Hot Chilli Lemon Paste Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Finely zest 2 of the lemons and set aside. Trim the tops and bottoms off the other 2 lemons and cut lengthwise into quarters; remove seeds. Thinly slice the quarters crosswise into triangles. Blanch the lemon pieces in the boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to a dish towel. Blot dry.
• In the boiling water, add pasta and cook until just barely al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over high heat. Add the dried lemon pieces and season with a pinch each of salt and sugar. Cook until the lemons are caramelized and browned at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Melt the butter with the remaining oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the chile flakes and zest of both lemons; cook until fragrant. Whisk in the reserved pasta water.
• Toss in pasta, juice of 1 lemon, cheese, pepper and the remaining salt. Cook until pasta is well coated with sauce. Toss in the caramelized lemon and the celery leaves and parsley if using. Taste and add lemon juice if needed. Serve, topped with a drizzle of oil, more cheese if you like, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Steps:

• If you are using dry chilies, soak them in a bowl of boiling water until they have softened, about an hour; then drain the soaked chilies and prepare as usual.
• Process all ingredients in a blender or food processor, adding oil a little at a time until mixture becomes smooth and pasty and of the right consistency (How much oil you use really depends on the size of your chilies).
• Store refrigerated in an airtight container, covering the top of the paste with a little bit of oil.

Steps:

• Wash chillies and remove stalks (Note: Use rubber gloves).
• Cut chillies in half lengthways.
• Wash and cut lemons into quarters.
• Crush garlic and finely chop ginger.
• Put all above ingredients into food processor and blend in batches until paste consistency is as desired, adding small amounts of oil if dry.
• In a heavy based pan cover bottom with oil and heat to medium high, when a small amount of paste is dropped into the oil it should sizzle.
• (Note: only cook chilli in well ventilated area as fumes are strong).
• Add paste to hot oil, add salt and stir constantly.
• As soon as paste turns from red to orange (about 3 - 4 mins) remove from heat, stir and allow to cool.
• Once cool put into sterilised jars and top with oil so that there is a thin layer of oil on top of paste and refrigerate.
• In cool weather this can be stored in a cupboard.

Steps:

• Put chiles in a bowl and cover with boiling water and a small plate to keep them submerged. Soak for about 30 minutes, or until soft. Reserve a bit of the soaking water. Clean each chile: remove stem, then pull or slit open; do this over sink, as they will contain a lot of water. Scrape out seeds, retaining some if you want a hotter paste.
• Put chiles, any seeds you might be using, the oil, a large pinch of salt and the garlic, if you are using it, in a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth, adding a spoonful of soaking water at a time, until consistency is a thick paste.
• Use immediately or cool, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to two days. Just before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.