Recipes with black pepper

Crispy flour-dredged soft-shell crabs served on a pool of creamy tomato sauce with creme fraiche, cumin seeds, celery seeds, garlic, and shallots. A restaurant-worthy crab dish with a make-ahead sauce.

Old-time beef stew simmers floured chunks of stew meat with carrots, potatoes, and a secret splash of lemon juice and a pinch of allspice. Stovetop in 3 hours or crockpot all day.

Cream of curried corn soup blended silky smooth with chicken stock and half-and-half, garnished with popcorn. Sweet corn meets warm curry in every spoonful.

Pennsylvania Dutch dandelion salad with a warm bacon and cream dressing made from eggs, vinegar, butter, and sugar. A classic spring foraging recipe.

Pan-fried beef liver with onion rings and apple slices, smothered in a dark pan gravy with hot paprika. Old-fashioned liver and onions with a sweet apple twist.

Veal pot roast (veau dans le chaudron) with garlic-studded veal shoulder braised with whole potatoes and onions in a cast iron pot with no added liquid. The meat makes its own gravy.

Tuscan-style duck ragu for pappardelle with boneless duck, pancetta, chicken livers, porcini mushrooms, rosemary, and white wine. A rich, slow-simmered Italian meat sauce.

Roasted rack of lamb seared then oven-finished to a rosy medium-rare, served over greens with a fresh mint and balsamic vinaigrette. An elegant, restaurant-worthy main built on a simple pan sauce.

Spicy cranberry pork chops with whole-berry cranberry sauce, raisins, brown sugar, orange juice, and cinnamon. A sweet-tart microwave pork chop dinner.

Fresh herb turkey loaf with oats, egg whites, red bell pepper, celery, parsley, and basil. A lighter take on meatloaf that's leaner and packed with vegetables.

Greek beef pita pockets stuffed with seasoned patties made with oregano, cinnamon, and red wine vinegar, topped with cucumber, lettuce, and a cool yogurt mint sauce.

Stir-fried asparagus with shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and oyster sauce in a light bouillon-cornstarch glaze. A quick Thai-inspired vegetable side dish ready in minutes.

Crabmeat supreme casserole with two pounds of crab in a buttery sherry cream sauce with mushrooms, pimentos, and a cracker crumb topping. An elegant make-ahead dish.

Taco chicken grill marinates oven-baked chicken in a tangy taco-spiced barbecue sauce with molasses and tomato, then finishes over coals with melted Monterey Jack. Two-stage cooking for fall-off-the-bone tender meat with a smoky crust.

Hearty skillet cornbread loaded with creamed corn, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. Baked in a preheated cast iron pan for a crispy bottom and savory Italian twist.

Rotini pasta salad Nicoise-style with chicken, white beans, artichoke hearts, and a Dijon lemon vinaigrette. A hearty, protein-packed cold salad for summer.