black pepper

recipes

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Beef Jerky

Let's face it, not everyone enjoys treats like double-chocolate cranberry cookies and peppermint patties, so for the loved one who doesn't have a sweet tooth, make beef jerky!

Let's face it, not everyone enjoys treats like double-chocolate cranberry cookies and peppermint patties, so for the loved one who doesn't have a sweet tooth, make beef jerky! This savory snack is great to give to people who live far away because it will keep for up to six weeks. There's not a lot of work to the recipe, but it requires time for marinating and cooking, so don't wait till the last minute. With a salt and pepper crust and rich beef flavor, the resulting jerky is better than any store-bought jerky I've tasted. It would definitely please the special man in your life! Check out the recipe now.

Tips

Thomas Keller Offers Chef's Wisdom and Kitchen Suggestions

"I don't get to come here often," Thomas Keller said to a morning audience at this past weekend's Aspen Food & Wine Classic.

"I don't get to come here often," Thomas Keller said to a morning audience at this past weekend's Aspen Food & Wine Classic. There's no question the godfather of all restaurant chefs has been busy, between his nine restaurants, six Michelin stars, cookbooks, and Bocuse d'Or leadership, so it was a rare treat to watch him demonstrate how to prepare homemade preserves out of his award-winning cookbook, Ad Hoc at Home.

While Keller demonstrated the versatility of sweet onion tapenade, cured lemons, and mushroom conserva, he revealed his sense of humor when he spoke about being in the first group of Best New Chefs 22 years ago, preparing a lobster dish that was served in a resident's home. "After 600 lobsters, I'm sure that home was never the same again," he joked. The chef also offered plenty of useful advice. To check it out, keep reading.

healthy living

Health Headlines: The Fight Against Breast Cancer Is Stronger

Two stories came out this week that show great promise for the fight against breast cancer by ridding the body of breast cancer stem cells.

Two stories came out this week that show great promise for the fight against breast cancer by ridding the body of breast cancer stem cells. These stem cells have been resistant to chemotherapy treatments and remained in the breast even after the cancer went into remission. Researchers hope that if they can eliminate the stem cells responsible for breast cancer, they can control the spread and recurrence of the disease.

Spices May Prevent Breast Cancer
— WebMD
In combination, turmeric and black pepper were shown to halt the growth of new breast cancer stem cells when applied in a laboratory dish. Piperine, which is found in black and long pepper, enhances the cancer-fighting properties of curcumin, which is prevalent in the spice turmeric. Before you run out and grab that curry, keep in mind that the spice solution was 20 times more potent than the spices found in a normal diet. More studies will be done to find a safe dosage for patients.

Experimental Drug Kills Breast Cancer Stem Cells
— Reuters
In clinical trials, an experimental compound called MK-0752 was effective in killing breast cancer stem cells in lab mice. The mice were injected with breast cancer stem cells from women and grew tumors that were identical to those growing in the women. When researchers combined chemotherapy with the compound they found, they were able to halt the growth of new cells.

recipes

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Parmesan Black Pepper Biscotti

Biscotti is typically a sweet treat, but it's delicious when made with savory ingredients like Parmesan cheese and fresh-cracked black pepper.

Biscotti is typically a sweet treat, but it's delicious when made with savory ingredients like Parmesan cheese and fresh-cracked black pepper. These crisp, cracker-like cookies make a delightful homemade gift.

Don't be intimidated by the recipe, although it involves dough and double baking, it's actually uncomplicated. I've never made biscotti and was a little nervous, but the technique was surprisingly simple. Be sure to read the recipe carefully before you begin to bake.

The recipe makes a large batch so I gave some to my grandfather and his girlfriend, and served the rest with wine and salami at an informal dinner party. To fill your house with a marvelous, comforting smell, bake these and read more

Spring

What Would You Make?

Here's the scenario: you are at home and hungry.

Here's the scenario: you are at home and hungry. You have to cook up something scrumptious for you and your boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse/child/friend, but have limited ingredients on hand.

You have eggs, fresh chives, and a new pepper-mill filled with black peppercorns. Using these products, along with whatever you currently have on hand in your cupboard and refrigerator, what would you make?

To see what I would make, read more

Quiz

Pepper Pop Quiz!

Last week I told you about the ESPN reporter who accidentally ate the world's hottest pepper.

Last week I told you about the ESPN reporter who accidentally ate the world's hottest pepper. I shared it because I thought it was a fun food tid-bit, but little did I know that November is actually National Pepper Month! We've already got the funny part of hot peppers out of the way, so now I thought I'd test your knowledge. How well do you know pepper (both black pepper and hot chile peppers)?

Source

Take the Quiz
Off to Market

Off to Market Recap: Pepper Grinder

Last night, the soup I made was a little off in the seasonings.

Last night, the soup I made was a little off in the seasonings. I'm pretty sure it's because my new kitchen doesn't have a pepper grinder! My kitchen is far from being complete, but I can't function one more day without freshly ground black pepper. Luckily I asked you to help me find one. You scoured the internet for a pepper grinder that is easy to turn when hands are wet, and grinds a good amount of pepper with each turn. You saved the mills in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Pepper Grinder.

I really love the lime green pepper mill that gruaig_rua discovered, but I haven't decided the color scheme for my new kitchen yet. That's why I think this classic stainless steel pepper grinder — also found by gruiag_rua — is perfect instead. It's functional, but fashionable and will fit into any kitchen's decor.

Take a look at all the fabulous finds by scrolling to the right below.

For more on the bookmarking function please refer to geeksugar's helpful how to.

Off to Market

Off To Market: Pepper Grinder

Last night was the first night I felt settled into my new apartment.


Last night was the first night I felt settled into my new apartment. By settled I mean I finally unpacked my kitchen! Desperate to learn my way around the new kitchen, I decided to treat myself to a delicious and tasty meatloaf sandwich. As I was whipping up a quick basil mayonnaise, I reached for the pepper grinder only to realize I do not have one!!! Can you help me find an awesome pepper grinder? Look for one that is easy to turn when hands are wet and grinds a decent amount of pepper with each turn. Bookmark the pepper mills in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Pepper Grinder. Good luck, I can't wait to see what you discover!

For more on the bookmarking function, please refer to geeksugar's helpful how to.

Not sure where to start surfing? Check out a list of my favorite online stores, just read more

Poll

Do You Cook With Freshly Ground Black Pepper?

Do You Cook With Freshly Ground Black Pepper?

Nutrition

The Magical Peppercorn

Black pepper comes from the berries of the pepper plant which are picked and then left to dry (that's why they look all shriveled up).

Black pepper comes from the berries of the pepper plant which are picked and then left to dry (that's why they look all shriveled up). Black pepper, green pepper, and white pepper actually come from the same plant - the different colors represent different stages in development.

Black pepper stimulates the taste buds in such a way that it alerts your stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, therefore improving digestion - consuming pepper can prevent heartburn and indigestion.

Black pepper is known as a carminitive - it helps prevent gas. It also promotes sweating and urination.

Salt's buddy has also been shown to have significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which are important for fighting disease and maintaining overall good health.

The outer layer of the peppercorn stimulates the breakdown of fat cells, keeping you slim while giving you energy to burn.

Wow - black pepper is magical.

Fit's Tips: Check out this electric pepper grinder from Williams-Sonoma. It even has a light so you can see how much pepper is on your food. It's a great gift idea for the pepper lover in your life (cost is $60).