How to Cook With Hot Peppers Without Getting Burned

Peppers can add pizazz to many meals. But those of us who are used to a milder diet may need a few pointers before handling them. The chemical that makes peppers hot is called capsicum. This is found in the seeds and the white membrane inside the pepper. That's why you can touch them with your bare hands before you cut them open, but not afterwards. With a little precaution you can enjoy cooking with hot peppers without getting burned.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Firm, ripe peppers
• Sharp paring knife

1. Put on rubber gloves. They should not be latex, as the chemical in the peppers can seep through the thin surgical gloves. Dishwashing gloves work best, as long as they're clean. Make sure you have a clean cutting surface to work on, and wash the peppers thoroughly in cool water.

2. Slice the pepper open. Start by slicing off the stem of the pepper, and then cut it in half lengthwise.

3. Remove the seeds and membrane. Using the sharp knife, cut away all the interior portion of the pepper. You can control the hotness of the pepper by the amount of seed and membrane you leave in. If desired, rinse the pepper in cold water while you are doing this to flush away all remaining seeds.

4. Chop the pepper. Cut it lengthwise into strips, and then gather the strips together to chop into the desired size.

5. Cool it even more. If your pepper is still too hot for your liking, you can cool it down further by soaking the pieces in cold water. Add one-half teaspoon of salt to the water, and stir to dissolve. Let the chopped pepper soak for an hour, and then drain the water and rinse the peppers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you taste your cooked dish and discover that your peppers are still too hot, dairy products can help. You can cool your mouth by taking a bite of yogurt or a drink of milk.
• Do not touch any portion of your skin while handling the peppers. It is easy to forget this and touch your nose or rub your eyes. Remember not to touch anyone else with your rubber gloves, either.
• If you are one of the few people who does not need to wear gloves while handling peppers, wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. Remember not to rub your eyes, put contact lenses in, or touch another person's skin with your bare hands for some time afterwards.

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