I remember it like it was yesterday. Dad had just come home from the grocery store and called me and my brother into the kitchen to help unload bags. As we unbagged, I spotted some strange-looking orange vegetables sitting innocently on the counter. My dad had stepped away, so naturally, I asked my older, wiser brother what they were. A mischievous grin spread across his stupid face.

“Oh, those are habañero peppers!” he explained cheerily. “They’re really sweet and tasty. I dare you to eat one before dad gets back.”

In an attempt to impress my big brother, I picked one up, sniffed it for further inspection, and popped the entire thing in my mouth. You can guess what happened next.

Years later, I decided to turn my pain and past grudges into art. Alas, the sinister and seriously tasty Grilled Habañero Bomb was born. These puppies are hot, but unlike the raw pepper I consumed that fateful day in my parents’ kitchen, there’s yummy cream cheese to extinguish the mouthfire.

Still, consume with caution.