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?