Recipe: Aromatic Pepper

I learned this aromatic pepper mix in France many years ago. It is a truly amazing flavor enhancer that can be used instead of black pepper to give complex hits of spicy and aromatic flavors to a dish. Mixed with some salt and a pinch of sugar, it makes a great dry rub for beef, lamb, pork, and game.

Makes about a third of a cup. The recipe can be scaled up.

• 2 tablespoon black peppercorns
    • 2 tablespoon white peppercorns

    • 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns

    • 1 teaspoon allspice

    • 1 teaspoon coriander seed

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients together. Fill a peppermill with the mixture and grind as needed.

To read Sally Schneider's genius use of this mixture in a dessert, click here for the story.
Sally Schneider writes The Improvised Life, a lifestyle blog about improvising as a daily practice. Her cookbook The Improvisational Cook is now out in paperback.