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 think everyone knows the famous fast food chain where they prepare delicious baked potatoes with different fillings. Russian soul loves potatoes, nothing can be done. And perhaps no picnic is complete without baked potatoes on the coals or on the grill. I suggest a recipe in the style of “potato crumbs” with a salad of homemade sausage, cheese and pickles. I assure you, these potatoes will be eaten faster than a barbecue at a picnic!
Toast in homemade breadcrumbs with cutlet and cheese is a closed sandwich, a recipe for a hearty and quick cooking. These toasts can be taken on a picnic and grilled. If at home, then cook in a frying pan or in an electric grill.
I will say right away that I will stuff the peppers in an unusual way. I stuff them with a filling of ground Turkey and vegetables with rice, add olives. Peppers can be prepared at home and take with you on a picnic, or take semi-finished products and bake them in nature in foil in coals. It’s up to you. They are good and hot and cold.
A bran bun with a natural Turkey cutlet and an original decoration in the form of physalis is a great option for a picnic! Delicious and nutritious – very wonderful! Physalis can be replaced with cherry tomatoes.
Pepper stuffed with Turkey and baked in foil is delicious, healthy and dietary. You can cook at home and take with you on a picnic, or you can bake on coals or grill in nature. The recipe is universal, like a cold appetizer or a hot dish.
This version of shish kebab is suitable for cooking in the oven. After all, picnics can be not only in nature. But also at home, for example, on the balcony or on the carpet in front of the TV. If you suddenly want a barbecue at home – this simple recipe will always help out!
Rolls baked in bacon with Turkey breast fillet and Brussels sprouts. Picnic rolls are cooked on the grill. Fragrant and beautiful, they will serve as a great snack. Both hot and cold are good.
I offer wonderful balls of minced Turkey with mozzarella. The balls are quickly prepared, they are obtained with a crisp crust, with a delicate cream-cheese center. These balls can be served as an appetizer with sauce, or you can serve with any side dish. It is also convenient to take with you to nature.