791 hot pepper recipes

Eggplant au gratin with sauteed mushrooms in a creamy bechamel sauce, topped with Parmesan bread crumbs and broiled golden. A rich French-style vegetable casserole.

Slow cooker chicken drumsticks diable simmered in a sweet-and-spicy tomato sauce with chili powder, dry mustard, Worcestershire, and a hit of hot sauce. Spooned over spaghetti for an easy weeknight dinner.

Salmon mousse with capers and whipped cream set in a fish mold, served with sour cream dill sauce. An elegant no-cook appetizer for parties and holiday entertaining.

Spicy chicken tacos with seared chicken strips, fresh jalapeño, cumin, and hot salsa wrapped in warm corn tortillas. A 35-minute weeknight skillet dinner with customizable heat and classic taco garnishes.

This is an Asian twist on a French appetizer. Caul fat can be ordered from your local butcher.

Basic peanut-style dipping sauce (no actual peanuts) with cashew butter, tahini, coconut milk, lime, miso, and ginger. A richer, Thai-leaning satay sauce for grilled skewers, coconut shrimp, or crudités.

Sausage-stuffed mushrooms: caps filled with hot Italian sausage seasoned with fennel and red pepper, bound with a creamy bechamel, studded with olives and topped with Parmesan, then baked until bubbling and browned. A standout party appetizer.

No-cook spicy ginger noodle sauce with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, chili oil, and fresh cilantro. Just whisk and toss with cold or warm noodles for an instant meal.

Ginger-loaded tofu stir-fry with tree ear mushrooms, green peas, and a sweet-sour vinegar finish. A quick Chinese vegetarian wok dish with earthy, bold flavors.

Thai red curry beef with coconut milk, fish sauce, baby corn, and green peas, garnished with sweet basil. A quick, aromatic curry served over jasmine rice.

Broiled crab melts on Melba toast rounds with lime, green onion, and hot mustard, topped with bubbling Swiss cheese. A two-bite appetizer for parties, ready in 20 minutes.

Cheeseburger pizza on a biscuit dough crust topped with seasoned ground beef in cream of cheddar soup, mustard, tomatoes, mozzarella, and garnished with pickles and olives. Ready in 30 minutes.

Cajun crawfish tails and smoky tasso sautéed with the holy trinity, mushrooms, and garlic, finished with white wine and butter. Serve over rice or pasta for a quick bayou-worthy supper.

Crispy bread-cup croustades filled with baby shrimp in a Swiss cheese sauce with lemon zest and Worcestershire. Makes 3 to 4 dozen freezer-friendly party bites.

BBQ shrimp marinated 24 hours in a spicy sauce of chili sauce, Worcestershire, hot sauce, garlic, and lemon, then skewered and broiled. Bold New Orleans-style flavor.

Appetizers have long been a part of the culinary tradition in Europe, but they're relatively new to America. One of the first to appear in American cookbooks, at the turn of the century, was shrimp cocktail.