Recipes — Peppers

The history of chili pepper begins in Mesoamerica. Mayans use chili for treating infected wounds and gastrointestinal problems other than for its culinary purposes. It has shown that chili pepper inhibits microbial pathogens and capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili that causes its burning sensation and pungency, has analgesic properties.  Chilis are also used as a repellent for rodents such as mice and even elephants. Zambian Farmers deter Elephants by burning blocks of dung and chilis to prevent them from destroying the crop-- this is an effective deterrent to most mammals, except us crazy humans.  For over 6,000 years, humans...

The rainy days are upon us and how best to enjoy it than with a warm bowl of a hearty and filling soup? This black lentil soup is very easy to prepare, tasty, and you can add your leftover meats to enhance the flavor or keep it vegetarian-friendly. Or make it vegan by replacing butter with a plant-based fat of your choice. The cumin and black pepper adds a nice kick to the dish while the cilantro, celery, onions and carrots keep it light and fresh. I like to use dried black beans to this recipe but you can also...

Dried whole chilies make excellent chili con carne and Mexican red chili sauce. Clean, toast, and simmer in chicken stock to make the perfect chili puree or toss in the blender to make your own coarse chili powder.

This week's recipe: Masala Tea (Chai) Masala tea is a traditional Indian drink made by brewing black tea with an aromatic mix of spices and herbs. This fragrant and rich tea is enjoyed around the world—with western versions such as Chai lattes offered in chain coffee shops such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean. You can now enjoy this traditional Indian goodness with this tried-and-tested recipe that I have come to perfect over the past couple of months. Give it a try and make it your own; add and substitute spices until you find a mix that is perfect for you....

This week's recipe: Rosemary & Lemon Chicken Roast Roast chicken is the ultimate comfort food and is my go-to dish whenever I entertain friends at home. This recipe is easy to follow and gives you tender, juicy chicken that’s wafting with the sweet smell of rosemary, lemon and garlic. Ingredients:1 large-sized chicken (about 5 lbs)SaltMilled black pepper1 tbsp dried thyme2 tbsp dried rosemary1 lemon, cut in quarters1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise2 tbsp melted butterOlive oil2 pcs sweet potato2 pcs carrots1 pc red onion Directions: Preheat oven to 215 degrees Celsius. Clean the chicken by removing the giblets, excess...