Damn Hot Peppers Michael Chiarello Food

GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH PECK SEASONING AND CHARRED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal or gas grill, or heat a large ridged grill pan, a griddle, or 2 cast-iron skillets over moderately high heat.
• Brush the pork chops with 1 tablespoon of the oil, then season - sparingly - all over with the Peck Seasoning, patting it into place. Add the chops and reduce the heat to moderate. Brown the chops on both sides, about 4 minutes per side, slide the chops over to the indirect heat side of the grill, adjusting the heat so they cook without burning the coating. Continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 140?F, 25 to 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, toss the pepper strips with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste.
• While the pork chops finish cooking over indirect heat, cook the peppers in a single layer on the grill over moderate, direct heat, turning them occasionally, until they are charred in spots and softened but not mushy, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer the pork and peppers to a warmed serving platter. Squeeze the lemon half over both and serve with the lemon wedges on the side.
• Michael's Notes: To get some nice caramelization on the peppers, be sure not to crowd them. If stacked, they will steam instead of sizzle.
• Combine the garlic and lemon zest on a cutting board and chop finely. Add the sage and rosemary and mince everything together until very fine. Add the pancetta and mix it in well with your fingers. Add the salt and pepper and gently incorporate all the ingredients by hand until the mixture resembles a moist seasoning salt. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

SKILLET-FRIED CORN AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil, then the garlic. Saute until the garlic is lightly browned. Add the chiles and saute briefly to release their character. Add the corn and cook briskly, stirring often, until partially cooked, about 3 minutes. Add the damn hot peppers then simmer, stirring, until the corn is just tender, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, whisk in the butter, and stir in the chives. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
• In a non-reactive saucepan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot add the bell peppers, jalapenos, and gray salt. Cook over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes or until the peppers are partially tender. Stir from the bottom from time to time, adjusting the heat as necessary so that they don't brown. There will still be some liquid left in the pot.
• Add the tomatoes, lower the heat to simmer and continue to cook for about 30 minutes to reduce the tomato juice and finish cooking the peppers. Add additional salt if needed. Serve warm or room temperature.

ROASTED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Place peppers directly over the burner of a gas stove, or on a hot grill. Cook, turning often, until the skin is blackened and charred. Remove from the heat and place in the paper bag. Allow to cool.
• Once cool, peel, stem and seed. Do not rinse the peppers off as you will wash away the flavor. Small bits of charred skin is O.K. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

DAMN HOT POLENTA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Generously butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish; set aside. In a large bowl, stir the flour, polenta, cheese, scallions, sugar, baking powder, baking, soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula just until blended; do not over-mix.
• Add 3/4 cup Damn Hot Peppers and then stir in hot sauce, to taste. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and level it with a rubber spatula. Bake until the bread is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 35 minutes. Cool briefly and then cut into squares and serve warm. If not serving immediately, cover with more melted butter to keep moist overnight.
• In a non-reactive saucepan, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the bell peppers, jalapenos and sea salt. Cook over medium high heat for about 15 minutes or until the peppers are partially tender. Stir the bottom from time to time, adjusting the heat as necessary so that they don't brown. There will still be some liquid left in the pot.
• Add the tomatoes, lower the heat to a simmer and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, to reduce the tomato juice and finish cooking the peppers. Add additional salt, if needed. Add to batter as directed.

DAMN HOT PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a very large pot. Add the peppers, and allow to sweat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add jalapenos, and salt to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes, or until the peppers have softened and are partially tender. There will still be some liquid left in the pot.
• Add the tomatoes and the basil leaves. Lower the heat and continue to cook for about 30 minutes, until the peppers are tender. Add additional salt, if needed. Remove from the heat.
• If canning, add the vinegar, place in canning jars, and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Or, store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

DAMN HOT PEPPERS - MICHAEL CHIARELLO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a very large pot. Add the peppers, and allow to sweat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add jalapenos, and salt to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes, or until the peppers have softened and are partially tender. There will still be some liquid left in the pot.
• Add the tomatoes and the basil leaves. Lower the heat and continue to cook for about 30 minutes, until the peppers are tender. Add additional salt, if needed. Remove from the heat.
• If canning, add the vinegar, place in canning jars, and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Or, store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

DAMN HOT PEPPERS AND POTATO HASH WITH BAKED EGGS - MICHAEL CHIAR

Steps:

• Make the Peppers: Heat the oil in a very large pot. Add the peppers, and allow to sweat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add jalapenos, and salt to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes, or until the peppers have softened and are partially tender. There will still be some liquid left in the pot. Add the tomatoes and the basil leaves. Lower the heat and continue to cook for about 30 minutes, until the peppers are tender. Add additional salt, if needed. Remove from the heat. If canning, add the vinegar, place in canning jars, and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Or, store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Make the Hash: Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
• Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and boil until about three-quarters done, about 4 minutes. Drain well.
• Heat a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. When hot, add the olive oil, then add the potatoes. Lower the heat to medium and cook, tossing occasionally, until the potatoes are crusty and browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the onion browns lightly, about 2 minutes. Drain the potatoes and onion in a sieve to remove the excess oil, then return them to the skillet.
• Off the heat, gently stir in the Damn Hot Peppers. If you blend them in too well, the potatoes will lose their crispness. Make 4 evenly spaced wells in the hash and break an egg into each well. Sprinkle the eggs with the oregano and scatter the cheese over the hash.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the eggs are cooked to your taste, about 6 minutes for firm whites and soft yolks. Serve immediately.