Starting Fresh

• If you want to keep your peppers crispy through the cooking process, it is imperative that they start out that way. Fresh peppers that haven't been sitting around for an extended period of time will be firm and crunchy, so keeping them that way will be less challenging. If possible, keep your peppers whole until just before you intend to use them. Then, you can core them and slice them however you need them for your dish.

Add Near the End

• If you are making a stir-fry, omelet or similar dish that's cooked in a pan with several different ingredients, hold off on adding the peppers until near the end of the cooking. Sauces that include diced peppers can follow the same strategy. Cook the ingredients that require thorough cooking and time it so the added peppers are just the consistency you want when the rest of the dish is completed. You can also slice your peppers and then add them to a pizza for the last two to three minutes of baking to keep them crispy.

Keep a Close Eye

• It's easy to start off your cooking project with the best of intentions, then become side-tracked with other business after those peppers go into the pan. Life doesn't stop just because you have peppers cooking that you want to remain crisp, so try your best to keep a close eye on the pot or pan after they go in. If you have misjudged your heat level or there is more moisture in the pan than you thought, they could move from crisp to soft in a hurry. When stir-frying, try not to overcrowd the pan or the peppers may steam and become soggy. You can stir-fry them separately, then add them to the finished dish to ensure your peppers have a crunch.

On the Grill

• For peppers with a smoky, grilled flavor that still have their crunchy texture, core them, cut them into quarters, brush them lightly with vegetable oil and toss them on the grill. Turn your grill to medium and place the quartered peppers directly over the heat. Leave them alone for three to five minutes, then flip them over and grill for another three to five minutes. Remove them when they have browned, but before they have softened. Serve the tender-crisp peppers however you like.