10 hot cherry pepper recipes

A gourmet vegan black bean chili loaded with chanterelle and shiitake mushrooms, five types of chiles, spelt berries, fresh corn, and dried sour cherries. Simmered in tomato and orange juice for layers of earthy, smoky, sweet heat.

Vegan chili made hearty with marinated tempeh, kidney beans, mushrooms, and a long simmer in tomato and vegetable stock. Deep, savory, slow-cooked Meatless Monday meal.

Linda McCartney's chilled avocado and green chili soup blended with soy milk, lemon juice, and dry sherry. A creamy vegan soup ready in 20 minutes with no cooking required.

Homemade Creole sauce with okra, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and sherry blended smooth. A versatile Louisiana-style sauce with heat from hot sauce and depth from chili sauce.

Hearty Irish-inspired soup blending colcannon flavors with corned beef, cabbage, kale, leeks, and russet potatoes in a brothy base spiked with sherry and warm spices.

Massive pot of black bean cassoulet soup with garlic sausage, Italian sausage, bratwurst, and a meaty ham bone. Simmered for 5 hours with sherry, brown sugar, and lemon. Feeds 16.

Stuffed soft-shell crawfish: Louisiana bayou classic with shells packed full of buttery crawfish-bread stuffing, fried golden, and crowned with rich hollandaise. A full-on Cajun centerpiece.

Sesame gingered shrimp stir-fried with asparagus, orange and lemon zest, and a sherry-cornstarch sauce. A bright, citrus-kissed seafood stir-fry over fluffy long-grain rice.

Pickled green cherry tomatoes canned with hot red peppers, garlic, celery, and dill in a vinegar brine. Spicy, tangy fire balls that live up to their name.

Dr. Pepper cake is a Texas-born sheet cake using the soda for moisture and faint cherry-cola notes. Topped with warm Dr. Pepper cocoa frosting poured over the hot cake.