10,000 pepper recipes

Poor Man's Steak turns ground beef and cracker crumbs into tender, gravy-smothered patties. An old-school Depression-era dinner with a scratch mushroom cream sauce.

Rabbit livers sautéed with shallot and Cognac, layered with creamed leeks between flaky puff pastry rectangles. A refined French bistro starter.

Thai jungle curry paste (kaeng paa) pounded from shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, dried chilies, kaffir lime leaf and shrimp paste. Fiery, herbal base for water-based Thai curries.

Gujarati-style cabbage and carrots stir-fried with mustard seeds, asafetida, green and red chilies, cilantro, and lemon juice. A quick Indian vegetable side dish with bold spice.

Hot Hoppin' John salad with black-eyed peas, rice, ham, and crispy bacon served over stir-fried cabbage. A Southern rice and pea dish with a kick of hot sauce.

Buffalo burgers grilled medium rare and stacked with grilled portobello caps and a quick green tomato salsa. Lean game meat, smoky mushroom layer, tart unripe tomato salsa with jalapeno heat.

Chilled avocado soup blends buttermilk, ripe avocado, cucumber, and lime into a no-cook bowl with a green hot-sauce kick. Cold, creamy, and ready straight from the blender for hot-weather lunches.

Spicy black bean burgers with jalapeño, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Pan-fried vegetarian patties with crispy edges and a tender, chunky center.

Oysters Veracruz: Mexican-style baked oysters topped with chipotle sauce and melted quesadilla cheese. A spicy, smoky twist on classic baked oyster appetizers.

Broiled lime shrimp with cilantro, jalapeño, and a zippy lime-garlic dressing. Served cool over cucumber slices for a bright low-fat appetizer or light lunch.

Fish en escabeche: poached white fish marinated for two days in citrus, olive oil, jalapeños, and olives, then tossed with fresh tomato and avocado. A vibrant Mexican ceviche-adjacent appetizer served on crackers or tortilla chips.

Quick pasta with fresh garden vegetables, herbs and shaved cheese. Simple 15-minute Italian-style penne dinner showcasing summer produce.

Curried corn and chicken salad with a creamy yogurt-curry dressing, red cabbage, bell pepper, and cumin. A no-cook, make-ahead lunch with bold Indian-inspired flavor.

Crustade of chicken and pigeon: a medieval-style savory custard tart of tender poached game and chicken with mushrooms and raisins, set in a spiced egg-and-stock custard. Old English flavors in a pastry case.

Breakfast bake: savory sausage, hash browns, peppers, and cheese in an egg and biscuit-mix batter, baked into one hearty casserole. A make-ahead crowd-pleaser for brunch.

Charleston okra soup, the Lowcountry classic with simmered ham bone, fresh tomatoes, okra, bacon, and bell pepper. Ladled over rice for a true Carolina supper.