Welcome to tips and techniques at Start Cooking.com. I'm Kathy Maister.

Chili peppers add flavor and varying amounts of heat, depending upon what pepper you choose.

The fire in chili peppers is mostly in the veins of the pepper. The seeds get hot just from touching the veins.

Most grocery stores have charts to help you

choose hot peppers. The Ploblano is one of the mildest chili peppers. Halipenias,

often found in Tex-Mex dishes, add tons of flavor and medium heat. Thai peppers are

really hot. Prominent and Asian recipes they add a a kick, which many people find way too intense.

After touching hot peppers, be careful not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. The oils

will really burn. It's best to just wear disposable gloves when preparing hot peppers.

Remove the seeds and the veins, cut the pepper in half with a parry knife. Then, just cut away the veins and the seeds.

You can then cut the peppers into thin strips or fine dice.

If your mouth is on fire, don't gulp down water.

That just spreads the oils around the mouth and down your throat.

Drink milk, eat some yogurt, or a big bowl of ice cream.

Cheers! drink milk, eat some yogurt, or a big bowl of ice cream. Cheers.