10,000 pepper recipes

Wild rabbit gumbo slow-cooked in a dark roux with the holy trinity, finished with plump oysters and a hit of hot sauce. Served over rice with file, this is deep Louisiana soul food.

Quick microwave chili con queso dip with sharp cheddar cheese spread, fresh tomato, and green chiles. A Tex-Mex chip dip ready in under 10 minutes.

Barbecue spice rub with paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and a hint of curry for beef steaks like T-bone, tenderloin, and sirloin. Mix once, use all grilling season.

Texas-style red chili made from dried chile pods pureed into a fiery sauce with browned meat, cumin, and oregano. No beans, slow-simmered for hours.

Pan-seared New York strip steak topped with a melted blue cheese and white wine sauce made from the pan drippings. A steakhouse-quality dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Indian-style barbecued fish skewers marinated in a spiced yogurt paste with garam masala, coriander, ginger, garlic, and cayenne. A tandoori-inspired grilled fish kebab.

Herbed rice cake baked with cheddar, dill, parsley, onion, and a hit of Tabasco. Cuts into crisp-edged squares that work as a side or vegetarian main.

South Indian couscous patties made with ground urad dal, green chilies, ginger, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Vegetarian, spicy, and shaped by hand.

L'Hootz F'Tadjeen is a North African fish tagine with saffron, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes layered and simmered in olive oil. A one-pot Sephardic-style fish stew finished with lemon juice and pimento.

Baked cheddar cheese balls with crispy rice cereal, butter, cayenne, and hot sauce. Dime-sized, crispy appetizer bites that bake in under 10 minutes and store indefinitely.

Huevos en rabo de mestiza, Mexican eggs poached in a tomato and green chile broth topped with melted Monterey Jack. Traditional vegetarian desayuno, ready in 30 minutes.

Hot cowboy beans: pinto beans simmered low and slow with salt pork, ham hock, onion, jalapeños, and chili powder. A Texas chuckwagon classic that gets better every day.

Asparagus cream soup blends frozen asparagus with chicken broth, milk, and egg yolks into a silky velouté finished with a hit of hot sauce. Old-school stovetop classic that uses pantry staples and feeds a crowd.

Tomato vinaigrette salad with fresh tomato wedges tossed in a white wine and balsamic dressing with garlic, parsley, and a pinch of chili heat. Five-minute summer side.

Lorraine's red stew fish: West African style fish stew with onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños ground into a deep red sauce, thickened with cornstarch and finished with butter. Spoon over rice or fufu.

Yum Hoi Mang-Pu, a Thai mussel salad tossed with lemongrass, shallots, fresh mint, fiery bird's-eye chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce. Crisp, fiery, and sour, served over lettuce as a starter.