Budget-Friendly a large red pepper Recipes – Save Money, Eat Well

Cooking with a large red pepper doesn’t have to be expensive. Try these cheap, tasty, and filling recipes.

Recipes with a large red pepper

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Stir-fried pickled mustard greens with minced pork (a perfect Hunan dish to eat with rice)

Stir-fried pickled mustard greens with minced pork is a staple at Hunan restaurants—almost every table orders it. The bright green pickled mustard greens are coated in fragrant minced pork, mixed with the slight spiciness of diced red peppers. It's crisp and chewy, with a savory and delicious flavor. It's so good with rice that you can easily eat two large bowls; it's a universally acknowledged "rice-eating king." Going to a Hunan restaurant and not ordering it is like not truly experiencing the authentic flavors of Hunan cuisine!

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Sweet and spicy dry tempeh

This Sweet and Spicy Dry Tempeh offers a harmony of textures: tempeh fried until dry and crispy combined with peanuts and crispy anchovies—each bite delivers a satisfying crunch. The sweet touch of brown sugar and sweet soy sauce blends with the warmth of spices like shallots, garlic, and fresh chilies, then enhanced by the distinctive aroma of bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal. The slowly thickening sweet and spicy spices coat the tempeh, peanuts, and anchovies with layers of flavor full of character: fresh, warm, spicy, and sweet in one unforgettable deliciousness—perfect as a companion to warm rice or a delicious snack anytime.

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Sauce-infused, incredibly satisfying big bone to gnaw on.

The moment these braised pork ribs are placed on the table, the aroma is absolutely divine, far surpassing those restaurants that claim to have "secret family recipes"! The bones are stewed until tender and flavorful, the meat practically falling off the bone. Each bite is a delightful experience, the savory sauce layering and unfolding in your mouth, leaving even the bits of flavor lingering between the bones. The glossy reddish-brown sauce is incredibly tempting, each piece coated in a rich, flavorful broth. One bite, and the aroma of meat mingles with the fragrance of spices—pure bliss! Eating a piece like this outside would easily break the bank, leaving you no room to indulge. But making it at home, for the same price, you can buy several pounds of bones, stew a full pot, and enjoy it to your heart's content. You can even use the leftover broth to stew noodles and cabbage—the value is unbeatable. This down-to-earth delicacy is universally praised; you'll crave it after just one bite, making even the restaurant's "secret recipes" pale in comparison!

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Tomato Sambal with Dried Shrimp

Imagine the deep red color radiating from perfectly caramelized chilies and tomatoes, releasing a fresh, spicy, and slightly sweet aroma that instantly awakens the appetite. When the first bite hits your tongue, the strong savory sensation of dried shrimp adds a rich dimension to the flavor—salty, crumbly, yet delicate with hints of the sea. The textures are balanced: the melted tomatoes blend intimately with the warm aroma of spices and chilies, while the shrimp flakes provide a crunchy surprise and flavor with each bite. The aroma of kaffir lime leaves and bay leaves creates layers of fragrant aromas that are both soothing and refreshing. This sambal isn't just a side dish—it's the soul of the dish. Perfect with warm rice, fried foods, or fresh vegetables, it transforms each dish into a captivating and characterful experience.

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Braised pork ribs with potatoes

This dish of "Braised Pork Ribs and Potatoes" is simmered over low heat with rock sugar and a variety of sauces, giving the ribs a bright red color and tender meat. At the same time, the potatoes that are fried until slightly golden absorb the rich sauce, making them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a rich taste. The finished dish exudes the sweet aroma of sauce and the fresh fragrance of onions and garlic, and is very delicious when eaten with rice; however, the simmering time must be properly controlled, otherwise the ribs or potatoes will lose their ideal taste due to being heated for too long.

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Stir-fried bracken with bacon.

Forest flavor: The bracken is taken from the forest, and the bacon has a smoky aroma. This name summarizes the unique flavor of the dish with the breath of the forest.

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Shredded Chicken Serundeng

grated coconut fried to a golden hue blends harmoniously with the tender shredded chicken. Each piece of serundeng brings a balance of sweetness from the brown sugar, a touch of sourness from the tamarind juice, and the warmth of the spices—shallots, garlic, red chilies, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and coriander—that permeate throughout. The fragrance of lime leaves, galangal, and lemongrass envelops the overall aroma, creating an alluring tropical fragrance. The flavor is a dance of textures: crunchy, savory, and fragrant, with layers of complex flavors—sweet, savory, spicy, and fresh—perfect for accompanying warm rice or as a relaxing snack. This dish redefines a classic, remaining familiar yet leaving a deep flavor trail.

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Stir-fried beef brisket with peppers (Hunan cuisine)

I usually don't braise or stew beef brisket, but this time, I changed things up. This stir-fried beef brisket is incredible! The brisket is stewed until tender and flavorful, then sautéed with red and green chilies and minced garlic. The aroma is breathtaking, and the juices burst forth from every bite. The tendons are soft and springy, with a uniquely chewy texture. The spicy flavor blends perfectly with the brisket's meaty aroma, making it even more fragrant the more you chew. The rich broth, mixed with rice, can fill two large bowls! Even simple white rice becomes incredibly appetizing with this dish. Every bite of beef brisket is infused with the flavor of the seasoning, creating a satisfyingly spicy and fragrant flavor. You can't stop eating! This is a true king of home cooking, and it's so satisfying!

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Curry Beef Brisket

Both of my sons love to eat beef brisket. In the past, I would have a headache whenever I thought of stewing beef brisket, because firstly, it would take a long time to stew, and secondly, it might not be stewed until it was tender. Later I discovered that the pressure cooker is the key to stewing beef brisket. It can stew the beef brisket until it is soft, and beef brisket has become our home-cooked dish. The secret to making curry beef brisket tender and with a curry flavor is to stew it twice.