to say my nose was running like a faucet!
Nope, water doesn’t help.
Milk, well, a little better. Oh yeah, that works. Wait. Heck NO! It’s coming back!!! MORE MILK!!!!
So, there I ran around in the kitchen like a chicken with my head cut off desperately attempting to find some relief.
All this while the family sits on the couch watching both the Red Sox and Celtics lose and me circling in a frenzy.
“Really, Lynne, it can’t be THAT bad!” and “C’mon, mom.”
HAH – I couldn’t even respond!
What is GOING TO GET RID OF THIS????!!!!!
Vanilla. Ice. Cream.
And a BIG bowl of it.
Yup, that’s what I ate right before dinner while I was attempting to finish making dinner.
I will NEVER have another cute little, itty, bitty habanero pepper. AGAIN.
Mr. 365 had a small piece, too.
And then he needed some of my ice cream. 😉
Chicken with Spinach, Pine Nuts, & Gruyere Cheese
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package fresh spinach
½ cup grated Gruyere cheese
2 teaspoons pine nuts
1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup plain bread crumbs
½ cup olive oil, divided in two
2 cloves garlic, minced
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
In a flat dish press bread crumbs on to both sides of chicken. Place ¼ cup oil in a 13 X 9″-inch baking dish; set aside.
In a large skillet, pour in ¼ cup of olive oil, and add minced garlic. Sauté for one minute. Add spinach, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. Sauté until spinach is limp; set aside.
Spoon spinach mixture on to each of the chicken breasts. Top with grated Gruyere.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Comments & Reviews
Ha! I can just imagine the scene…. too funny. I’m glad you were able to finish making this delicious meal despite your mouth being on fire, because it looks delicious!
I experienced that before too! My mouth was on fire.. But I don’t mind trying them again … just need a cup of milk by my side.. 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
I’m sorry…but I had to laugh. I can’t believe that you had no idea how hot a habanero is. It must have been awful!!!!
Oh, girl! I had ABSOLUTELY no idea! Never judge a book by its’ cover – those cute little things aren’t as friendly and dainty as they appear to be, but then I know YOU knew that. You, my dear, would have loved the site. I smile just thinking about you laughing.
The only time I tried roasting habeneros, we had to open all the doors. It was like someone had released tear gas in the house. We didn’t even try a bite, just trashed them.
Oh, NO, Sandi!!!! That sounds quite painful! I don’t think I would have eaten them, and I don’t think I’ll be roasting habeneros again either! 😉