5 exciting uses for black pepper

This list of five delectable recipes will prevent you from ever taking black pepper for granted again.

1. For a more complex-tasting gingerbread, try adding some freshly ground black pepper. Here's a simple recipe. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). In a large, heavy pot, melt 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) unsalted butter over medium heat. Remove the pot from the heat and add 125 grams (1/2 cup) of sugar, 250 millilitres (one cup) of dark molasses, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of brown mustard, 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) of instant coffee granules and two eggs, and beat the mixture with a whisk until smooth. Add 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of ground ginger, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of freshly ground black pepper, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of ground cinnamon, two millilitres (1/2 teaspoon) of ground ­allspice and 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) of baking soda. Stir everything together again until well-blended. Mix in 305 grams (2 1/3 cups) of all-purpose flour and beat for 30 seconds. Mix in 250 millilitres (one cup) of boiling water then scrape the batter into a greased 23 centimetre (nine inch) square baking pan. Bake until the ­gingerbread is springy and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with just a few crumbs clinging to it, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then invert the pan and remove the gingerbread from the pan. Invert again and cool it right side up. Serve the gingerbread warm or completely cooled with ice cream or whipped cream.
2. To make a fruit punch taste livelier, add a few grindings of fresh black pepper.
3. For homemade nut brittle with a bit of zip, stir a bit of cracked black pepper into the ­mixture before it hardens.
4. For one of the simplest of toppings you can put on fresh sliced strawberries, add sweetened whipped cream then a few grindings of fresh black pepper. The pepper blends ­perfectly with the cream.
5. To make fruit tarts stand out from the crowd, toss the fruit with some sugar and a grinding of fresh black pepper.

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