Piquillo Pepper Mousse Recipes

STUFFED PIQUILLO PEPPERS

Steps:

• For the stuffed piquillo peppers: Pat the peppers with a paper towel to remove any excess brine. Trim the tops of the peppers.
• In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, manchego, chives, honey, lemon zest and juice, paprika, 2 tablespoons of the reserved piquillo brine and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and white pepper. Mix together with a rubber spatula until well combined and smooth.
• Put the mixture in a piping bag or a zip-close bag with a corner snipped off, and pipe it into the peppers, stopping 1/4 inch from the top. Refrigerate until 20 minutes before serving.
• For the herb vinaigrette: Bring the sherry vinegar, honey and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir a few times until the honey and salt have completely dissolved. Remove from the heat, add the golden raisins, and let cool completely, about 15 minutes. Stir in the chives, mint, parsley and 3 tablespoons of the reserved piquillo brine.
• To serve: Spread half of the vinaigrette over a serving plate and arrange the stuffed peppers on top. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette over the peppers. Garnish with the almonds and serve immediately.

SAUSAGE-STUFFED PIQUILLO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush a baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute sausage, green onion, and a pinch of salt in hot oil until meat is browned and crumbly and onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
• Mix rice, goat cheese, egg, 2 tablespoons parsley, garlic, cumin, 1 teaspoon blood orange zest, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl. Spoon rice mixture into each pepper. Place stuffed peppers in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Scatter almonds over the top, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until stuffed peppers are heated through and filling is hot, 15 to 20 minutes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon blood orange juice, remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, and remaining parsley over the top.

PIQUILLO PEPPERS STUFFED WITH BRANDADE

Steps:

• Place salt cod and potatoes in pan and cover with water. Simmer until cod flakes easily, 20 minutes. Drain.
• Whisk together yolk, half the garlic, lemon juice, mustard and a pinch of salt. Whisk in peanut oil gradually.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté remaining garlic and onion until softened on edges. Add tomatoes and cook 10 minutes. Add 4 peppers and heat through; salt to taste. Put contents of pan into food processor. Pulse to purée, adding enough broth to give sauce consistency of melted ice cream. Adjust seasoning; return to pan.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mash warm cod and potatoes until smooth. Fold in a third of the garlic mixture, reserving rest. Mixture should be creamy. If it is heavy, fold in cream. Add salt or lemon juice to taste.
• Stuff remaining peppers with salt-cod mixture. Place in ceramic dish. Bake 25 minutes. Reheat sauce. Arrange peppers on a platter and spoon sauce on top. Serve.