What is it?

About as common as salt and pepper on the tables of pizzerias across the country, crushed red pepper flakes are exactly that: dried and crushed red chile peppers, often hot with a pungent, smokey flavor.

Don’t have it?

In some cases you can substitute red chile powder (not to be confused with chili powder, a mixed seasoning) or hot paprika.

Recipes

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  Recipe

  鸡肉汉堡和李me, Pepper, and Pickle

  Who knew a burger could taste so light and bright? Lime zest and juice as well as fresh cilantro and red bell pepper brighten this one beautifully. Don’t leave off…

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  Recipe

  Green Tomato BBQ Sauce

  Here’s a great unblended barbecue sauce meant for passing at the table. This is terrific with sticky Korean-style beef short ribs.

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  Recipe

  Hot Pineapple BBQ Sauce

  This sauce is designed for passing, unblended, at the table, ideally with poultry and pork. If you feel like serving it on beef, add a tablespoon of finely chopped ginger…

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  Recipe

  Dad’s Vinegar BBQ Sauce

  This is an almost direct version of my Dad’s hot sauce and is the barbecue sauce we proudly use in my restaurant One Flew South. It’s a light, tangy concoction…

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  Recipe

  Mango Slaw with Cashews and Mint

  Shredded napa cabbage, red pepper, matchsticks of mango, fresh mint, and thin slices of red onion hang out in a lime and rice-vinegar dressing, then get topped with toasted cashews.…

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  Recipe

  Lemon and Garlic Green Beans

  This remarkably simple, bright side is quick to prepare.

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  Recipe

  Hash-Brown Breakfast Casserole

  The bell peppers, onion, ham, and cheese in this dish call to mind a Denver omelet. But instead of serving the hash browns on the side, they’re combined with the…

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  Recipe

  Orzo with Shrimp, Tomato, and Marinated Feta

  The combination of shrimp, feta, tomatoes, and pasta is one that I love. I return to it time and again for easy one-pot suppers. Orzo is the little pasta that…

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  Recipe

  Caponata-Style Braised Eggplant with Couscous

  Eggplant caponata is a vegetarian main course that offers the balanced acidity and sweetness of the classic condiment. Served with couscous and a fresh mint, tomato, and cucumber salad, it…

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  Recipe

  Braised Chicken Legs with Black Vinegar, Ginger, and Shiitake

  The vinegar braising liquid cooks down to a mellow sweetness, bright with ginger and the woodsy umami of shiitake. This dish is perfect with jasmine rice and a glass of…