10,000 black pepper recipes

Lemons are available year round with a peak season in the summer. Choose specimens that are firm, smooth, brightly colored, heavy for their size, and devoid of any blemishes or green splotches, a sign of underripeness.

Greek pita dip tosses cubed feta, black Greek olives, roasted red peppers, and red onion in olive oil with balsamic vinegar and thyme. Serve with toasted pita.

Southern-style okra stewed with Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, bacon drippings, bell pepper, celery, and chili powder. A smoky, spicy side dish that freezes well.

Wine-marinated venison chops stacked with green pepper rings, rice, onion, and tomato slices, then oven-steamed in a garlicky tomato sauce spiked with Angostura bitters. A complete one-dish meal.

Vegan eggplant dal with roasted eggplant folded into red lentils simmered with popped mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. A smoky Indian lentil sauce.

Indian spiced eggplant (baingan bharta style) with cumin seeds, turmeric, coriander, fresh ginger, and cilantro. Roasted until smoky-soft, then simmered with tomato and spices.

Gateaux piments, Mauritian chilli cakes made from soaked chana dal, green chilies, turmeric, and fresh herbs. Deep-fried into crispy golden fritters.

Heartland corn chowder built on a smoked ham bone broth with pureed vegetables, fresh corn, and milk, topped with crumbled bacon. A thick, creamy Midwest-style chowder.

Olive quiche with a hash brown potato crust, two cheeses, green chilies, and spicy olives. Gluten-free and hearty with a crispy golden potato shell instead of pastry.

New Orleans-style oyster souffle with minced and whole oysters, the Cajun holy trinity, and stiff egg white meringue. A classic Creole seafood souffle from masterchef tradition.

A bold Latin-style sauce with green peppers, pimentos, canned tomatoes, and warm spices like cumin, oregano, and thyme. Built for spooning over shredded beef, rice, or stuffed into arepas.

Oven-poached cod fillets with julienned carrots, mushrooms, celery, and tarragon in a lemon-chicken broth. Light, healthy one-pan fish dinner in 45 minutes.

Lamb, lentil, and rosemary soup made from leftover roast lamb stock and bones, simmered with carrots, tomatoes, and earthy lentils. The Mediterranean way to stretch a Sunday roast into Monday's dinner.

Creamy chicken and rice casserole for two with mushrooms and green pepper in a from-scratch white sauce. No canned soup needed. Bubbly and golden in about an hour.

Marinated asparagus bundles tied with blanched green onion strips and marinated in red wine vinegar with oregano and tarragon. An elegant make-ahead appetizer.

Ham and Swiss cheese quiche with green peppers and scallions in a mayonnaise-enriched custard. Blind-baked crust keeps the bottom crisp and flaky.