Charred Pepper Pesto Recipes

CHARRED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Pick the thyme leaves, peel the garlic and drain the peppers.
• Gently toast the thyme leaves and nuts until they start to colour, then blitz with the peppers and garlic.
• Season with sea salt and black pepper, then add the cheese and enough oil until you've got a good pesto texture.

POBLANO PESTO

Steps:

• Char the poblano peppers on top of a gas burner, on a grill, or under the broiler) until all of the sides are blackened. Place in a bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap, allowing the steam to help loosen the skin. With your fingers or a spoon, scrape and discard the blackened skin then remove the seeds and core. Coarsely chop the poblanos, and place into a mini food processor. Add the Parmesan, cilantro, garlic, chili powder and oil and process until well combined, but not totally smooth. Taste and season with salt.

CHARRED PEPPER AND SAUSAGE HERO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place the peppers directly on a gas flame. Char on all sides until the skin burns. Refrigerate to cool quickly, 10 to 15 minutes. Place on a flat surface and open, seed, peel and discard the skin. (I use a kitchen towel to wipe the skin away. Don't rinse the peppers under water, as it washes away flavor.) Slice the peppers into 1/2-inch slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and the sugar. Set aside.
• Split the sausages lengthwise. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Arrange the sausages cut-side down in a single layer in the oil. Sprinkle with salt. Cook, flipping once sausages with tongs, so each one browns hard on both sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the onions and fresh garlic with a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring from time to time with a wooden spoon, until the onions soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the peppers and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. Add the vinegar, granulated garlic, oregano and some Parmesan and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning.
• While the onions are cooking, spread butter on the cut sides of the rolls, then sprinkle with some crushed red pepper flakes. Toast on a griddle over medium-low heat until lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stuff the rolls with some of the pepper-onion mixture, then top with the sausages, some more pepper-onion mixture and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve.

GIANT COUSCOUS SALAD WITH CHARRED VEG & TANGY PESTO

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a bowl, toss the beetroot, onions and peppers together with the oil, then spread out on a large roasting tray lined with baking paper and roast for 35 mins. Scatter over the cherry tomatoes, then return to the oven for 10 mins more until the tomatoes have softened and the vegetables are tender.
• Meanwhile, cook the couscous following pack instructions, then rinse and drain. To make the pesto, put the coriander and half the parsley in a bowl with the garlic, chilli, cumin, vinegar, oil and 25g of the pine nuts. Add 2 tbsp water, then blitz with a hand blender until smooth or use a small food processor.
• Toss the roasted veg and chopped parsley through the couscous and pile on the pesto, then scatter with the remaining pine nuts. If you're following the Healthy Diet Plan, serve half of the salad immediately then chill the rest for another day.