Charred Peppers Recipes

DRY RUBBED HANGER STEAK WITH SMOKY AIOLI AND CHARRED PEPPERS

Steps:

• For the steak: Place the steaks on a parchment-lined sheet pan. In a small bowl, mix the mustard powder, paprika, salt, chili powder and pepper. Sprinkle the mixture all over the steaks. Let sit at room temperature for 2 hours.
• Make the charred peppers: Heat a large braiser or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until searing hot. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss the baby bell sweet and shishito peppers with the olive oil, habaneros, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Add the pepper mixture to the braiser and lower the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until charred in spots and tender but still with some bite, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Make the vinaigrette: While the peppers are cooking, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, pickled peppers, vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Once the charred pepper mixture is cooked, add them to the vinaigrette along with the quartered pickled peppers. Toss to coat well and set aside.
• Make the aioli: In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, pepper brine, cherry peppers, paprika, garlic and salt to taste. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Cook the steaks: Preheat a grill pan or grill over medium-high heat. Cook the steaks on the grill pan or grill, flipping only once, for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare or until an instant-read thermometer registers between 120 to 125 degrees F. Allow the meat to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Slice the meat against the grain to ensure tenderness. Sprinkle with the basil, chives and thyme. Serve with the charred peppers and smoky oli.

ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SOY, SESAME AND CHARRED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pour the olive oil into a baking sheet and top with a single layer of eggplant slices. Turn to coat both sides with the oil and sprinkle liberally with salt. Place in the center of the oven and roast until completely tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and arrange in a single layer on a serving platter.
• Place the peppers directly on the burners of a gas range or grill and char on all sides, rotating with a pair of tongs. Remove from the heat and place them in the refrigerator to cool, 10 minutes. Use a paper towel to wipe off the charred skin. Remove the seeds and slice the pepper flesh into thin strips. Arrange over the top of the eggplant.
• Whisk together the soy, ginger, sesame oil, vinegar and garlic in a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning. Sprinkle the vinaigrette over the eggplant and peppers and top with the sesame seeds.

CHARRED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Build a hot fire. Wood is ideal, charcoal a good second. The rack shouldn't be more than 3 to 4 inches from the fire, and you can start the peppers just as the flames begin to die down; there will be no flare-up.
• Put the peppers on the grill without crowding too much. As they blacken, turn them so they char on all or at least most surfaces. As they finish, transfer to a bowl, where you can pile them up. (There is no need to put them in a paper bag, as you may have read.)
• Let cool. Peel and seed, using as little water as you can to rinse remaining seeds and skin from the peppers. But don't be too compulsive: a few seeds and bits of skin are fine. Also, the closer to whole the peppers remain, the more attractive they are.
• Serve, dressed with olive oil, and salt if desired. Lemon juice won't hurt; neither will capers or anchovies. These will keep, refrigerated, for at least a week.

PICKLED HOT CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Trim cherry pepper stems. Divide peppers, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns among 2 quart-size and 1 pint-size sterilized glass jars.
• Bring vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until sugar dissolves. Pour hot pickling liquid over peppers, leaving 1/4-inch headspace at tops. Can in water bath for 15 minutes.

SWISS CHARD AND RED PEPPER GRATIN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil while you clean the chard. Fill a bowl with ice water. Strip the leaves from the stalks, but hold onto the stalks. Wash the leaves in several rinses of water. When the water comes to a boil add the chard leaves. Blanch for about 1 minute, just until tender. Using a skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer immediately to the ice water. Let sit for a few minutes, then drain, squeeze out water and chop medium-fine.
• Preheat the oven to 375º F. Brush a 2-quart baking or gratin dish with olive oil.
• Trim both ends off the chard stalks, then dice. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the diced chard stalks, diced red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, for 5 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender. Add the garlic, stir together for a minute or so, until the garlic is fragrant, and stir in the chard. Stir together for 30 seconds to a minute, just to blend the mixture and coat the chard with oil. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Beat the eggs and milk together in a bowl. Stir in the chard mixture, the cheese, rice and thyme. Stir together, taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Transfer to the baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top and drizzle on the remaining oil.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until firm and browned on the top. Remove from the heat and cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. You can serve this warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED OR GRILLED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the peppers on the foil and bake in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, using tongs to turn the peppers every 10 minutes. The peppers are done when their skin is brown and puffed. It won't be black the way it is when you grill them.
• Transfer the peppers to a bowl. Cover the bowl with a plate or with plastic, and let sit for 30 minutes, until cool.
• Carefully remove the skins, then, holding the peppers over the bowl so no juice escapes, separate into halves or quarters and remove the stems, seeds and membranes Cut into strips if desired, and place in another bowl. Strain in the juice. If storing for more than a day, toss with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to use. If you wish, toss with the optional ingredients shortly before serving.
• Using a Burner: Light a gas burner and place the pepper directly over the flame. As soon as one section has blackened, turn the pepper, using tongs, to expose another section to the flame. Continue to turn until the entire pepper is blackened. Place in a plastic bag and seal, or place in a bowl and cover tightly. Allow to sit until cool, then remove the charred skin. You may need to run the pepper briefly under the faucet to rinse off the final bits of charred skin. If so, pat dry with paper towels. Cut the pepper in half, holding it over a bowl, remove the seeds and membranes, and store as instructed above.
• Using the broiler: Preheat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Place the baking sheet under the broiler at the highest setting. Turn the peppers every 3 minutes or so, until uniformly charred. Proceed as above. Using a grill: Place on a grill directly over hot coals and turn as each side becomes charred and blackened. When the entire pepper is charred, remove from the grill and proceed as above.