Tex Mex Peperonata Recipes

PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and bay leaves and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste turns brick red, about 5 minutes.
• Add the bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and 1 cup water, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer until the peppers are very soft, about 30 more minutes.
• Uncover, increase the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 20 to 25 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the basil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Cook 3 sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat, 1 minute. Add 1 pound stemmed baby bell peppers. Cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Cover and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt; top with chopped oregano.

CHILI-LIME FISH FRY WITH TEX-MEX PEPERONATA

Steps:

• To prepare the peperonata, heat the EVOO in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, jalapeño and bell peppers, and salt and pepper. Sauté until the peppers are crisp-tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cook for 2 minutes, then add the beer or stock and stir for a minute or two more. Top with the cilantro and set aside.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper. Arrange 3 shallow dishes; place the flour in one, beat the eggs in the second, and scatter the bread crumbs in the third. Season the bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon grated lime zest, the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Coat the fish in the flour, eggs, and seasoned bread crumbs.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. If the pan is not large enough to fry 4 fillets, heat the oven to 275°F and place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. As you fry the fish, transfer it to the rack in the hot oven to keep warm. Cook the fish for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until deeply golden and crispy. Season with a little extra salt and top the fish with lots of lime juice and then the peperonata.