Mediterranean Salad Of Piquillo Peppers Capers And Basil Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Peel the oranges and separate them into segments. Mix the orange segments with the sugar in a large bowl and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Combine the orange segments, lettuce, olives, tomatoes, green onions, croutons, basil, mint, and vinaigrette.
• Divide the lettuce mixture evenly among chilled salad plates. Top each with cheese and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and olive oil. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, as needed.

PIQUILLO PEPPER SALAD WITH SARDINES AND BASIL

Steps:

• With a paring knife, cut the sardine in half, top to bottom, along the backbone. Arrange the sardines in a single layer, flesh side down, in a shallow dish. Mix together vinegar, oil, orange juice and oregano; pour over the sardines. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let cure in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Drain the sardines from the marinade, cut into chunks, and toss gently with piquillo peppers and capers. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with basil. Serve with plenty of grilled flat bread.

SOLE ROULADE WITH BLACK OLIVE PASTE, ROAST PEPPER, CAPERS AND BASIL

Steps:

• Roast 2 lightly oiled and seasoned red peppers in a saute pan on the bottom of a 400 degree oven. Turn every few minutes until all sides are fairly charred, about 12 minutes. Place peppers in a plastic bag to loosen skin. When cool, peel and discard stem and seeds. Cut into sections about 4 inches by 1 1/2 inches. Place each sole filet, whiter side down on, on cutting board. Cover with double layered plastic wrap and pound lightly with the smooth side of a mallet or heavy knife to thin out fish some without tearing it. Spread black olive paste lightly onto each filet, and lay down one red pepper strip per filet. Roll each filet fairly tight from thin end (tail) to head (thicker end). Season roulades and poach in 2 ounces white wine, juice and strips of zest of one lemon, capers, tomato juice and 4 ounces cold water. Bring to boil, then simmer covered 10 to 12 minutes. When fish appears cooked whisk in 1 teaspoon olive oil and basil chiffonade. Split roulade along natural divide and serve sole roulade with olive past, roast peppers and capers.

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD WITH OLIVES AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, tomato paste, vinegar, and garlic in small bowl to blend. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Combine tomatoes, fennel, basil, onions, olives, and capers in large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let tomato mixture stand at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours, tossing occasionally.
• Cook penne in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water and drain again. Transfer pasta to large bowl. Pour dressing over and toss to coat. Add tomato mixture and toss to blend.

BLAIR'S FRITTATA WITH TOMATO, ONION, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 8 to 10-inch skillet or saute pan. Add the onion, and cook slowly until the onion is wilted and translucent. Add the hot sauce. Add the tomatoes, raise the heat, and cook for several minutes, stirring, or until the liquid has evaporated. Drain off the fat and transfer the tomatoes and onions to a bowl. (If desired, add well-drained artichoke hearts here.) Mix in salt and pepper, then cheese and basil.
• In a bowl, beat the eggs with salt and pepper until blended, but not smooth. In a well-seasoned 8 to 10-inch skillet (non-stick works well), heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Arrange the tomato and onion mixture in the bottom of the skillet, and pour the eggs over the top, pressing the top down with a fork so the solids are covered. Stir a little. Cook over medium heat until the eggs begin to bubble gently around the edges.
• Immediately place the frittata in the center of the oven and cook until it is puffy and set in the center, about 10 minutes. Slide out onto a serving plate. Serve immediately or set aside and serve at room temperature. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and more hot red pepper sauce.