Monday, March 21, 2011

a plate of pepper pasta perfection

Today my glimpse of grace is food related (shocking, I know). I have a bit of a roasted red pepper obsession, and tonight I roasted one with a jalapeno. I thought I'd take you through my lil' process, just because I felt like it. So here we go:

1. Stick that awesome red goodness in the oven (& a jalapeno if you're feeling Texan) on broil for about 15 minutes, turning every few minutes so it chars evenly. I used a massive red pepper, but if yours is small, go for two. And really, this is fun, intentionally burn it. But a word of warning: if you're fond of your eyebrows and eyelashes, when you open that smokin' hot oven door take a step back and let some of that heat escape before you try to turn that pepper. (Don't worry, I still have my eyelashes and eyebrows.)


2. Once your bell pepper and jalapeno's done roasting, stick em in a bowl with a little plastic wrap tightly on top and just let them hang out until they cool off a little. This is a good point in the cooking process for the chef to enjoy a wee glass of wine. :)

3. Once they're cool enough to handle, peel the charred skin off (it will be easy) but leave a bit on for some smoky flavor. Take the seeds/stems off like you normally would and chop roughly.


4. Throw those awesome peppers into a food processor/blender with a good dose of olive oil, s & p, herbs (I used parsley) and one grated clove of garlic. Puree that until it's smooth, golden and silky (aka a rockstar pasta sauce).

5. Cook your pasta really al dente (firm) and then let it cook together with that sauce for a couple more minutes. Top with more herbs, say a little thanks to God for inventing red peppers and enjoy!

6 comments:

Amy said...

Is it possible to love you hate you be entirely happy for you and jealous of you all at the same time...?

Wow, your dinner looks delicious. Wine and pasta...life simply does not get much better.

Well chocolate for dessert. That would be lovely as well.

Whitney said...

Wow that's a strong reaction to roasted peppers. No jealousy or hatred allowed! :) It was yummy.

(and I had a little nibble of chocolate from Geneva for dessert.)

Whitney said...

I should add a new idea for the title of this blog post: My Grandmother suggested "Pixie Preacher Plates Perfect Pepper Pasta!" Love it. :)

(since when is very slightly over 5 feet tall designated as "pixie"?!)

Lynn said...

I like that your grandmother came up with that title. :)

And what a great play by play on roasting peppers. I've never done that and you inspire me now.

Amy said...

I think it suites you nicely...perhaps not in stature or hair cut...but in spirit...definitely in spirit. =)

PS - Grandmothers are absolutely the best.

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