Pepper Cooking Tips
In standard recipes, avoid adding ground pepper until the end of the cooking process so its flavor does not get dulled. When cooking a recipe using large amounts of pepper over high heat, be aware that any smoke from the peppered food can cause irritation, so be sure you have proper ventilation.
If you are cooking a dish that is light in color, specks of black pepper may detract visually from your end product, thus the call for white pepper.
White and black pepper can be used interchangably.
The French term au poivre indicates a dish made with large quantities of pepper.
Put a few whole peppercorns into your pepper shaker to not only add flavor to the ground pepper, but also keep it free-flowing.
Peppermills
If you do not own a peppermill to grind your own peppercorns, I beg you to pick one up. The difference in flavor is phenomenal. Peppermills range in price from less than $5 and up, depending on how fancy your tastes are. However, a simple, inexpensive manual peppermill works just fine.Spice manufacturers are now selling peppercorns in disposable bottles with built-in grinders. The peppercorns may not be of the best quality, but it will still be better than pre-ground pepper. Once you taste the difference, you will be hooked.
In selecting recipes for this article, I have concentrated on those containing whole or cracked peppercorns, since pepper in some form is used in nearly every savory dish. Enjoy!
More About Pepper, Peppercorns, and Pepper Recipes:
Peppercorns and Pepper Selection and Storage Peppercorn Varieties
Pepper Cooking Tips
Peppercorns and Pepper History
Pepper Lore
Pepper Recipes
Peppercorns Photo © 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.


