Black pepper has an aroma as well as a bite
The idea
Black pepper can add a fragrant edge to a dish before its heat becomes the main thing you notice. Freshly ground pepper and pepper that has been sitting in an open container may not give the same experience. The useful question is what a little pepper contributes to the food already on the plate.
A practical next step
Season a small portion first when experimenting. Taste it before adding pepper to the entire dish.