In Which Russ Chila-Killes the Kids

It is time I tell you the story that has become a part of Ray Family Lore and needs now to be memorialized in my blog.

In the spring, while I was happily holding babies at my sister’s house, Russ was planning to try a new recipe out on the kids.  The recipe was for Chilaquiles (pronounced chee-lah-KEE-lays, should you be struggling with that) and he was sure it was going to be well received.  According to all of the food network shows Russ watches, chilaquiles are the ultimate in comfort food.  The recipe called for a couple of ingredients we didn’t have in the pantry but finally he had accumulated everything he needed, including 2 cans of chipotle peppers, and was set to make his new dish.

On the night in question he sliced and fried and blended (the 2 cans of chipotle peppers) and shredded his way to chilaquile perfection.  He put the food on the table and served each child some chilaquile and then went to get a few more things to put on the table.  As the children started eating, one at a time they complained to Russ that the food was too spicy. 

[I must insert a side note here.  Dieting seems to have had the singular effect on Russ of completely destroying his palate.  Now he is unable to eat something with any amount of enjoyment unless it is so spicy that it makes the rest of us cry from pain.]

Russ assured the kids that the food was not too spicy, and told them to keep eating.  A few minutes later he sat down and started eating.  He was surprised to find that the first bite was spicy, even to him.  He took another bite thinking  that it would be better, but it was even worse.  And after the third bite, his mouth burning, he admitted defeat.  And told the kids that they had his permission to stop eating.  It was too spicy!

He was so puzzled.  Though he has made food before that is too spicy for some of the rest of us, never before has he followed a recipe (or even jazzed up an existing dish) and had such a total failure.  It was not until he looked at the recipe again (far more carefully) that he realized his mistake.

Where he thought he read
2 cans of chipotle peppers, blended,
it read instead:
2 canned chipotle peppers, blended.

A subtle, but very important distinction, especially as there are usually 4-6 chipotle chilies in each can!

 

Tonight we successfully ate Chilaquiles.   We are not convinced that they are the ultimate comfort food.  But at least they were somewhat comfortable this time!