Marinated Cherry Peppers Stuffed With Homemade Goat Cheese Served With A Prosciutto And Arugula Salad Food

GOAT CHEESE STUFFED BABY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and preheat the broiler to high.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the peppers with the olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt and arrange them cut-side down. Broil until beginning to brown and soften slightly, about 4 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, mascarpone, orange zest, lemon zest and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well with a rubber spatula. Place the cheese mixture in a piping bag with a decorative tip. Fill each pepper evenly with the cheese mixture, being careful not to overfill. Sprinkle with the chives. Store in the refrigerator if not serving immediately.

MARINATED STUFFED CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Core out peppers by cutting a circle, at an inward angle, around the stem. Remove tops and scoop seeds and membranes out, like a tiny pumpkin.
• Cut thumbnail-size cubes of mozzarella, varying size a little bit to fit each pepper. Cut prosciutto slices in half. Wrap each half around mozzarella cubes and stuff into the open peppers.
• Pour olive oil into a jar or lidded container. Stir in Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper. Whisk together well.
• Add peppers to the oil mixture and seal the lid. Let marinate for 5 to 6 hours. Serve straight out of the jar.

STUFFED CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• For hot peppers: Wrap cheese cubes in half of one slice of hot ham. Stuff ham wrapped cheese cubes inside the cherry peppers and reset caps with a toothpick.
• For sweet cherry peppers: Spread each slice of prosciutto with a thin layer of herb and garlic cheese. Cut each slice of ham in four pieces, then wrap a piece of celery inside each strip of ham. Stuff the meat and cheese wrapped celery into each cherry pepper.

ROASTED MARINATED PEPPERS WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Arrange peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until blackened and soft, 25-30 minutes, turning once or twice.
• Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let stand 10 minutes (this helps steam the peppers in their skins, and makes skin removal easier).
• Meanwhile, make the marinade: combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, leaves from about half the thyme, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
• While peppers are still hot, slip off the skin and scrape out seeds; remove stems.
• Cut each pepper into quarters.
• Add roasted peppers to the marinade and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• To serve, arrange peppers on 4 plates, garnish with olives, oranges and remaining thyme, and crumble goat cheese over and season with additional freshly ground pepper.
• Note: instead of all red wine vinegar, you can use 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon balsamic, for even deeper and sweeter flavor. Chopped basil is also a delicious garnish.

STUFFED MARINATED HOT RED CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Stuff each pepper with cheese and a sprig of marjoram. Transfer stuffed pepper and pepper tops to a glass loaf pan.
• Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over peppers. Let marinate at room temperature 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place tops on peppers. Cook until cheese has melted and peppers are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Serve with bread.

GOAT CHEESE & MARINATED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Lay pepper halves, skin side up, in a single layer on baking sheet. Flatten each pepper slightly with your hand. Place under broiler and broil til skin is charred, about 15 minutes. Remove peppers and place in plastic or paper bags and let steam for 20 minute Slip off and discard charred skins.
• Dice the roasted peppers and place in bowl w/oil, vinegar, garlic and chili peppers and garlic. Cover and chill for 8 hours or more to develop flavors.
• To serve: bring peppers to room temp and place goat cheese on a platter and pour pepper mixture over log of cheese.
• Surround with slices of baguette (crustini).

MARINATED STUFFED CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Wash cherry peppers and place whole, stems intact, in 1 gallon jar.
• Fill jar with white vinegar.
• Let stand at least one week.
• I've let them soak as long as 3 weeks.
• You may need to add more vinegar to keep the jar full as the peppers soak it in.
• The peppers will float, make sure to keep them covered.
• After soaking for at least a week, pour out vinegar and rinse peppers in cool water.
• Remove stems and seeds.
• Expect to lose 3 or 4 peppers during soaking.
• Cut provolone to the appropriate size to fill the peppers.
• (~1/2" cube) Cut the Proscuitto slices in half.
• Wrap the provolone with a 1/2 slice of Proscuitto (or 2 for larger peppers) and stuff into pepper.
• Add some Olive Oil to the jar.
• Add Onion, Rosemary, 2 or 3 Bay Leaves, Dill Weed, Basil and chopped Garlic to oil.
• Place the peppers in the jar and fill the jar with 50% Olive Oil and 50% Canola Oil.
• Top off the jar with a sprikle coating of Parmesan cheese.
• Let soak a minimum of one week.
• I let them soak and store them at room temperature.
• You may want to refrigerate for longer shelf life.
• (I've had shelf life in excess of one month) ENJOY!