Red Pepper Puree Recipes

PASTA IN THE PINK WITH RED PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°.
• Bring 5 quarts of water to a boil in a big pot.
• Halve the peppers, remove the seeds, and puree them in a blender; you should have about 1 cup puree.
• In a big bowl, combine all the ingredients except the pasta and butter.
• Parboil the pasta for 4 minutes; drain and add to the ingredients in the bowl; tossing to combine.
• Divide the pasta mixture among 6-8 individual, shallow, ceramic gratin dishes (1 ½ to 2 cups capacity).
• Dot with butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, about 7-10 minutes.

RED PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Place peppers under high broiler, 3 inches from heat, turning until they blister and lightly blacken. Or hold over gas flame with long-handled fork, until blistered and lightly blackened.
• Place peppers in a plastic bag for 5 minutes; remove, peel and seed.
• Puree in food processor until smooth. Add salt and pepper

ROASTED RED PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Roast and peel the peppers over a gas flame or under a broiler. Cook, turning the peppers as they start to char. They should be charred on all sides, top and bottom. Remove the peppers and drop them into a paper bag. Let stand until cool enough to handle or peel them under cold running water. Discard the peel. Cut away and discard the core and veins. Scrape away and discard the seeds.
• Cut the flesh of each pepper into cubes and put the cubes into the container of a food processor or, preferably, an electric blender.
• Add the wine, vinegar, salt and pepper. Blend as thoroughly as possible. Pour and scrape the mixture into a saucepan. Bring to the simmer, stirring, before using.

SWEET RED PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Combine pepper pieces and other ingredients in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, cover and cook over medium heat for approx 15 minutes.
• Drain.
• Place ingredients in a blender and process until mixture is smooth.
• Serve over steamed rice, green beans or spread on toasted Italian bread.

RED PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Line a roasting pan with enough foil to fold over the top later. Place the peppers in the pan, and roast, turning the peppers about every 10 minutes. Roast until the peppers collapse, about 40 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, fold the foil over the peppers and allow them to cool.
• Working over a bowl to catch the peppers' liquid, remove and discard the core, skin and seeds.
• Place the pepper pulp in a food processor with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and turn on the machine; drizzle the oil in through the feed tube. Stop the machine, taste and add additional salt or olive oil, if necessary. Store, well covered, in the refrigerator for several days, or in the freezer for up to a month.

ROASTED RED PEPPER PURéE

Steps:

• Puree all ingredients in processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)

ROASTED RED PEPPERS WITH YELLOW PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Keep the peppers whole and roast over an open flame or under a broiler; steam inside a paper bag and peel; see any of the roasted red bell pepper recipes posted on this site for more detailed instructions if needed.
• Core all the peppers, but keep the red ones whole, removing the seeds from the center; set aside.
• Roughly chop the yellow peppers after removing the seeds; puree in a blender with the oil until smooth and emulsified; season with kosher salt and pepper.
• The peppers and puree can be chilled at least 24 hours or serve immediately; spoon the puree onto a serving plate and place a red pepper in the center; sprinkle with sea salt.

RED PEPPER PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500°F. Line a roasting pan with enough aluminum foil to fold over the top later. Put the bell peppers in the pan and the pan in the oven. Roast, turning the peppers about every 10 minutes, until they collapse, about 40 minutes.
• Fold the foil over the peppers and allow them to cool. Working over a bowl, remove the core, skin, and seeds from each of the peppers, reserving some of the liquid.
• Put the pepper pulp in a food processor with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid. Add a large pinch of salt and turn on the machine; drizzle the oil in through the feed tube. Stop the machine, then taste and add more salt and/or olive oil if necessary. Store, well covered, in the refrigerator (for several days) or the freezer (up to a month).
• Add a couple tablespoons of puree to the cooking liquid of any simmering grain-rice, couscous, or quinoa, for example.
• Use in place of or with tomatoes in pasta sauce. For example, sauté several vegetables and bind them with the puree during the last minute of cooking.
• Fold into omelets or scrambled eggs, with or without cooked vegetables.
• Combine with chopped fresh basil, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and minced garlic for a pestolike pasta sauce.
• Emulsify with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make a beautiful salad dressing.
• Spread on crostini or pizza before baking.
• Use as a finishing sauce for roasted eggplant, zucchini, or other vegetables.
• Serve as a condiment with grilled or roasted fish, meat, or chicken.
• Stir into soups or stews just before serving.
• Mash a couple tablespoons of puree, with a little olive oil, minced garlic, and cracked black pepper, into fresh, salty cheese-like feta or goat-to make a dip for bread or vegetables.