What's in this Thai ground chicken that made me run from the stove?

[atikovi]

Was browning it off in a skillet and after a minute or two, I couldn't stand it any longer. It was like chopping onions but more intense. Not sure what tear gas feels like but this must be pretty close. Had to splash water into my eyes it was so strong. Came back wearing googles to finish it. What ingredients would have caused this?

 

[Aredeeem]

Maybe the vinegar powder? But it’s quite a ways down on the ingredients list.

 

[Aredeeem]

Vinegar mixed with salt makes a type of acid I believe. Did you salt and pepper the mixture during browning? I really don’t know.

 

[IndyIan]

No chili's? When my wife cooks Thai. often its pretty intense although alot of that is fish sauce(fermented fish).

 

[simple_gifts]

Vinegar mixed with salt makes a type of acid I believe. Did you salt and pepper the mixture during browning? I really don’t know.

OT: vinegar contains acetic acid; no mixing with anything is necessary.

 

[MParr]

Who knows?

 

[spasm3]

Probably the onions were in there green and as you cooked them you were right over them

 

[Dinoburner]

So you finished cooking it, did you eat it and if so what did it taste like?

 

[Lubener]

Maybe the fermented soy sauce was fermented too long.

Could also be a missing ingredient. The same thing which is sprayed from low flying airplanes at night..

 

[atikovi]

So you finished cooking it, did you eat it and if so what did it taste like?

I stuffed it into squash halves and then baked. Tasted great.

 

[DriveHard]

frying turmeric at high temps can be quite potent!!!

 

[Quattro Pete]

frying turmeric at high temps can be quite potent!!!

That's what I was thinking, too.

Makes it hard to breathe, as well.

 

[SuperSalad]

I've never used it before, but rosemary contains terpenes (like pinene, limonene, etc.) I'd bet rosemary extract would have a high concentration of that stuff. Add heat and I'd guess it would cause irritation.

Looks like just about everything on that ingredient list would cause eyes to water though, probably overloaded every receptor in your nose and eyes!

 

[wander2039]

Turmeric or the dried cilantro mostly.. but that's quite a potent mixture overall so probably just the mixture. Since my wife is Lao she makes dishes like this frequently. I have no idea how the paint stays on the walls. I've learned when to run.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I have no idea how the paint stays on the walls. I've learned when to run.

Yeah, it permeates all fabrics - the house smells for days and weeks afterwards.

I try to politely ask my wife to cook that kind of stuff on the patio instead, but I feel bad when it's 10 F outside.

 

[atikovi]

This stuff actually makes the house smell good. Now salmon on the other hand...

 

[Quattro Pete]

I only like cooking smells while the meal is being made and served. As soon as I'm done eating, I want all the cooking smells gone, STAT!

 

[Kira]

Could the chef have rubbed his eye(s) -with a spiced hand- whilst cooking?

I was merely warming sliced, fresh bell peppers and something hit my eyes and dropped me to me knees. I grunted so loud the neighbors came up the stairs to check. A seed....a small burst of strong juice...a pop of butter taking something along with it?

 

[vavavroom]

How did it taste?

 

[Zee09]

frying turmeric at high temps can be quite potent!!!

Exactly....it will year your gut up too.