Italian Yellow Pepper Puree Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500F degrees.
• Lightly oil a baking pan.
• Halve and seed the peppers and place them cut side down on the baking pan.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the skins begin to wrinkle and the peppers become a deeper golden color.
• While the peppers roast, warm the olive oil in a soup pot and saute the onions, carrots, and celery for about 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned.
• Add the water, potatoes, salt and bay leaves, cover and bring to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender When the peppers are roasted, place them in a covered bowl.
• When cool enough to handle, slip off their skins and add the peppers to the soup pot.
• When the potatoes are tender, remove the bay leaves.
• In batches puree the soup in a blender until smooth and thick.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Reheat gently, if needed.
• Serve topped with parmesan cheese.
• Also goes well with toasted bread with Parsley Pesto.

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.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet or heavy casserole over medium heat. Add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes, and add the garlic and peppers. Add a generous pinch of salt, and cook, stirring often, until the peppers have softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, basil sprig, salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat, about 10 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer another 15 to 20 minutes (or longer), stirring occasionally until the mixture is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Remove the basil sprig, and put the peppers and tomatoes through the fine blade of a food mill, or puree in a food processor and press through a strainer. Return to the pan, and keep the sauce warm while you cook the pasta.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously, and add the pasta. Cook al dente, following the timing instructions on the package but checking a minute before the indicated cooking time. Stir 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water into the sauce, then drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Serve with Parmesan or grated ricotta salata.

Steps:

• Roast and peel the yellow peppers, following the instructions in step one of recipe for roasted red pepper puree. Cut the peppers into cubes and set aside.
• Put 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan and add the shallots, garlic, rosemary and wine. Bring to a boil and cook down by half.
• Add the cream and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring often with a wire whisk, about 10 minutes.
• Blend the flour with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter. Add to the sauce, stirring with a whisk.
• Put the yellow pepper cubes into the container of a food processor or, preferably, an electric blender. Blend as thoroughly as possible. Scrape the puree into the sauce and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the vine-gar, salt and pepper. It is not essential but, ideally, the sauce should be put through a fine sieve, preferably the sort called a chinois.