Basics for the novice cook

Chillies

There are a variety of chillies and they range in the amount of heat intensity.

A convenient way to put heat into a dish is to add chilli powder or chilli flakes, but as a native Thai I like to use fresh chillies whenever I can and especially in stir frys. I wash them, discard the stalk, and then slice them, before adding them to my dish - seeds and all.

If you've been handling chillies, make sure you wash your hands immediately afterwards, and especially before you touch any other parts of your body.

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Vegetables and Things