Lemon Red Pepper Confit Recipes

MARTHA'S LEMON CONFIT

Steps:

• Bring a medium stockpot of water to a boil. Place a 1-quart canning jar in the boiling water for 5 minutes to sterilize. Place jar on a wire rack, upside down, to dry.
• Pour a layer of salt into the bottom of the jar. Quarter a lemon, starting at the end, but leaving the uncut end intact. Open the lemon over a small bowl, and pour some salt inside. Place the lemon in the bottom of the jar. Continue process with the remaining lemons. Be sure to use all of the salt, including any salt that remains in the bowl. Pack the lemons into the jar, and covering each layer of lemons with salt. Seal the jar, and refrigerate.
• The lemons can be used after 1 month, but they are best after 3 months and will keep for up to one year.
• To use the confit, cut the lemon quarters apart. Cut away all the flesh from the rind; discard the flesh. Dice or julienne, and add to salads, stews, or grain dishes.

SPICY RED-PEPPER AND EGGPLANT CONFIT

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut peppers into 1-inch pieces. Toss together all ingredients in a large roasting pan, then spread evenly. Roast, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, about 1 hour. Cool before serving.

LEMON CONFIT

Steps:

• Slice lemons 1/8-inch thick. Layer half the lemons slices and shallots in a pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of salt. Repeat layering process with remaining ingredients. Cover the pan with plastic wrap making sure the plastic touches the top layer of lemons. Leave the pan overnight or up to 48 hours. Rinse the lemon slices and use as you would preserved lemons. Keep refrigerated up to a week.

RED ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat oil over low heat in a medium saute pan. Cook the onions, stirring often, until very soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add wine, vinegar, water, and sugar, and raise heat to medium. Cook uncovered for about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

CHICKEN AND BELL PEPPER WITH ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat 3/4 cup oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté 3 minutes. Add all bell peppers, garlic, thyme, and sugar; sauté 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until vegetables are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes longer. Drain confit and cool; discard cooking oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Puree 1/2 cup bell pepper mixture, lemon juice, and 5 tablespoons olive oil in blender until smooth. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Bell pepper confit and sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Coat in flour; shake off excess. Sauté chicken in skillet until golden, about 1 minute per side. Transfer skillet to oven and bake chicken until cooked through, turning once, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rewarm bell pepper confit over medium heat. Stir sauce over low heat just until heated through. Spoon bell pepper confit onto 4 plates.
• Slice chicken diagonally and place atop bell peppers. Drizzle sauce around chicken and serve.

LEMON-RED PEPPER CONFIT

Steps:

• Cut peppers into thin strips. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots, and cook until they begin to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add red peppers, wine, salt, and pepper. Cover, and cook until wine is almost absorbed, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove lemon zest in long thin strips, and set aside. Use a small, sharp knife to cut away pith. Remove lemon sections by sliding the knife down one side of a section, cutting it away from the white membrane. Twist blade under section to lift it out. Remove all sections, cut them in half, and add to peppers along with zest. Toss to combine, and serve.