Flash Fried Shishito Peppers With Sea Salt Recipes

FLASH-FRIED SHISHITO PEPPERS WITH SEA SALT

Steps:

• Fill a deep heavy pot with 3 to 4 inches of oil. The oil should not fill the pot by more than one third. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fat thermometer reads 350°F. Add a big handful or two of peppers to the oil and immediately cover the pot with a lid to avoid splattering. After about 10 seconds, carefully remove the lid and give the peppers a quick stir. Continue to cook with the lid off for another 10 seconds or so, until the peppers are blistered and beginning to color. Remove from the oil and drain on a clean paper paper bag. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle generously with salt. Serve them fresh and hot as you continue to cook more.

SAUTéED SHISHITO PEPPERS: SUMMER'S BEST NEW BITE

Steps:

• Here's what you do. Heat a little olive oil in a wide sauté pan until it is good and hot but not smoking. Add the peppers and cook them over medium, tossing and turning them frequently until they blister. They shouldn't char except in places. Don't rush. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to cook a panful of peppers. When they're done, toss them with sea salt and add a squeeze of fresh lemon. Slide the peppers into a bowl and serve them hot. You pick them up by the stem end and eat the whole thing, minus the stem, that is.
• You can probably do fancier, cheffy things with them, but they're terrific like this. For variety, I sometimes use a little toasted sesame oil instead of olive oil and finish them with togarashi. If you have leftovers, an unlikely event in my experience, chop off the stems and put the peppers in an omelet or some scrambled eggs.