Pepper Garlic Toasted Almonds Recipes

ROASTED RED PEPPERS WITH CHORIZO, MANCHEGO, AND ALMONDS (SPAIN)

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Put the peppers on a broiler pan and broil them until they are black on all sides. Remove them from the broiler, put them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes, then remove the plastic wrap and let them cool. Using your fingers scrape off all the black char from the outside of the peppers; use a paper towel if needed to assist with this. Remove the stem and seeds and cut the peppers into 1/2-inch wide strips.
• While the peppers are cooling, heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and coat the bottom with olive oil. Add the chorizo and cook until it is crispy on all sides. Remove from the pan to a cutting board and finely chop.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the garlic, and pimenton. Season with salt, to taste. In a large bowl toss together the roasted peppers, chorizo, almonds, arugula, and a little of the vinaigrette. Add the vinaigrette in stages to make sure the veggies are well coated but not overdressed. Taste to check the seasoning. Arrange on a pretty serving dish and sprinkle with shaved manchego and scallions. OLE!!

PEPPERS WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• 1 Stand the peppers on a cutting board. Holding the stem in one hand, place the cutting edge of a large heavy chef's knife just beyond the edge of the cap. Cut straight down. Turn the pepper 90° and cut straight down again. Repeat, turning and cutting the remaining two sides. Discard the core, seeds, and stem, which will be in one piece. Cut away any membranes and scrape out any seeds. 2 In a large skillet, cook the garlic with the oil over medium heat, pressing the garlic once or twice with the back of a spoon. As soon as it is lightly browned, about 4 minutes, discard the garlic. 3 Add the peppers to the pan. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes. 4 Add the tomatoes and water. Cook until the sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes more. 5 Stir in the capers, anchovies, and almonds. Taste for salt. Cook 2 minutes more. Let cool slightly before serving. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ROASTED RED PEPPER, ALMOND, AND GARLIC DIP

Steps:

• Very finely chop almonds in processor. Add roasted peppers, vinegar, and garlic; process to coarse puree. With machine running, pour olive oil through feed tube and process until puree thickens slightly. Season dip to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl. (Dip can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

PEPPERS WITH ALMOND-GARLIC BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• Pulse almonds, bread, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and stir in parsley, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• Put half of peppers, alternating colors, in an oiled 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle with half of almond mixture. Repeat layering and bake until hot and crumbs are golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND ALMOND DIP

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir almonds until toasted and fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Combine toasted almonds and mayonnaise in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add roasted red peppers, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper; process until desired consistency is reached, scraping down the sides as needed.

TOASTED GARLIC ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small frying pan.
• Add the crushed garlic clove, try to keep it whole as it makes it easier to take out later. Fry the clove for a few seconds for the oils to release then add the rest of the ingredients.
• Stir the almonds until they are golden brown. Discard the clove and enjoy the almonds!