Long, but excellent article on cayenne and capsicum, Recipes too!

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http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_cayenne.htmThe famous spice called the cayenne is a type

of pepper species that is native to tropical America. The cayenne is a

perennial herb when grown in natural conditions in tropical areas of

the world, however, it can also be cultivated as an annual plant in

areas outside the tropical zone - the cultivation of this plant is

carried out as an intense commercial activity in many tropical and

sub-tropical regions of the world. The cayenne is characterized by

having a glabrous stem, the stem is woody at the bottom and branched

near the top, the cayenne can reach a height of three feet or more when

fully mature. The cayenne also has ovate to lanceolate shaped leaves,

the leaves are entire and bear a petiole. Between the months of April

to September, the plant bears white to yellow colored flowers which can

grow singly or even in pairs of three each. The source of the

commercial cayenne is the ripe fruit, this fruit is a multi seeded pod

or pepper which is characterized by having an external covering which

is leathery; it comes in various shades from red to yellow. Commercial

chili comes in many varieties and forms, the more famous ones are from

areas around California, they are the jalapeno, the serrano and the

yellow wax. All chili varieties have the hot tasting and fiery property

because of the presence of a chemical compound called capsaicin in the

fruiting body. The hotness of different chilies can be measured and

scored by the units devised early in the 20th century by Wilbur

Scoville, a pharmacist, the scoring of capsaicin content in different

chilies is carried out in units called Scoville Units - these measure

the comparative hotness of different chilies. The majority of all the

commercial peppers available in the market today come in a "hotness"

range from a negligible zero to 300,000 Scoville Units according to

this measurement. The commonly used culinary pepper, the green bell

peppers have no scoville rating and at zero due to the absence of

capsaicinoids in the fruiting body. The famous jalapenos pepper are

considered to be fiery and come at a scoville rating between 2,500 to

5,000, the hottest Tabasco peppers and the different varieties of

cayenne have scoville ratings from 30,000 units all the way to 50,000

scoville units. Topping the Scoville scale at a scorching 300,000 each

are the Scotch Bonnet pepper from the Caribbean and the pepper called

the Habanero from the Mexican area of Yucatan. The scoville unit has

been replaced these days by a new hotness system, known as the Official

Chili Heat Scale, that has a hotness rating for chilies from 0 to

10-simplifying the rating of chilies to some degree. In this new

hotness scale, a rating of zero is still applied to the bell peppers -

which are at the bottom of the rating due to the absence of capsaicin,

a rating of 5 is given to the jalapenos peppers, a rating of 8 is given

to the Tabasco and cayenne peppers, and the hottest rating of 10 is

given to the Scotch Bonnet and Habanero peppers.

As mentioned before, the chemical compound called capsaicin is the

main active ingredient in cayenne and all other chili peppers - this

compound is responsible for the "hotness" associated with chilies. The

presence of this compound is responsible for the fiery kick present in

Mexican food, the capsaicin is responsible for turning the plain pickle

juice into the sauce known as Tabasco, the capsaicin is the active

compound that turns ginger

ale into such a real thirst quencher, the strong flavors and spiciness

of Cajun cuisine depends on the capsaicin of all the peppers used in

cooking, capsaicin is what makes the famous curry powder such an

ubiquitous and interesting general spice for a variety of cooking

styles. The main action of the compound capsaicin lies mainly in its

ability to initially stimulate the hypothalamus and then to actively

desensitize the warmth detectors in the hypothalamic region - when the

compound achieves both of these actions, it brings on a significant

drop in the temperature of the body temperature. This ability of the

capsaicin to drop elevated body temperatures is the main factor which

allows natives in many hot southern climates such as the tropical

countries in Central and South America and Africa, to tolerate the

excessive heat in those regions a lot better than a native of a

temperate region would be able to. The amazing fact is that the reason

for the heavy consumption of capsicum and chili peppers in tropical

areas as an aid to keeping cool, this may sound incredible but it is a

well known fact.

Chemically, the molecular structure of the capsaicin compound is

very similar to the structure of vanilla; however, the thermal rating

of capsaicin is metaphorically speaking as hot as the molten hinges on

the gates of hell itself. The ability of the cayenne pepper to boost up

the body's metabolic rate has been suggested by the results of some of

the more recent European studies, these studies also point out that the

vitamin C

levels in the body may also be boosted up by adding cayenne peppers to

the daily meal. By an as yet unidentified pathway, the capsaicin is

believed to be capable of revving up and "resetting" the body's "fat

thermostats" controlled by tissues simply called "brown fat", this

beneficial action allows the body to burn off excess fat through the

act of metabolic chemical combustion, and avoids the storing of fat

alongside the muscular tissues.

Capsaicin based topical herbal creams can be used to gain temporary relief from the pain of minor aches and the symptomatic muscles' pains and joints related to long term arthritis, these can also be used as an external treatment in the case of a simple backache, and in treating strains and sprains

of all kinds. These topical creams can be used safety by all adults and

by children two years of age or older. Ideally, the topical herbal

cream must be applied to the affected areas of the body regularly and

on a daily basis, not exceeding four times a day per session. On the

initial use of the topical capsaicin treatment, there may be some

transient burning sensation along the affected area, these usually

abate over the course of several days and full relief is gained in no

time at all. Daily application is required to gain optimal relief from

symptoms, and the treatment should be used continuously, with

application sessions three to four times daily as long as the symptoms

persist.

Some precautionary measures to be followed: handle the capsaicin

topical cream with care and wash your hands carefully using a lot of

soap and water, following application of the cream. Care should be

taken during application of the cream and not to rub the cream on

broken skin or along existing rashes on the skin. The cream must be kept away from the eyes and must not be used in conjunction with a topical heating pad.

There is also some evidence that sudden, potentially lethal and

inexplicable blood clot formation in the body can be halted by the

compound capsaicin. According to the results of a research published in

the New England Journal of Medicine, the majority of people in Thailand

have almost no blood clotting complications due to the dietary

consumption of large quantities of red pepper on a regular basis. This

can be taken to imply that potentially severe blood

clot formation can be avoided by consuming capsicum regularly. The

general advice is that taking two capsaicin capsules every day is

beneficial for the maintenance of general health and it is suggested

that susceptible individuals eat more of a Mexican, an Indian or other

chili based diets on a regular basis. The blood can also be kept thin

by regular consumption of other kinds of spicy foods laced with

abundant quantities of red pepper. Helping the prevention of blood clot

formation by following these suggestions will also ensure that a person

has lesser chances of suffering from a stroke - a severe condition which is almost always due to a blood clot.

The amazing thing about capsaicin and its ability to induce so much

"hotness" and irritation on the skin is that it can aid in the healing

of painfully raw and sensitive stomach ulcers, helping in the healing

process of damaged tissues over a period of time during recovery. The

main question to ask is how does the compound accomplish this action in

the human body? One possible effect of the capsaicin inside the body

can be that the compound stimulates the mucosal cells in the gut, this

may result in the rapid release of more slimy mucous which results in a

mucus coating forming on the walls of the intestines, and this coating

may also cover the sore and bleeding intestinal ulcers,

preventing them from spreading and leading to the healing of the

damaged tissues. The analogy of a dog licking its wounds or a man

sucking a burnt finger in his mouth, can be used as a comparison for

the way stomach ulcers

are alleviated when covered by heavy mucous secretions in the

intestines. The healing of ulcers in the intestinal area is thus

accomplished by cayenne peppers in this way - all due of course, to the

presence of the chemical compound capsaicin. The dosage of herbal

capsaicin suggested for daily consumption is a single capsule, taken

two times to thrice along with the daily meals - this dosage must be

maintained throughout the supplementation period.

The elevated high blood sugar levels which affects diabetics can

also be reduced significantly by making the patient consume an average

of three capsules of capsicum, such as the herbal product called

Nature's Way or any herbal capsule brand of capsicum from a health food

store - regularly taking this dose of capsicum will enable the patient

to control and lower the heightened blood glucose levels in the body.

Conversely patients who are not otherwise diabetic and are diagnosed with hypoglycemic,

are advice to avoid all cayenne and chili based products in their own

interest - they should strictly remove all capsaicin containing foods

in their meals and must stay off herbal formulas containing capsaicin

at the same time.

During animal tests involving rodents in the laboratory, the test

rodents were given a very high fat diet; at the same time cayenne

pepper was also supplemented to study its effects on the physiology of

the animals. One of the most significant and immediate results that

could be discerned in the animals was liver cholesterol

content did not rise and the animals also seemed to experience an

increased in the excretion of cholesterol in the feces. These

beneficial effects of the cayenne must be taken advantage of, and

individuals who are consuming any type of greasy food, must ensure that

they drink at least eight oz. glasses of tomato juice fortified with a pinch of cayenne pepper with some lemon juice added for flavor. The risk of heart disease can be substantially lowered in this way if the diet is carefully followed.

A particular kind of severe and uncomfortable headache called cluster headaches

affects many unfortunate patients around the world. These types of

headaches can last from half an hour to a whole two hours at times and

may suddenly affect the person many times daily for months at a time.

The presence of throbbing pain in and around the eye is the first

symptoms of such headaches and they are characterized by such

excruciating and severe pains from other types of headaches or migraines. Patients suffering from cluster headaches often complain of a severe

and intense pain in the eyeball as a hypodermic syringe stabbing them

in the eye - such is the intensity of the pain during the occurrence of

the headache that the patient may be unable to perform any tasks,

physical or otherwise and may be totally overcome by the pain.

Approximately two million Americans suffering from cluster headaches

can soon expect some relief thanks largely to the results obtained

during the course of a pioneering research carried out in Italy - a

cure from the worst aspects of cluster headaches may soon be on the

horizon due to this research. During the course of the investigation,

several Italian doctors tested the physiological effects of a capsaicin

based cream called Zostrix for up to a week on a group of forty five

cluster headache patients. During the trial, the clinical researchers

used sterile cotton swabs smudged with a little of the capsaicin cream,

these swabs were then inserted about an inch into the nostrils of the

patient towards the side of the head where the symptomatic pain was

greatest during an attack of the cluster headache. This initial

insertion of the swabs was followed by sessions of massages

immediately upon removal of the swabs, each such session lasted fifteen

seconds during which the nostril was gently massaged to ensure that the

capsaicin cream in the nostril was evenly distributed within the entire

nostril - the rubbing was also intended to enable the penetration of

the cream into the mucous membranes inside the nostril. Amazing results

were obtained from the week long study, thirty four of the patients

experienced a total disappearance of the symptoms associated with the

cluster headaches, and some of the remaining patients were also free of

symptomatic pain for up to a year following the tests. Only six of the

patients reported no improvement at all, while five others experienced

a 500/0 reduction in the intensity and severity of the headaches. An

initial burning sensation in the nostril was the only side significant

side effect of note, noticed by any of the patients using the cream -

however, this burning sensation also stopped being a problem after four

or five applications of the cream.

To some extent, energy levels in the body of a person are known to

be boosted by consuming some capsicum or some paprika. Many herbal

energy boosting products in fact contain the capsicum in some form;

this is especially true of many products available in the herbal

market, including the product called Nature's Way Herbal Up, which is

available in the majority of health food stores around the United

States. Among volunteers in a clinical setting who used capsicum in

diet regularly, the consumption of cayenne pepper actually increased

the strength of the electrical energy auras in the body. The strength

boosting capabilities of the cayenne peppers can be understood from the

results of this finding itself.

Fat or alcohol

can dissolve capsaicin - the fiery ingredient in chilies and peppers

very easily. For this reason, when people consume chilies or peppers in

their meals or for medicinal property and are affected by the "fiery"

sensation, they often tend to resort to drinking either milk or beer to

help reduce the intensity of the "hotness" induced in the taste buds -

beer and milk are very popular in this regard with chili and pepper

eaters.

A pepper based ointment consisting of one part ground hot pepper and

five parts petroleum jelly - Vaseline - is manufactured and used in

mainland China and the country of Taiwan to treat athletic injuries and other work related to physical injuries like muscle sprains, all kinds of bruises,

and the swollen painful joints - this ointment is rubbed into the

affected area of the body directly for relief from the physical trauma.

The petroleum jelly - Vaseline - is initially melted down and to the

ground hot pepper is added, the preparation is mixed well and then

allowed to undergo cooling till it congeals and forms a gel - at which

point it is ready for use. The affected area of the body can be rubbed

using this herbal ointment once every day, or once every two days for

maximum relief from the pain. The efficiency of this healing ointment

can be gauged from a report published in the year 1965 in the journal

of traditional medicine from Zhejiang, China, where seven out of twelve

patients who were treated using the ointment alone were cured

completely, while three patients improved significantly, at the same

time two of the patients did not respond very well to the treatment

using the ointment. Four to nine applications of the ointment needed to

be used to bring relief in those cases where the treatment was

successful.

The cayenne pepper can easily cure soreness in the throat of patients, according to many naturopathic

physicians; the worst pain imaginable during a sore throat can be

treated with great effectiveness using the cayenne based herbal

remedies. Herbalists say that such physical relief from the sore throat

can persist for up to four hours at a time following treatment. The

suggestion of these naturopath physicians is for use a gargling mixture

of some lemon juice, with cayenne pepper and some salt - this mixture

can be used to gargle during a sore throat to alleviate the pain. The

possibility of viral infection

is also negated by this simple formula, at the same time that it is

beating back the pain. An astringent quality is given to this remedy by

the addition of the sour citrus juice of the lemon or lime,

the presence of the sour citrus brings about the shrinkage in the

swollen membranes of the throat and aids in the rapid removal of

accumulated mucus

in the throat. Bacterial growth and multiplication is inhibited by the

presence of the salt in the mixture, the warm and moist places of the

body like the throat are otherwise very good places for bacterial multiplication and growth.

The preparation of this cayenne based throat gargle is simplicity

itself, the searing gargle is made by initially mixing the juice of

half a lemon or lime with a single full tablespoon of salt. These must

then be stirred well in both half a cup of distilled and lukewarm

water. The cayenne pepper can then be added in by stirring a quarter of

a teaspoon of the cayenne pepper into the water. This medication must

not be swallowed in any even, however, it is essential to gargle small

amounts of this very potent remedy as long as possible - the longer the

better, as the soreness in the throat must be reached and washed out

using the gargle. The basic throat remedy can be turned into different

tasting variations, by adding other ingredients such as honey,

some blackstrap molasses or even some pure maple syrup or some pure

vanilla extract - the horrible and burning taste can be improved and

some flavor can be given to the gargle by these additions. During an

incidence of painful sore throat, the mixture can be used as a gargle,

ideally once every four hours, or even as needed till the symptomatic

pain or the soreness disappears.

At the pain clinic of the Toronto General Hospital, Canada, researchers found a new method of treating the prolonged cases of shingles

in patients some time ago. These researchers found that the disease

tended to include a chronic phase characterized by severe persistent

pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia

in about 15% of the cases. In this particular phase, the patient is so

severely affected that the slightest touch of a bed sheet can cause a

lot of pain - resting for any length of time becomes a near

impossibility. However, the use of a capsaicinoid based topical cream

developed by the researchers on the affected areas of the body of

patients' with shingles led to the sensitization of skin, at least

fifty six per cent of the patients in the test reported a significant

reduction in the pain they felt, while seventy eight per cent of the

patients in the test spoke of a slight decrease in the painful symptoms

on application of the cream.

Though devoid of scientifically validated proof, some clinical

studies conducted on different test patients point to the fact that the

inclusion of small amounts of cayenne pepper and other varieties of

chilies in the daily diet regularly may aid in significantly lowering

the risk of individuals ever suffering from pathogen induced disorders

of the respiratory system and there seemed to be a much reduced chance

of being affected by viral induced pneumonia

- such effects can only be attributed to the presence of capsaicin in

the peppers and chilies. The onset of infections in the respiratory

system also seems to be curtailed by capsaicin, while the actual

mechanism is not fully understood by researchers, the compound

capsaicin some how boosts and strengthens the lungs by promoting the

natural defenses of the human immune system. The presence of high

amounts of the essential vitamin C in chili peppers may perhaps be

responsible for the occurrence of this particular phenomenon, added to

the effects of the capsaicin, the high vitamin C content may be able to

significantly boost the performance of the immune system

in the body. In the early parts of the 1930's, the late Hungarian

scientist Dr. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi researched the properties of the

cayenne pepper, particularly the paprika, during the course of these

investigations, the scientist discovered and then managed to isolate

the important nutrient vitamin C, the discovery would go on to result

in a Nobel Prize in medicine for him. The vitamin C content found in

chilies is over all significantly much more per unit weight of the

nutrient than that found in oranges or in grapefruits

and other citruses. To guard against the dreaded vitamin C disease

called scurvy, British sailors or "limeys" carried on voyages pickled

lime, many Spanish sailors beginning from the 16th century on preferred

taking with them large amounts of pickled peppers as they could be

stored in the voyage - this is a good and probable explanation for the

high content of vitamin C in peppers. The vitamin C present in the lime

and the chilies prevented the disorder called scurvy, a very common

deficiency disease on long voyages in the old days.

PARTS USED

Fruit. USES

The temperature regulation center in the human body is altered by

the presence of the compound capsaicin, the presence of capsaicin in

the body also leads to the stimulation of the circulation system. The

compound capsaicin has often been used in the past as a local

analgesic, due to its effect of desensitizing the local nerve endings

when it is applied on to the skin. Potent antibiotic properties are believed to be possessed by the compounds called capsicidins present in the seeds of the cayenne pepper.

In disorders such as impaired circulation and related diseases in

the body, the heating qualities possessed by the herb makes it an

extremely valuable all round remedy. The particular value of cayenne

lies in the fact that it has a tendency to promote the flow of blood to

the hands and feet and improves general circulation within the central organs of the body.

The cayenne also has a mild local analgesic effect when it is

topically applied on the skin. A distinct rubefacient property is also

evident in the cayenne, the pepper aids in bringing an increase in the

blood flow to the troubled areas of the body, a factor that aids in the

stimulation of impaired circulation during disorders such as "cold"

rheumatic and arthritic conditions, this property of the cayenne

enables it to help in the rapid elimination of accumulated waste

products in the body and leads to an increase in the flow of nutrients

to all the tissues in the body of a person. Unbroken skin in case of chilblains

can also be treated using the cayenne herbal remedy. Aside from these

uses, the traditional herbal remedy for those susceptible to suffer

from persistent cold feet is to put cayenne herbal remedy in the socks.

Digestion can be promoted by taking the herbal cayenne remedy, the

remedy aids in increasing the secretion of the digestive juices and

also aids in relieving excess abdominal gases and colic at the same time. Infection

present in the digestive system can be effectively countered by taking

the cayenne remedy, at the same time, the cayenne remedy also aids in

the prevention of various infections from taking a hold on the

digestive system of the individual. Sore throats can be effectively

treated making a throat gargle from a single pinch of the cayenne.

Though it may sound unlikely, at least some types of diarrhea can also be treated using the cayenne based remedies.

Other medical usesHomeopathy, Addictions, Lung cancer, Osteoarthritis, Tension headache.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

The cayenne is a species of new world peppers, it was originally

found in a native condition only in the tropical regions of the

American continent. At this time, the plant is widely cultivated in

many tropical regions of the world, particularly in the tropics of

Africa and India - these areas are ideal for growing peppers. The

cayenne plant grows well in hot and moist conditions with plenty of

sunshine, the plant is propagated using stored seed during early

spring. Peppers are harvested from the plant during the summer, when

they are fully ripe, these collected peppers are then dried in the

shade and stored for future use and sale.

CONSTITUENTS

Cayenne contains alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids, vitamins A, B1, C, volatile oil, sugars, carotene pigment. HOW MUCH TO TAKE

The typical capsaicin content in the commonly marketed topical

creams is about 0.025 to 0.075% of the compound - this is the

commercial content level of capsaicin preferred for use in the

homeopathic herbal creams. Initial application of the topical

homeopathic cream usually bring on a burning sensation the first few

times, this sensation gradually decreases with time following each use

of the cream. Following the initial use of the topical cream, hands

must be carefully and rigorously washed using plenty of soap and water,

wearing gloves may also help in some cases. It is also very essential

to prevent the cream from accidentally getting into sensitive areas of

the body such as the eyes, the nose, or the mouth - as it can lead to

great burning sensation in such areas if they come into contact with

the cream. Areas of the body with broken or torn skin must not be

rubbed with the cream at any time. A cayenne tincture in the amount of

0.3-1 ml can be applied thrice every day as a treatment against topical

conditions.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Some precautions need to be taken when using cayenne based herbal

remedies. During the initial stage of use, when applying for the first

few times, the cayenne can induce a mild burning sensation, the burning

sensation may even be quite severe if the cayenne remedy is

accidentally applied to very sensitive areas of the body, such as the

eyes of the person -aside from such minor irritation, the capsaicin

cream induces no severe side effects in the body. Internal ulcers can

be caused by very high intake of the cayenne, however, the full

benefits are usually not achievable by taking the minimal or sensible

dose, and dosages need to be hiked for real benefits in most cases. Allergies

can develop in people from any substance on the face of the earth, for

this reason, similar to all other applications meant for use on the

skin, only a small spot on the skin of the person must be rubbed

initially with the cayenne cream to check for irritation and allergic

reactions, this is a precautionary measure as some individuals may have

an allergic reaction to the cream.

APPLICATIONS

Fruit:INFUSION – An herbal infusion can be made from the cayenne peppers.

This remedy is very simple to prepare and can be done quickly by using

a cup of boiling water and mixing half a tsp of cayenne to the water.

This solution must be diluted further by adding more hot water - the

dilute cayenne infusion can be sipped as and when required. The

infusion is excellent for dealing with the symptoms of various colds

and strong chills in the body, it can be used to warm cold hands and

feet in patients, it can also be taken as a warming drink by

individuals suffering from shock, or long term depression.

The functioning of the digestive system can also be stimulated by

drinking two to three drops of the undiluted infusion before the daily

meals.

TINCTURE – Cayenne can also be used to prepare a strong herbal

tincture, which can be used to as a general tonic and to stimulate

sluggish circulation in the body. Prepare the cayenne tincture by

diluting five to ten drops of the infusion in half a cup of hot water -

this tincture can be taken as and when required by patients.

COMPRESS – The cayenne infusion can also be used in the preparation of

an herbal compress. A compress pad can be soaked in the infusion, and

this pad can be placed on affected areas of the body for the treatment

of all kinds of sprains and rheumatic pains and used in cases of

bruising on the skin.

OINTMENT – The infusion of the cayenne can also be used as an herbal

ointment, for problems such as chilblains, but this must only be done

if the skin remains unbroken in the affected area.

GARGLE – Throat problems can be treated by gargling with a solution of

the cayenne tincture in which five to ten drops of herbal tincture has

been mixed in half a glass of warm water. Deficient and weakened

conditions are ideally treated using this herbal cayenne remedy.

INFUSED OIL – A water bath can be used to heat up 25 g of cayenne powder in half a liter of sunflower

oil, for two hours to prepare the herbal infused oil of cayenne. This

infused cayenne oil can be applied to the skin around a varicose ulcer

- care should be taken not to apply the oil on the ulcer itself - this

application of the oil will encourage the blood in the area to

circulate away from the area and promote healing of the ulcer.

MASSAGE OIL – Disorders such as rheumatism, back pain and lumbago, and arthritis

can be treated by using the infused cayenne oil as massage oil - the

oil can be rubbed into the affected areas of the body for maximum

relief from pain and symptoms.

STUFFED PEPPERS

8 large sweet peppers2 Tbs. olive oil2 onions, peeled and slivered3/4 lb. ground lamb2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped1 clove garlic, peeled and minced1 small bay leaf1/4 tsp. thyme2 cups cooked rice1 cup tomato sauce2 Tbs. butter2 tsp. fresh basil, mincedSalt and pepper to taste

Preheat over to 350°.Wash, core, and seed the peppers, and cut

off the tops. Boil the peppers and tops rapidly in water to cover, for

5 minutes. Drain well.In a large skillet, heat the oil and sauté

the onions until lightly browned. Add the meat and brown, stirring

constantly. Stir in the tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, bay

leaf, and thyme. Cook until the tomatoes are pulpy, but not dry. Add

the cooked rice, and mix well. Remove from the heat.Stuff the

peppers with the rice mixture, and replace the caps. Place in an oiled

baking dish, and bake 10 to 20 minutes - 20 if the peppers are very

thick. During the last few minutes of cooking time, heat the tomato

sauce, melt the butter into it, season with fresh basil, and pour over

the peppers before serving.Serves 6 to 8.

HOT MEXICAN CHILI WITH PEPPERS

1/4 cup vegetable oil3/4 cup chopped onions1/2 cup chopped sweet peppers2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced2 cups cooked kidney beans1 lb. ground beef6 hot peppers2 cups tomato sauce2 tsp. minced fresh oregano, or 1 tsp. driedSalt to taste

Heat the oil in a heavy kettle, and sauté the onions, sweet peppers,

and garlic, until the onions are transparent, about 5 minutes.Stir

in the kidney beans, and simmer while you seed and chop the hot

peppers. Add the ground meat, chili peppers, tomato sauce, oregano, and

salt to taste. Mash the beans into the liquid to thicken it. When the

meat is cooked, turn off the heat and let the dish stand for an hour

before serving.Serves 6