Crab Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Food

CRAB-AND-CHEESE-STUFFED MINI PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut the peppers lengthwise and remove the stems, seeds and ribs. If needed, trim a small amount off the bottom of each pepper half so that it will lie flat when cut-side up (making them steady is important so the filling stays intact during baking). Chop the trimmings into small pieces and set aside.
• Toss the pepper halves in a medium bowl with the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Set aside.
• Stir together the softened cream cheese and reserved pepper trimmings in another medium bowl until smooth. Gently fold in the crabmeat and season with salt and pepper.
• Fill each pepper half with about 1 tablespoon of the crab mixture so it comes over the top of the pepper slightly. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the filling is beginning to brown, about 18 minutes. Serve warm.

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.

CRAB AND PROSCIUTTO-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, combine the crab, cornflakes, half the prosciutto, the mayonnaise, scallions, egg, 1 teaspoon salt and cayenne pepper, if using.
• Spoon the filling into the bell pepper halves, dividing it evenly. Place the remaining prosciutto on top of the filling and drizzle with olive oil. Arrange the filled peppers in a single layer in a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish or small roasting pan. Pour the broth around the peppers. Bake until the peppers are tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter and serve.

CRAB-STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Sauté vegetables, excluding bell peppers, in margarine.
• Mix with crab meat and breadcrumbs.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. (If dry, add a small amount of water).
• Stuff bell peppers and cover tops with cheese.
• Bake 350°F for 30 minutes.