Best Peperonata Recipes

BAKED POLENTA WITH SICILIAN PEPERONATA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. Brush both sides of polenta slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil and arrange on prepared sheet. Bake until polenta is crusty, turning over after 7 minutes, about 14 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and vinegar and cook until tomatoes soften, about 3 minutes. Add roasted peppers, olives and basil and simmer 2 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Arrange polenta on plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.

PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir until soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Stir potatoes, tomatoes, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, water, tomato paste, capers, and basil into the pot. Cook until potatoes and peppers are soft, adding more water if needed, about 45 minutes. Season with pepper.

SWEET PEPERONATA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Halve and deseed the peppers, then roughly cut into large chunks. Whisk together the vinegar, olive oil and honey with some seasoning to make a dressing. Spoon two-thirds into a shallow roasting tin with the peppers, toss together, then roast for 1 hr until the peppers are very soft and just starting to char at the edges. Meanwhile, mix the onion and garlic into the remaining dressing. Stir the sultanas into the peppers and roast for 10 mins more.
• Let the peppers cool for 10 mins, then transfer to a platter or large bowl, scatter over the parsley, capers and remaining dressing before tossing everything together.

GRILLED MARINATED BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients and marinate beef for 2 to 4 hours refrigerated. Grill for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side.
• Garnish beef with peppers.
• Combine ingredients for peperonata and toss with the peppers. Marinate for 1 hour. Grill peppers for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Do not overcook.

PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, bell peppers and rosemary and sauté until onions and bell pepper are very tender, about 40 minutes. Mix in vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

MY SICILIAN EX-MOTHER-IN-LAW'S PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Cut red and yellow bell peppers into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add bell peppers; cook and stir until onion becomes translucent, about 7 more minutes. Stir in wine. Add tomatoes, mix, and bring to a simmer.
• Cook until tomatoes have begun to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in olives, basil, and oregano. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until bell peppers have softened, about 5 minutes more. Add chile pepper and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGES WITH PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Place sausages on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook about 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until no longer pink in center.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, toss all peperonata ingredients except olives; place in grill basket (grill "wok"). Place basket on grill with sausages; cook 5 to 8 minutes, shaking basket occasionally to turn vegetables, until bell peppers and onion are crisp-tender. Stir olives into peperonata.
• Serve sausages on buns with peperonata.

PASTA PEPERONATA WITH TUNA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat a large straight-sided skillet or shallow pot over medium. Swirl in oil. Add onion, mild peppers, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have collapsed and are tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, raisins, olives, and basil sprig. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have collapsed and release their juices, and sauce thickens to a stew-like consistency, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and discard basil.
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain. Transfer spaghetti and 1/2 cup pasta water to skillet with sauce and continue cooking, tossing a few times, until sauce thickens slightly and clings evenly to pasta, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tuna, half of cheese, and finger pepper, tossing until evenly combined. Add more pasta water, a little at a time, until sauce evenly coats pasta again. Stir in basil leaves and serve, topped with remaining cheese and a drizzle of oil.

HERB-RUBBED TOP SIRLOIN STEAK WITH PEPERONATA

Steps:

• For peperonata:
• Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until almost tender, about 6 minutes. Mix in bell peppers and crushed red pepper; sprinkle lightly with coarse kosher salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until peppers are tender and silky, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes. Stir in red wine vinegar, capers, oregano, and thyme. Increase heat to medium; stir uncovered 3 minutes. Season peperonata to taste with coarse salt and pepper. Transfer peperonata to bowl and cool to room temperature. DO AHEAD Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• For steak:
• Mix oregano, thyme, pepper, and salt in small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of steak. Place on large plate; cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before grilling. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Drizzle both sides of steak lightly with olive oil. Grill steak to desired doneness, about 15 minutes per side for medium-rare, or 17 minutes per side for medium. Transfer steak to cutting board; let rest 5 minutes. Cut steak crosswise into 1/4 - to 1/3 -inch-thick slices.
• Arrange steak slices on platter; surround with peperonata and serve.

VEAL CHOPS WITH SHERRY GASTRIQUE AND ROASTED PEPERONATA

Steps:

• For sherry gastrique:
• Boil all ingredients in large saucepan until reduced to generous 2/3 cup, about 30 minutes. DO AHEAD: can be made 3 days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill.
• For veal chops:
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Sprinkle veal on each side with coarse salt, pepper, 1/8 teaspoon allspice, 1/2 teaspoon thyme; dust generously with flour. Heat 1 tablespoon chicken fat in heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 chops. Sear until brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining veal chops.
• Place chops in oven and roast until cooked to desired doneness, about 5 minutes for medium-rare (135°F). Transfer chops to plates. Reserve baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, stir broth and cornstarch in small bowl to dissolve. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet. Add broth mixture, gastrique, and any juices from baking sheet to skillet. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Boil until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
• Spoon gastrique over each chop. Serve with peperonata and remaining gastrique.
• What to drink:
• This dish needs a red wine with good acidity. The HAGAFEN 2008 NAPA VALLEY PINOT NOIR is top tier, and it's kosher. (California, $32).

CHILI-LIME FISH FRY WITH TEX-MEX PEPERONATA

Steps:

• To prepare the peperonata, heat the EVOO in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, jalapeño and bell peppers, and salt and pepper. Sauté until the peppers are crisp-tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cook for 2 minutes, then add the beer or stock and stir for a minute or two more. Top with the cilantro and set aside.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper. Arrange 3 shallow dishes; place the flour in one, beat the eggs in the second, and scatter the bread crumbs in the third. Season the bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon grated lime zest, the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Coat the fish in the flour, eggs, and seasoned bread crumbs.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. If the pan is not large enough to fry 4 fillets, heat the oven to 275°F and place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. As you fry the fish, transfer it to the rack in the hot oven to keep warm. Cook the fish for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until deeply golden and crispy. Season with a little extra salt and top the fish with lots of lime juice and then the peperonata.

BALSAMIC-HONEY CHICKEN WITH PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Make the chicken: Preheat a grill to medium high and oil the grates. Whisk the garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the red pepper flakes in a shallow bowl.
• Place the chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a heavy skillet or the flat side of a meat mallet until an even 1/2-inch thickness. Marinate the chicken in the vinegar mixture while you make the peperonata.
• Make the peperonata: Toss the bell peppers, red onion and grape tomatoes with olive oil and salt. Grill the peppers and onion over medium-high heat, turning, until charred, about 6 minutes. Grill the tomatoes in a grill basket, 3 to 4 minutes. Slice the peppers and chop the onion; toss with the tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the red pepper flakes.
• Season the chicken with salt and black pepper and grill until browned and well marked, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and grill until the chicken is cooked through, about 2 more minutes.
• Top the chicken with the peperonata.

BAKED CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Make peperonata:
• Preheat oven to 400°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.
• Toss bell peppers with 1 tablespoon oil, then roast in a 4-sided sheet pan in lower third of oven, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 35 minutes.
• Stir together capers, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Make meatballs while peppers roast:
• Soak bread in milk in a small bowl until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Cook pancetta, onion, and garlic in 1 tablespoon oil with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat until onion is softened, about 6 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Squeeze bread to remove excess milk, then discard milk. Lightly beat egg in a large bowl, then combine with chicken, pancetta mixture, bread, and parsley. Form 12 meatballs and arrange in another 4-sided sheet pan.
• Stir together tomato paste and remaining tablespoon oil and brush over meatballs, then bake in upper third of oven until meatballs are just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Toss bell peppers with caper mixture. Serve meatballs with peperonata.

ONE-PAN CHICKEN WITH PEPERONATA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch or 3-quart baking dish, combine bell peppers, garlic, thyme and 4 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper, toss to coat and arrange in an even layer. Roast until softened, about 20 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, olives and vinegar.
• In a large bowl, combine chicken with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and arrange on top of pepper mixture. Roast until chicken is golden and cooked through and peperonata is tender and saucy, about 25 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs.
• Divide chicken among plates and top with peperonata and remaining pan juices. Sprinkle with chives.

ROASTED WILD STRIPED BASS WITH PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Make the peperonata: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to break up anchovies. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are very soft, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Make the bass: Place 2 lemon slices on a small rimmed baking sheet; top with a piece of bass. Repeat process with remaining lemon slices and bass. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle evenly with oil, and top each piece of fish with a sprig of rosemary. Roast until the fish is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Serve fish over peperonata with potatoes on the side.

PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss the peppers with a dash of olive oil and a pinch of salt, coating them evenly. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast, turning the peppers once about halfway through cooking, for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the skins have started to blister and pull away from the flesh. Remove from the oven, place in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap until cool enough to handle. Remove the plastic wrap and peel the peppers. The skins should slide right off. Tear the peppers into roughly equal pieces, about ½ inch wide, discarding the stems, seeds and membranes.
• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Dab the capers dry with a paper towel and add them to the oil. Fry the capers for about a minute, or until they bloom and become crispy. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, until the paste turns brick red. Stir in the onion, fennel, chili flakes and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until the onion and fennel are tender.
• Deglaze the pan with the vinegar, dislodging any browned bits, and stir in the peppers. Cook for a few minutes, taste for seasoning, and adjust with more salt or vinegar if needed. Can be served warm or stored in a tightly covered container for up to two weeks.

SPICY CHICKEN PEPERONATA WITH LIME AND MINT DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk 4 tablespoons oil, lime juice, mint, and coriander in medium bowl. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and sauté until brown on bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken over. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter.
• Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, poblano chile, and onion to same skillet; sprinkle vegetables with salt and pepper. Toss until tender and just beginning to color, 4 to 5 minutes. Cover and cook 1 minute. Mix in 2 tablespoons dressing. Mound vegetables atop chicken. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve.
• *Often called a pasilla; available at some supermarkets and at speciality food stores and latin markets.

PEPERONATA SAUCE

Steps:

• Broil 5 assorted bell peppers and 8 cored plum tomatoes, turning, until charred, 15 minutes; let cool. Peel the peppers and cut into strips; peel and chop the tomatoes. Cook 3 sliced garlic cloves in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium heat until beginning to brown, 3 minutes. Add the roasted peppers, tomatoes and any collected juices, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until saucy, 15 minutes. Toss with 12 ounces cooked fusilli, adding up to 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water to loosen the sauce. Off the heat, stir in 1/2 cup torn basil and season with salt and pepper. Serve with drizzled olive oil.

CHICKEN AND PEPERONATA PANINI

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the red onions, orange peppers, red peppers, oregano and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and have a touch of color, about 9 minutes. Add the capers and balsamic; reduce the heat to low and cook an additional 5 minutes, until the peppers are coated in the vinegar. Stir in the basil and set aside to cool.
• Preheat a panini press. Halve the ciabatta rolls horizontally and scoop out some of the insides from the top halves. Divide the pepper mixture evenly among all the halves and top each half with a slice of provolone. Divide the sliced chicken among the ciabatta bottoms and then cover with the ciabatta tops, pressing down slightly. Brush the outside of each sandwich with olive oil.
• Place the sandwiches in the panini press, close the top, and cook until warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

PEPERONATA

Steps:

• Cook 3 sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat, 1 minute. Add 1 pound stemmed baby bell peppers. Cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Cover and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt; top with chopped oregano.