PEPERONCINI STUFFED WITH SMOKED SALMON AND DILL CREAM

Peperoncini Stuffed with Smoked Salmon and Dill Cream image

Yield Makes 35 to 40 stuffed peperoncini

Number Of Ingredients 7

35 to 40 (three to four 9-ounce jars) peperoncini (pickled Tuscan peppers), drained
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
3 tablespoons minced shallot
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
6 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon, chopped fine

Steps:

Trim the stem ends off the peperoncini at an angle and, wearing rubber gloves, discard the seeds and ribs. Let the peperoncini drain on paper towels. In a bowl cream the cream cheese with the butter until the mixture is smooth, add the dill, the shallot, and the lemon juice, and combine the mixture well. Stir in the salmon and salt and pepper to taste, transfer the mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch decorative or plain tip, and pipe the smoked salmon and dill cream into the peperoncini. The peperoncini may be prepared 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.