10,000 pepper recipes

Ham and Swiss cheese quiche cooked in the microwave with eggs, half-and-half, and a touch of nutmeg. Quick weeknight quiche ready in 27 minutes.

Note: 15 bean mixtures are available packaged in supermarkets and health food stores. If you prefer, make your own by combining equal amounts of dried blackeyed peas, red kidney beans, white kidney beans (cannellini), green lentils, split peas, black beans, yellow split peas, navy beans, cranberry (Roman, shell, or shell out) beans, great Northern beans, pinto beans, small white limas, red lentils, cow peas (field peas), and pink beans. Avoid using beans such as garbanzos and large lima beans, as these take longer to cook than other varities.

Layers of steamed cauliflower, sliced tomatoes, and water chestnuts smothered in a homemade cheddar cheese sauce with basil and a hint of cayenne. Topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly and golden.

Homemade sambar powder (sambar podi) with toasted channa dal, coriander seeds, red chilies, fenugreek, and asafetida. An essential South Indian spice blend.

Shrimp and cheese enchiladas in a creamy jalapeño-pepper sauce with Monterey Jack, sour cream, and fresh tomatoes. A rich, Tex-Mex seafood enchilada baked until bubbly.

Rustic Italian spaghetti from the Ciociaria region with plum tomatoes, sweet peppers, oil-cured olives, and Romano cheese. A bold, no-meat pasta that's ready in under an hour.

Carne Mechada: fork-tender flank steak simmered in broth, hand-shredded, then pan-fried with paprika, peppers, and tomatoes until saucy and rich. A Venezuelan staple for arepas and rice.

Not sure about chicken served with chocolate sauce, but my curiosity wanted me to make it, and I did. It actually came out delicious. All the flavours worked so well. Definitely will be making it again soon!

My copycat version of the top secret famous A1 Steak Sauce.

Homemade tasso from pork shoulder cured in a bold Cajun spice rub with cayenne, paprika, and garlic. No smoker needed, just patience and plastic wrap.

Herb-loaded tomato barbecue sauce sweetened with honey and spiked with cumin, coriander, chili powder, and Tabasco. Simmers for 30 minutes and makes 5 cups of bold, versatile basting sauce.

Green tomato relish with onions, red bell peppers, and banana peppers in a tangy white vinegar brine with pickling spices. A classic end-of-season canning recipe that yields 11 pints.

Blueberry salsa pairs juicy berries with jalapeno, red onion, cilantro, and lime for a sweet-and-spicy condiment. A fresh summer dip for chips, grilled fish, or pork tacos.

Warm sweet corn salsa with butter, jalapeno, cilantro, tomato, and rice vinegar. A light butter sauce salsa made with fresh corn kernels, perfect over chicken or lobster.

Spicy sausage sandwiches on English muffins with homemade pepper-corn salsa, jalapenos, banana peppers, and melted Colby cheese. A fiery breakfast or lunch sandwich.

Grilled halibut steaks basted with seasoned butter and served with a chilled cucumber-sour cream sauce. Light, fresh, and ready in 30 minutes.