Red Pepper

[aeiou]

Is there a difference in the strength of ground red pepper versus crushed red pepper? I prefer the ground because I like to taste the seasoning without actually biting into the pieces of seasoning.

 

[Mama Mangia]

I sometimes prefer the ground myself in certain recipes!

 

[muffinman]

I think cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper come from the same pepper plant. Since cayenne pepper is ground, a little goes a long way.

I like to use crushed red pepper in marinades, soups, and stews. It works well with anything with some liquid in it to soften the pepper and let the taste of the pepper blend into the meal. It's not too hot then, unless you add too much.

 

[Mama Mangia]

Ground red pepper is made from just that - a red pepper (chilie) ground.

Red pepper flakes are a combination of several different chilies instead of just one chilie.

 

[DrPepper]

Both of those peppers are definately hot. I like to add them to foods where you wouldn't think of adding pepper, such as omelets or scambled eggs where I'd use cayenne so it blends in, or stews, where crushed red pepper fits just right. I try not to add too much heat and am just looking for a change of taste.

A little crushed red pepper would go great in a spaghetti or sloppy joe sauce to change the meal a little from the last time I made it.

 

[khartman]

Speaking of spaghetti sauce with red pepper, ainjel posted her spaghetti sauce recipe today that uses crushed red pepper, and quite a bit of it.

I often sprinkle crushed red pepper into chili, and tomato based pasta sauces. Sometimes I add a little red pepper to homemade Italian dressings as well as store bought Italian salad dressings.

 

[aeiou]

Dr. Pepper check out my recipe for home made macaroni and cheese (in what's for dinner) it uses a dash of red pepper and it tastes great. I like your idea of adding it to sloppy joes, I will have to try that the next time I make them.

 

[alice.b.toklas]

Here's the link to the Macaroni and Cheese recipe by aeiou for everyone.

I hear some people add 2 tbsp of white wine to their macaroni and cheese for a different taste.

 

[Upennmama]

But pepperoncini is different than the ground stuff, right?

 

[Mrs. Chipotle]

Pepperoncini is the pickled banana peppers, right?

 

[Mama Mangia]

Pepperoncini are a Tuscan pepper called sweet Italian peppers and also known as golden Greek peppers. The peppers grown in Tuscany are not as sweet as the ones grown in Greece. They are picked when they are 2 to 3 inches long - grown longer and they turn red as they mature. The ones you buy in the jar for salads are usually the Greek ones - mild but with a little heat to them.

 

[mtmomj]

I prefer to use ground while I am actually cooking - but if I put something on my dinner afterwards, it is always the crushed.

 

[Mama Mangia]

They are known as Tuscan peppers, sweet Italian peppers, and golden Greek peppers. The Italian varieties, grown in the Tuscany region of Italy, tend to be more bitter than their Greek counterparts. The more popular Greek varieties are sweeter and commonly found in pizzerias tossed in salads for a crunchy, salty taste. They have a bushy plant that grows to 30 inches tall and producing sweet green peppers that turn red when mature. Usually picked at 2 to 3 inches long, these bright red, wrinkled peppers taper to a blunt, lobed end and are very popular for pickling. These peppers are mild and sweet with a slight heat to them, and are commonly jarred for use in Greek salads and salad bars.

 

[lcsamano]

I love peppercinis especially with pizza or salad. As for the ground red pepper this is probably the best way to use red pepper instead of the crushed. The only time I use the crushed red pepper is when I use it as a garnish.