One of my first memories of Aaron was when he babysat us once when we were living in Paradise. I must have been around 5 or 6 years old. First, I remember being relieved that nice, kind, fun Aaron was going to be watching us and not intimidating Jeff (who once held me over their hot fireplace and pretended he was going to drop me in... it was all in fun, and I was likely laughing, but I was always a little more uneasy around him after that!)
The memorable part of the babysitting evening was centered around a shaker of crushed red peppers. I don't know how it all started, probably on a dare from my older siblings, but Aaron agreed to try a pinch of pepper flakes raw. He followed through. It must have been spicier than he was expecting because I can still picture him bent over the kitchen sink with the running cold water blasting into his mouth.
For years after that, I pretty much thought that crushed red peppers were the hottest spice on the planet and were not meant for human consumption. I had thoughts along the lines of: "If Big A couldn't handle the heat, there is no way I'm going to even get close to touching them!" It took me well into adulthood before I was willing to use crushed red pepper flakes when cooking. And even then I introduced them very gradually, even gingerly.
Mike
The memorable part of the babysitting evening was centered around a shaker of crushed red peppers. I don't know how it all started, probably on a dare from my older siblings, but Aaron agreed to try a pinch of pepper flakes raw. He followed through. It must have been spicier than he was expecting because I can still picture him bent over the kitchen sink with the running cold water blasting into his mouth.
For years after that, I pretty much thought that crushed red peppers were the hottest spice on the planet and were not meant for human consumption. I had thoughts along the lines of: "If Big A couldn't handle the heat, there is no way I'm going to even get close to touching them!" It took me well into adulthood before I was willing to use crushed red pepper flakes when cooking. And even then I introduced them very gradually, even gingerly.
Mike
Fun post Mike,
ReplyDeleteAnd what about now? You could take Aaron on in a hot food contest and maybe put him under the table. But Jeff would win hands down.
Love you,
Aunt Kathy