Portillos Green Pepper Recipes

ITALIAN FRYING PEPPERS - 3 DELICIOUS WAYS TO COOK

Steps:

• Start by rinsing peppers under cold water.
• If you decide to cook them whole simply skip to the next step. Otherwise using a small sharp knife cut of the top with the stem. Remove the seeds. You can speed up cleaning process by cutting the top part a quarter of an inch lower from the stem. This helps remove the seeds faster.Rinse peppers again in cold water to remove any remaining seeds.
• In a large pan add generous amount of extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves and peperoncino. Cook for 2-3 minutes. At this point you can add a couple of anchovies (optional) and stir until dissolved.
• Add Italian frying peppers (whole or previously deseeded).
• Cook on high heat for a few minutes then reduce to medium and cover with a lid. Cook for about 15 minutes or until tender.
• Peppers should release enough juice while in the pan but feel free to add some water if the pan is getting too dry.
• Once peppers are cooked add basil leaves, a splash of vinegar (see notes) and salt to taste. Give another good stir. Let vinegar evaporate and turn the heat off.
• Serve with freshly ground black pepper or top them with crumbled feta cheese.

HOT ITALIAN GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• Place into a bowl the green and red peppers, jalapenos, celery, carrots, onion, and cauliflower. Stir in salt, and fill with enough cold water to cover. Place plastic wrap or aluminum foil over the bowl, and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, drain salty water, and rinse vegetables. In a bowl, mix together garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and olives. Pour in vinegar and olive oil, and mix well. Combine with vegetable mixture, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days before using.

PORTILLO'S ITALIAN BEEF (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Render the beef fat by chopping it into small bits (about the size of peas) with a food processor. Be sure the fat is very cold--it will chop better. If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the fat by hand. Use a sharp knife and cut it as small as you can. Heat up the fat in a sauté pan over medium heat until the bits are browned. Strain the solids from the fat and measure 1/4 cup of fat for the gravy.
• Make the beef gravy by combining all of the ingredients, including the beef fat, in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the mixture begins to boil reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then turn the heat to low.
• Make the sandwiches by heating up the rolls in the hot oven for 3 minutes.
• For each sandwich, drop 1/4 pound of sliced beef (separate the slices) into the gravy for 2 minutes. Make sure the gravy isn't boiling. It should be around 180 degrees F. After the beef has soaked in the gravy, use tongs to arrange the beef on a warmed sandwich roll and top with your choice of hot giardiniera or sweet peppers. Or both. Spoon on some extra gravy just before serving.

AUTHENTIC CHILI VERDE (PORK AND GREEN TOMATILLO STEW)

Steps:

• In a large stock pot over high heat sear the pork in the vegetable oil until browned.
• Remove the pork from the pot, reserve 3 tablespoons oil in the pan.
• Saute the chopped onion and garlic seasoned with salt and pepper in the reserved oil until onions are tender.
• Add the cumin, then stir in pork and chicken stock.
• Simmer for 1/2 hour.
• Add in poblanos, jalapenos and bell peppers.
• Puree the tomatillos and cilantro in a blender, and add them to the pot.
• Cook for an additional 30 to 45 minutes.
• Serve with Mexican/Spanish rice and refried beans.