something that packs good heat and flavor has been Thai Dragon for me. very decent production, at least 200 plus pods, about 3-4" long. I usually let the peppers turn dark red on plant and then I air dry them, then use chopper to make crushed pepper. This season I bought Thai Dragon F1 hybrids and hope they turn out nice.

Here are some of my tried & true lighter fare recipes. Kung Pao Chicken Adapted from a recipe found in Cooking Light 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided 4 cups broccoli florets 1 red pepper, cut in strips 2 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/4-inch strips 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 1 T ground ginger (or shredded fresh ginger) 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons cornstarch 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped salted peanuts Preparation Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli to pan; sauté 1 minute, add pepper strips and water. Cover; cook 2 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from pan; keep warm. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in pan; add crushed red pepper, and chicken. Cook 4 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Combine broth and next 6 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl, and stir with a whisk. Add broth mixture to pan; cook 1 minute or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Return broccoli mixture to pan; toss to coat. Sprinkle with peanuts, serve over rice. Yield: 4 servings My notes: Really easy and on the table in 30 minutes! Not super spicy. Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream 1 lb fresh white fish (tilapia, halibut or haddock work well) 1/2 c sour cream 1 tsp chipotle in adobo, finely chopped 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 c onion, finely chopped 1/2 c chopped tomato 3 T snipped fresh cilantro 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 T butter 1 tsp finely shredded lime peel 1 T lime juice 4 9\-10 inch flour tortillas, warmed Fresh lime wedges Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, chipotle & 1/8 tsp salt. In another bowl, combine onion, tomato & cilantro. Set aside. In small bowl, stir together garlic, cumin, 1/2 tsp salt and cinnamon. Rub mixture evenly over both sides of the fish. In a 12 inch non stick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add fish, cook 3 minutes. Turn fish and cook 2 minutes more. Break fish into bite size pieces, sprinkle with lime peel and juice. Cook 1\-2 minutes more or until fish begins to flake. Remove from heat. With slotted spoon remove fish from pan and discard liquid. To serve, fill each tortilla with 1/2 c fish mixture, and 1/4 c onion mixture. Top each with 2T of the chipotle sour cream , fold in half or roll up. Serve with lime wedges ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Steak With Marsala Sauce From "Eat and Stay Slim" cookbook 1 lb boneless beef sirloin steak cut one inch thick Cooking spray 1 c sliced fresh mushrooms 1/2 c sliced onion, separated into rings 1/3 c dry marsala wine 1/4 c water 2 T snipped parsley 1/2 tsp instant beef boullion granules Dash ground pepper Trim separable fat from steak. Place steak on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 3 inches from heat for 5 minutes, turn and broil 3\-7 minutes more or until done to your liking. Meanwhile spray a medium saucepan with cooking spray. Preheat the pan over medium heat, add mushrooms and onions. Cook and stir until tender. Stir in marsala, water, parsley, beef boullion and pepper. Boil gently, uncovered, for about 4 minutes or until liquid is reduced to about 3/4 cup. To serve, slice steak, serve sauce over slices. Yield 4 servings Linda

From my "Essentials of Finer Chinese Cuisine" cooking class: SIMPLE VEGETABLE FRIED RICE Master Recipe 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 eggs, beaten 1 slice (cross) fresh ginger root 4 mushrooms, diced 2 cups cooked rice ½ cup bean sprouts, coarsely chopped ½ cup frozen peas, thawed ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon white pepper 1 stalk green onion 1 tablespoon soy sauce Rub rice with wet hands so all grains are separated. Heat ½ tablespoon oil in wok over medium heat and add eggs. Cook and stir until soft curds form. Remove from heat and break eggs into small pieces. Heat remaining oil in wok over high heat and add ginger and mushroom; stir-fry for 15-30 seconds. Add rice and toss until heated through. Add sprouts, peas, salt, pepper, green onion, soy sauce, and cooked eggs. Toss just to heat. VARIATIONS: Chicken fried rice -- after cooking eggs, put in small dices of ½ chicken breast (boneless, skinless); remove from wok before adding ginger and mushroom and return with sprouts, etc. Eliminate sprouts. Shrimp fried rice -- put in 2-4, coarsely chopped shrimp (as you would the chicken) and add 1 tablespoon fish sauce or oyster sauce. Eliminate sprouts. Santa Maria style (with linguica, chicken, shrimp) -- cook Linguica (1/2 small link, diced), chicken (1/4 chicken breast), shrimp together (2, chopped). Season with 1 teaspoon SM-style seasoning (eliminate salt and pepper). Eliminate sprouts. Sub chicken stock for soy sauce. Add 1 teaspoon (more?!) Tabasco. Toss in 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro just before serving. VELVET CORN SOUP WITH CRAB MEAT 1 cup Crabmeat 1 slice Fresh ginger, minced 2 tsp Cornstarch 1 Tbs Sherry 3 cups Chicken broth 1 cup Sweet corn, cream style 2 Eggs, separated; yolks lightly beaten, ONE white stiffly beaten 1/4 tsp Salt 1/4 tsp White Pepper Marinate the crab meat in the ginger, sherry, and cornstarch for 30 minutes. Heat the chicken stock. Add the corn and bring to boil. Add the crabmeat mixture and again bring to a boil. Turn heat down and gently stir in the egg yolks, then fold in the egg white. Serve immediately. Garnish with chopped cilantro and/or finely chopped green onion. "LIONS HEAD" (MEATBALLS) 1 pound lean ground pork 4 ounces shrimp, shelled, de-veined, chopped ¼ cup sliced water chestnuts, finely chopped 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, minced 1 stalk green onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon dry sherry ½ teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 whole egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons peanut oil SAUCE 1-½ cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 head Chinese (Napa) cabbage (1-1/2 pound) 3 tablespoons cold water 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1. For meatballs, combine all ingredients except oil in large bowl and mix well. Divide mixture into about 12 portions and shape into balls. 2. Heat peanut oil in hot wok over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs, shaking or stirring occasionally so meatballs brown on all sides and keep their shape, 6 to 8 minutes. 3. Transfer meatballs to a larger stockpot or deep saucier pan. Add chicken broth and soy sauce. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 5-10 minutes. 4. While meatballs are cooking, core cabbage, remove hardest stems, and cut leafy tops in half. (Save hard leaf bases for another dish.) Place leafy tops over meatballs and simmer 5 minutes more. 5. Use slotted spoon to transfer cabbage and meatballs to serving platter, meatballs on top. Blend cornstarch, water, and sesame oil in small cup. Stirring constantly, slowly add cornstarch mixture to pan juices; cook on high heat until slightly thickened. Pour sauce over meatballs. Garnish with thin sliced green onion and/or whole stems of cilantro ("Chinese Parsley"). Ground turkey can be used in place of the pork. Use 2/3 pound turkey and 1 cup cooked white rice. Also add a touch more soy sauce. CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE 1 Tbs dry sherry 4 tsp soy sauce, divided 5 tsp corn starch, divided 1 tsp sesame oil 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halves, cut into bite-size pieces 1 Tbs black bean sauce (or just chopped "fermented black beans" and 1 clove garlic, minced) 1 tsp fresh ginger root, sliced ½ cup chicken broth 1 Tbs oyster sauce 3 Tbs peanut oil, divided 1 lb asparagus spears, trimmed and diagonally cut into 1-inch pieces ¼ small red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 8 wedges and separated 2 Tbs water 1. To make marinade, combine sherry, 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch, and the sesame oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and stir to coat well. Let stand 30 minutes. 2. Combine chicken broth, bean sauce, remaining 2 teaspoons soy sauce, the oyster sauce, and the remaining 3 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl; mix well and set aside. 3. Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in wok over high heat. Add chicken and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside, covered. 4. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in wok. Add asparagus, bell pepper and onion and stir fry 30 seconds. Add water, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender; about 2 minutes. 5. Return chicken to wok along with chicken broth mixture (stir well before adding); cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens. CHINESE BANANAS FOSTER WITH COCONUT CARAMEL 2 small bananas, sliced crosswise 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted ("sweet") butter 1 tablespoon flour 4 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 small pieces candied ginger root, thinly sliced ½ teaspoon orange zest 3/4 cup coconut milk 1 pint Vanilla ice cream (or butter pecan) Melt butter in large sauté pan. Add flour, brown sugar, candied ginger root, and cinnamon. Add banana pieces and turn often until they JUST start turning soft. Add coconut milk and stir until smooth. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, then simmer 2 minutes longer. Serve over ice cream. From "Low Country, Up Scale" (for Chinese food with a twist): CATFISH AND BLACK BEAN SAUCE Ingredients: 1 Tbs dry sherry 4 Tbs soy sauce 5 tsp cornstarch, divided 1 tsp sesame oil 3 large catfish fillets, cut into 1" cubes (or about 2 lbs of "nuggets") 1 Tbs black bean sauce 1 tsp fresh ginger root, minced 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced ½ cup chicken broth 1 Tbs oyster sauce 5 Tbs peanut oil, divided 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1" 1 medium yellow onion, cut into wedges 2 Tbs water Directions: For marinade, combine sherry, 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch, and the sesame oil in a large bowl; mix well. Add catfish and turn to coat well. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine bean sauce, ginger, and garlic; chop together. Combine chicken broth, remaining two teaspoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and the remaining 3 teaspoons corn starch in a small bowl; mix well and set aside. Heat two tablespoons of the peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add half the catfish and toss gently until catfish turns opaque (about three minutes). Remove the cooked catfish from wok, add another two tablespoons of oil and heat the other half of the catfish. Remove cooked catfish and set all catfish aside. Heat remaining one tablespoon of oil in wok. Add asparagus and onion and stir-fry for 30 seconds to one minute. Add water, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender (about 2 minutes). Return catfish to wok. Stir chicken broth mixture and add to wok. Cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens. BANANA EGG ROLLS 8 4-inch egg-roll wrappers 2 medium ripe bananas 8 tsp apricot-pineapple jam/preserves About 1 cup oil for frying (3 parts vegetable oil and 1 part peanut oil is best) Slice bananas crosswise and then lengthwise to get four long quarters. Spread each wrapper with jam/preserves. Place banana quarter in center of each and roll up like an egg roll. Heat 2 inches of oil in saute pan on medium. Deep fry 3-4 at a time until golden. Cut each egg roll at a slant at the midsection and serve with vanilla ice cream and a good drizzle of Island Chocolate Ganache: Island Chocolate Ganache: Ingredients: 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup heavy cream 1 Tbs dark rum Directions: Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in the rum. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring. Joe

Ruthanna, your sauces sound sooooo good! I tend to do mine simply like Ginger...I'm usually in a hurry but, they taste good! 2 chicken breast halves; cut into thin strips Salt & pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger 1 medium onion; sliced 2-inch pieces 1 medium red or yellow bell pepper; sliced 1 large carrot julienne cut 1 cup cut asparagus or broccoli 3 tablespoon canola oil 1/2 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons light soy sauce 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 red or green onions (scallions); sliced 2 tablespoons toasted peanuts (or cashews) Garnish with chopped parsley (optional) 2 cups cooked rice or rice stick noodles Slice chicken into bite-size pieces; season with salt, cayenne and ginger; refrigerate until ready to use. Clean and cut all vegetables and grate ginger. Stir together broth, soy sauce and cornstarch and set aside. This will be quick so begin cooking 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat; add oil and stir the ginger into the chicken and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until done. Remove the chicken and add onion, bell pepper, carrot and asparagus for 2 or 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Add the chicken back to the pan along with the stock mixture and continue until sauce thickens. Sprinkle with sliced onions and toasted nuts along with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with or without cooked rice or noodles Marilyn