Is Cayenne Pepper the same as ground red pepper?

[laughsandlaughs]

I am planning to make Bree's Lentil-Tomato Soup tonight and am wondering if the cayenne pepper I have the cabinet is the same thing as the ground red pepper called for?

Help please!!

[JennieL]

I've always wondered the same thing? I don't know the answer, but I always use cayenne when a recipie calls for ground red pepper.

[lisas3575]

here's what Epicurious.com says:

cayenne pepper
[KI-yehn]
A hot, pungent powder made from several of various tropical CHILES that originated in French Guyana. Cayenne pepper is also called red pepper.

[laughsandlaughs]

I should have checked epicurious, they're a fabulous source of information!!

Thanks!

[emilycat]

Just in case you'd like more info, here's a thread addressing the same question. :)

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11625&highlight=cayenne

[Liz K]

I used cayenne pepper in place of the red pepper for the lentil soup and it still tastes great. The tastes I had while it was cooking made me think it was going to be way too spicy (and I like hot things), but after blending the soup it was just right.

[laughsandlaughs]

When I toasted the cayenne in the pot with the other spices before adding the liquid produced such a strong aroma that my husband was coughing in the other room!!

I haven't blended yet...I'll be doing that tomorrow, before dinner tomorrow night.