Cracked Pepper

Cracked pepper is a coarsely crushed form of peppercorns, sitting between whole peppercorns and finely ground pepper. It retains a bold aroma and sharp flavour, while dispersing more easily and evenly through a dish than whole peppercorns. It is especially well suited for coating steaks, the classic preparation being steak au poivre. It is also used in marinades, salad dressings, sauces, and soups. The coarsely cracked form can easily be prepared at home using a mortar and pestle or a coarsely set pepper mill. It is noticeably more aromatic than pre-ground pepper.