porcupine Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Found some Balinese long pepper at WF today, and couldn't resist buying it. I know I've had it before, but I can't think of where, when, or even in what dishes. Any suggestions for recipes that would really showcase this unusual spice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcanuck Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I remember this from the Zingerman's catalogue we recently received. Here's their suggestion for it: "Ben Ripple, our Balinese salt and long pepper connection, told me that one of his favorite dishes to make is salt-roasted baby potatoes spiced with long pepper, chopped red chiles and lemongrass." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Prior to the 16th century long pepper was commonly used, and sometimes used interchangeably with black pepper. It appears frequently in historical recipes; for more information I refer you to the books of Cindy Renfrow. Nowadays it's rather uncommon; I know some brewers who searched long and hard for it about a decade ago and ended up finding it only in the Vedic section of an Indian grocery. If you do choose to recreate a historical recipe, find out first if the spice proportions have also been adjusted for modern cooks. Prior to the invention of the locomotive, spices like long pepper typically spent months or years in transit to Europe, being rain-washed along the way, and were so weakened on arrival that European recipes ended up using them in relatively massive doses. I've heard that with pepper, you should start at no more than 5% of what is literally called-for, and then adjust...often downward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 If you do choose to recreate a historical recipe, Not really what I'm interested in doing, but thanks for the info. Modern recipes will do quite nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthitch Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Not really what I'm interested in doing, but thanks for the info. Modern recipes will do quite nicely. The long pepper has a fruitier taste than regular pepper, and less heat. I use it like regular pepper, but mostly for dishes where the pepper is supposed to stand out. I really like it on alfredo, but not so much with Carbonara. The long pepper has a fruitier taste than regular pepper, and less heat. Because of the flavor profile, I do not like to cook with it, and use it only to finish a dish. As an example, in the past I have tried to use it on steak before I grill it, but it was lost on the crust, but when I have grated it over the top of a freshly cooked steak it creates a lovely change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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