Charred Peppers Recipes

Steps:

• Build a hot fire. Wood is ideal, charcoal a good second. The rack shouldn't be more than 3 to 4 inches from the fire, and you can start the peppers just as the flames begin to die down; there will be no flare-up.
• Put the peppers on the grill without crowding too much. As they blacken, turn them so they char on all or at least most surfaces. As they finish, transfer to a bowl, where you can pile them up. (There is no need to put them in a paper bag, as you may have read.)
• Let cool. Peel and seed, using as little water as you can to rinse remaining seeds and skin from the peppers. But don't be too compulsive: a few seeds and bits of skin are fine. Also, the closer to whole the peppers remain, the more attractive they are.
• Serve, dressed with olive oil, and salt if desired. Lemon juice won't hurt; neither will capers or anchovies. These will keep, refrigerated, for at least a week.

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.

Steps:

• To make the bean dip: Combine the beans, lemon rind, garlic cloves, chiles and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a 3- to 4-quart pot and add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the beans are very tender. Discard the lemon rind and chile pepper and drain.
• Combine the beans, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor. Season with a couple pinches of kosher salt and black pepper. Puree until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. While the motor is running, drizzle in the olive oil. Adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper, as needed. Reserve in the refrigerator.
• To serve, schmear some white bean dip on a plate. Pile on the Charred Baby Bell Peppers, squeeze on some of the charred lemon and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Season with black pepper and garnish with a sprinkle of flakey salt.
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add the olive oil and swirl it around to coat. When the oil is hot and shimmery, add the peppers and cook, tossing occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes. Place the lemon cut-side down in the skillet and char simultaneously until deeply browned.

Steps:

• Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Spread out walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then crush into large pieces with a flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook peppers, shaking pan and turning peppers occasionally, until skins are lightly charred and flesh is tender, 6-8 minutes. Transfer peppers to a cutting board and let cool slightly. If peppers are large, cut in half lengthwise.
• Combine ricotta and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl; finely grate zest from lemon over and mix well. Season lemon ricotta with salt. Set lemon aside.
• Combine peppers, cucumbers, mint, and half of walnuts in a large bowl. Cut reserved lemon in half and squeeze juice into bowl. Drizzle in 2 Tbsp. oil, season with salt, and toss to coat.
• Transfer pepper mixture to a platter along with any juices in the bottom of bowl. Dollop lemon ricotta over and top with remaining walnuts. Drizzle with more oil and season with black pepper.