It's added to give flavor, not an overpowering heat. Chicken wings are bathed in a dark, aromatic sauce overnight, then baked in the oven until they reach a rich, deep red-brown color. The vegetarian entree is sesame and peanut- flavored lo mein noodles that are tossed with green onions and julienned cucumber. Whenever I've served these noodles, I found they are satisfying to both the carnivore and the vegetarian. For those who prefer strictly vegetables, I made a raw vegetable salad of broccoli, snow peas, carrots, baby squash and radishes with a Thai-inspired dressing of fresh lime juice, garlic, chiles, basil and cilantro.
Fruit is the most logical and simplest choice for dessert.
I usually prepare cubes of sweet cantaloupe and Asian pear and dress them up a bit by tossing them in tangerine juice, orange zest and mint, then thread them on skewers for ease in eating. Since it is simple to make and the ingredients are a matter of choice, I have not included any recipe for this. Mineral water is always my choice for beverage. Although having a champagne picnic via horseback sounds romantic, it could turn your pleasant experience into a dangerous one with inebriated riders galloping through the rough countryside. The less you need to bring to eat your meal, the better off you will be.