Black pepper blooms with small white flowers collected in hanging ears. The fruits of black pepper are spherical drupes with a hard shell, having a burning taste.
The birthplace of black pepper is the southwest coast of India, the current state of Kerala. Previously, these lands were called the land of pepper, and pepper itself was called the Malabar berry.
How to Choose Black Pepper?
When choosing ground black pepper, you should pay attention to the taste and color of the grinding. Fresh seasoning is always sharp and has a strong aroma, as it contains a large amount of piperine and essential oils. The color of high-quality ground pepper is heterogeneous, it consists of particles of light brown, greenish and gray shades. A uniform yellow, gray or black color indicates a large amount of impurities that manufacturers sometimes add to reduce the cost of goods. The black color of ground pepper may also indicate the use of unripe or rotten peas.
How to Store Black Pepper?
Ground pepper is recommended to be stored in a dry and dark place, away from strongly smelling products. Essential oils evaporate especially quickly from the finely ground seasoning, therefore, so that it does not lose its taste qualities, it should be kept in a hermetically sealed container. The room temperature should not exceed +25 °C.
When to Use Black Pepper?
Black pepper is one of the most effective digestive stimulants. This versatile seasoning is able to decorate any dish, starting from ordinary scrambled eggs and ending with masterpieces of haute cuisine. Food manufacturers add this spice to meat and sausage products, cheeses, canned food and marinades.
Spice is a mandatory component of most recipes of meat and fish dishes. It is added to soups and second courses of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and also used in the preparation of homemade sausage, ham and pates. Seasoning perfectly complements dishes of mushrooms and vegetables, no brine or marinade can do without it. Somewhat less often, black pepper is added to drinks and desserts.
How Much Black Pepper Should I Use?
A standard-sized teaspoon holds about 4 grams of ground black pepper.
When preparing soups and broths, ground pepper is added 10-15 minutes before the end of cooking. When cooking fried dishes, pieces of meat or fish are sprinkled with pepper and salt before roasting. Seasoning is added to the raw minced meat during the stirring process.
The amount of spice depends on the intended volume of the dish and personal preferences.
It is usually customary to use from ¼ to 1 teaspoon per 1 kg of meat. The maximum dose of ground black pepper per day per person should not exceed 5 grams.
What Spices are Combined with Black Pepper?
Despite the fact that in the mind of any person, the phrase “salt and pepper” evokes an image of perfect harmony, a truly wonderful combination is obtained by mixing ground black pepper with turmeric. Curcumin, which is part of it, is similar in its action to piperine — it is also an antiseptic, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent.
Black pepper is perfectly combined with most spices, and is part of all popular mixes. It harmonizes well with cumin, garlic, coriander, as well as with its closest “relatives” — white, green and pink pepper.
Alternatives to Black Pepper
With individual intolerance to ground black pepper, it can be replaced with spices that have a similar bitter taste — cumin, mustard, coriander seeds, nutmeg. To make the dishes spicy, in the absence of allergies, you can use chili — paprika, cayenne, jalapeno.
Tips for Using Black Pepper
In combination with cinnamon and ginger, ground black pepper is added to desserts to give them a spicy taste. It is especially appropriate for the preparation of gingerbread and cupcakes, chocolate desserts, pies with apple and citrus filling, cookies.
This spice will give a peculiar taste to well—known drinks – it is added to milk tea, compotes, mulled wine and alcoholic cocktails.
To create a light, spicy salad dressing, ground pepper is mixed in various combinations with natural yogurt, honey, mustard, vinegar or lemon juice.
I suggest another pizza option! Dough with spinach, white cream sauce and shrimp is an interesting and harmonious combination! Juicy pineapple fits perfectly into the overall picture) this pizza is for those who love fluffy soft dough, crispy crust and juicy filling! Original for a festive table! Try this!
A delicious and light snack option for the festive table. Processed cheese rolls with mushroom filling are prepared very quickly and simply. They taste tender and satisfying. This portion of snacks will appeal to everyone without exception. It can be prepared in advance and served as needed.
I highly recommend cooking this very quick recipe. It’s just an explosion of taste! The chicken turns out to be very festive, bright, tasty, juicy, unusual and very, very New Year’s. And it turns out an incomparable sauce that will enrich any side dish.
The roll with cucumbers, onions and cheese turns out juicy, tender, with a piquant taste. Cooking is a pleasure when there is little time, but I want to please my loved ones.
Meat rolls are always a welcome snack on the table. The holidays are coming, and we will prepare for them. I have a roll with a simple vegetable filling. Vegetables and pickled cucumber make the roll piquant, juicy and rich in taste, the presence of beetroot attracts attention, beautiful and appetizing. I made several rolls with different fillings, and this one, with beetroot, was eaten first.
This poultry roll is made in the manner of Italian porchetta, which is traditionally made from pork. If you want more roll, take a turkey breast; a smaller chicken will do! The role of the “crust” here will be performed by the bacon covering the roll. Definitely, this roll can become a decoration of the festive table. And, at the same time, in cold form it is suitable as a snack. Pesto sauce makes slicing very attractive and delicious!
Do you have different fish, just one at a time? And you are wondering what to cook?! I find a way out by combining different fish with one marinade-side dish.