11 piquante sauce recipes

A fiery Cajun shrimp sauce piquant loaded with three types of pepper, jalapenos, the holy trinity, and tomatoes simmered in seafood stock. Spooned over rice, this Louisiana classic brings serious heat and soul.

Cajun chicken sauce piquant with a dark roux, Chablis wine, tomato sauce, stuffed olives, and hot pepper sauce, slow-cooked for hours and served over spaghetti. Big-batch Cajun cooking.

Fried turtle meat simmered in a dark roux-based tomato sauce with mushrooms, shallots, bell pepper, lemon peel, and cayenne, served over hot rice. An authentic Louisiana Cajun dish that's as wild as the bayou itself.

Tangy barbecue sauce simmered with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, and red wine, spiked with mustard, capers, and cumin. A bold, piquant sauce for grilled meats that skips the bottled stuff.

A favorite Valencian tapa as well as a popular main dish, especially along the Costa Blanca.

Tender cod simmered in a spicy Cajun sauce piquant built on the holy trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery with garlic and cayenne. Serve it over rice for a Louisiana-style fish supper.

Cajun wild duck and andouille sauce piquant simmered low and slow in a dark roux with tomato sauce, white wine, and hot pepper. Louisiana bayou cooking at its boldest.

Ramps piquante simmers wild Appalachian ramps in sharp cheddar sauce sparked by Worcestershire and white wine vinegar. Spooned over crisp toast for an earthy spring brunch.

We like this piquant tomato sauce, which is easy on the calories, but if you are in the mood to indulge, try cream in place of the ricotta and yogurt.

Fiesta meat balls piquante are Mexican-style albondigas with rice baked into the meatballs and a chipotle-spiked tomato sauce. One-pan dinner with smoky, smoldering heat from pickled chiles.

Pan-fried fish in seasoned flour with a sharp rosemary, garlic, and white wine vinegar pan sauce. A Greek-style fish dish with bright, piquant flavors built right in the skillet.