Ingredient: Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Chopped Salad al Tonno

How To Prepare
Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic powder and pepper in a large bowl. Add romaine, tomatoes and olives; toss to coat. Add tuna and toss again.

Middle Eastern Lamb Stew

How To Prepare
Place lamb in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Mix oil, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and pepper in a small bowl. Coat the lamb with the spice paste and toss to coat well. Top with onion.
Bring tomatoes, broth and garlic to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour over the lamb and onion. Cover and cook until the lamb is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on low.
Skim or blot any visible fat from the surface of the stew. Mash 1/2 cup chickpeas with a fork in a small bowl. Stir the mashed and whole chickpeas into the stew, along with spinach. Cover and cook on high until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
TIPS & NOTES
Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the stew, omitting the spinach, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Add spinach after the stew is reheated. | Prep ahead: Trim lamb and coat with spice mixture. Chop onions. Combine broth, tomatoes and garlic. Refrigerate in separate covered containers for up to 1 day

Mexican Potato Omelet

How To Prepare
1
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and cook until golden brown, shaking the pan and tossing the potatoes from time to time, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chiles and transfer to a plate. Wipe out the pan.
2
Blend egg whites, hot sauce, and pepper with a fork in a medium bowl. Stir in scallions, cilantro (or parsley) and the potato mixture.
3
Set a rack about 4 inches from the heat source; preheat the broiler.
4
Brush the pan with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil; heat over medium heat. Pour in the egg mixture and tilt to distribute evenly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the bottom is light golden, lifting the edges to allow uncooked egg to flow underneath, 3 to 4 minutes. Place the pan under the broiler and cook until the top is set, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Slide the omelet onto a platter and cut into wedges according to your portion size

Ultimate Beef Chili

How To Prepare
Season beef with pepper. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with another 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and remaining beef.
Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pot. Add onions and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Add garlic, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, paprika and oregano. Stir until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
Add beer and simmer, scraping up any browned bits, for about 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, bay leaves and reserved beef. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beef is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Add beans; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Adjust seasoning with pepper.

Tuna Steaks Provenal

How To Prepare
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a wide saucepan over medium heat. Add peppers, onions and garlic and sauté until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, fish stock (or water) and wine and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, over high heat until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in rosemary and season with pepper.
Meanwhile, brush both sides of the tuna steaks with remaining 1 teaspoon oil and season both sides lightly with pepper. Heat an ovenproof, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until almost very hot. Sear the tuna until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the fish is opaque, about 10 minutes. Place the tuna on individual plates and spoon the tomato mixture on top.
TIPS & NOTES
Tip: To peel & seed tomatoes:
1. Before you start, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place a large bowl of ice water next to the stove. Using a sharp paring knife, core the tomatoes and score a small “X” into the flesh on the bottom.
2. Place the tomatoes in the boiling water, in batches, until the skins are slightly loosened, 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes to the ice water and let sit in the water for 1 minute before removing.
4. Peel the tomatoes using a paring knife. Halve them crosswise and scoop out the seeds with a hooked finger.

Seared Scallops with Brandied Leeks Mushrooms Seared Scallops with Brandied Leeks Mushrooms

How To Prepare
1
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to give off liquid, about 3 minutes. Stir in leeks; cook, adjusting heat to prevent scorching, until the vegetables are very tender and the leeks are starting to brown, about 8 minutes. Add brandy (or vermouth) and broth; cook until reduced and thickened, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in sour cream, parsley, pepper to taste. Cover and set aside.
2
Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallops and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. To serve, place some of the leek-mushroom mixture on each plate and top with scallops.