485 hot pepper recipes

Wild Card chili stirs molasses into a beef-and-bean chili with red beans, refried beans and chili powder. The molasses is the wild card. A 1-hour weeknight pot.

Diced chicken and cabbage get a fast flash-fry, then tossed with crushed peanuts, fresh chilies, and fermented chili bean curd for a fiery, nutty stir-fry that rivals your favorite Kung Pao.

Quelites, a traditional New Mexican spinach and pinto bean side dish with bacon drippings, chili pepper, and hard-boiled egg. A 25-minute Southwestern classic.

Guacamole-stuffed tomato cups with avocado, green chiles, onion, and lemon juice, topped with crumbled bacon on a bed of lettuce. A fresh Mexican-inspired appetizer salad.

Craig Claiborne's salt-free chili con carne with coarse-ground beef, hot and mild dried chiles, cumin, oregano, and red wine vinegar. Bold flavor without a grain of salt.

Red bean dip made with kidney beans, black pepper, and Tabasco blended smooth. A 4-ingredient, 10-minute dip served hot or at room temperature with chips or crackers.

A proper slow-simmered chilli con carne with browned ground beef, beer, fresh tomatoes, kidney beans, and a triple hit of chili peppers. Thickened with cornmeal and cooked low for hours until rich and deeply spiced.

Cajun shepherd's pie layers spiced beef-pork meatloaf, julienned sautéed vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes, then broils until golden. Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana spin on the British classic, loaded with cayenne and bell pepper.

Tex's chili with coarse-ground beef, kidney beans, both hot and mild ground chiles, cumin, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce simmered for an hour. A big-batch Texas-style chili with real ground chile heat.

German lentil soup with sliced frankfurters, carrots, celery, and onions, finished with a splash of vinegar for tang. A filling one-pot soup ready in about an hour.

Simple Indian curried mushrooms with turmeric, tomatoes, and onion. A quick vegetable side dish with just a handful of ingredients and no cream needed.

Savory lentils soaked overnight and simmered tender with sauteed onions in olive oil or bacon fat and a dash of hot sauce. A simple, hearty side dish with just 5 ingredients.

Bhindi masala with three pounds of okra cooked in a garlic-heavy base of browned onions, fresh green chilies, turmeric, and cumin. A straightforward Indian okra dish that's vegan, quick, and full of warm spice.

Midwest chili stews ground beef chuck with onion, garlic, cumin, ground chile, tomatoes, and pinto beans into a thick, brick-red bowl. Hearty heartland-style chili built for cold-weather suppers and game-day spreads.

Quick red beans and rice with diced ham, cayenne, cumin, and hot sauce over brown rice. A Cajun-spiced skillet dinner ready in 25 minutes using pre-cooked ingredients.

Maharagwe is a Swahili spiced red bean stew simmered in coconut milk with turmeric, hot chili peppers, and tomatoes. A vegan East African comfort dish served over rice or ugali.