OMG Ring of fire | Slight disappointment in Chong Co Belconnen

Have you ever eaten a really spicy meal? A meal or dish with way too many chilli peppers or Tabasco sauce? Growing up my family ate a lot of spicy foods and we all love chilli. My father grew chilli plants and preserved the chilli either as pickled chilli or in oil. I remember watching him eat them like snack food while watching television.

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I’ve felt overwhelmed by the heat of chilli. Then you know what happens a day or so later after the chilli has been churned and the nutrients digested in our intestinal systems. It’s interesting that our tongues are such sensitive organs while most of the rest of the mucous membrane of the alimentary system lacks the pain receptors for chilli. That is, all except the sensitive mucous membrane of the anal verge. That interface between the gut and our integument, our skin. On passing out of us, I know you know that common refrain, “OMG A ring of fire”.

A BURNING RING OF FIRE 😜

On Friday night Bron and I went to a favourite place, viz., Chong Co in Belconnen. We’d eaten many times before and always enjoyed the experience. On Friday night we shared an entrée which had a fish cake, chicken satay, curry puff and spring roll. Bron asked for a duck salad and I asked for PLA CHOO CHEE, viz., Pan fried barramundi topped with chilli, cooked in coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves and sweet basil leaves. We’ve both asked for these dishes before and enjoyed them. This time though we were both a little disappointed. Bron thought the duck lacked crispness and for me the chilli was way too much. I finished the dish but it was way too hot.

Next time I’ll be asking for something else.

Friday 2014-01-10 19.29.34 AEDT Mixed entrée of chicken satay, fish cake, curry puff and spring roll.

Friday 2014-01-10 19.40.45 AEDT PLA CHOO CHEE Pan fried barramundi topped with chilli, cooked in coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves and sweet basil leaves

Yes, my ring is now on fire.