Serrano Paste Food

SERRANO PASTE

Steps:

• Cook the Serranos in a cast iron skillet on high heat or under the oven broiler until the skin is brown on the outside, turning occasionally, but do not burn.
• (Beware the fumes) Add the rest of the ingredients and grind in a mortar and pestle (or use food processor) until it is thick and pasty.
• Use water to bring to spreadable, pasty consistency.
• Enjoy on tacos, or add to soups.

SERRANO CHILE-RUBBED ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken: Put the chicken in a large zip-top bag with the beer and vinegar. Seal and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Make the spice rub: Pulse the garlic, oregano, olive oil, serrano chile, cumin seeds, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor to make a paste. (If you don't have a mini food processor, finely chop the garlic, oregano and chile, then whisk in the spices and olive oil.)
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Rub all over and under the skin with the spice rub, put on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Brush the chicken lightly with olive oil and roast until slightly golden, 30 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and continue roasting until the chicken skin is golden brown and crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165 degrees F, about 25 more minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven, brush the skin with the pan drippings and let rest 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and season with salt.

SERRANO CHIPS WITH QUINCE PRESERVES AND MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Cut ham into 32 (3- by 2- by 2-inch) triangles. Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then fry ham in 4 batches, turning occasionally, until crisp and a shade darker, about 1 minute. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Using a cheese plane or vegetable peeler, shave 32 small pieces of cheese from wedge. (Each piece should be about 1 inch square.) Top each ham chip with 1/8 teaspoon quince preserves, then press cheese squares into preserves.
• *Available at specialty foods shops.
• **Available at The Spanish Table (206-682-2827; spanishtable.com).

SERRANO HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Place serrano peppers, garlic, and salt in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly pour the vinegar through the feed tube; process until sauce is smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Pour sauce into a saucepan; bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Pour sauce into a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 day.
• Strain sauce through a fine-mesh strainer; store in the refrigerator.

SPAGHETTI WITH FRESH-TOMATO SAUCE AND SERRANO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Make the tomato sauce: Heat olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and chile; cook, stirring, until soft and translucent. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes.
• Add beefsteak and plum tomatoes to Dutch oven. Wrap thyme, parsley, basil, and herbs de Provence in a piece of cheesecloth, using kitchen twine to enclose. Add to saucepan and season with salt. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 3 hours. Remove cheesecloth packet and discard. Using an immersion or standard blender, blend sauce until smooth. Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer and return to Dutch oven; set aside.
• Make the confit: Preheat oven to 150 degrees. Fit a rimmed baking sheet with a rack and set aside.
• Place cherry tomatoes in a large bowl and add garlic, thyme, and olive oil; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Evenly spread tomatoes on prepared baking sheet and transfer to oven; bake for 3 hours.
• To serve: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add sea salt and return to a boil. Add pasta and cook, according to package directions, until al dente; drain.
• Meanwhile, place tomato sauce over medium heat and add chile, cheese, and tomato confit; season with cracked black pepper and fleur de sel. Stir to combine. Stir in pasta to coat with sauce and evenly divide between 4 serving plates. Top with basil and serve immediately.

SERRANO SALSA

Steps:

• Add olive oil to a medium-sized sauté pan.
• Place over medium-high heat.
• When oil is hot, stir in Serrano chilies and garlic.
• Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring often so garlic does not burn.
• Add onion and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add yellow pepper, sauté for 1 minute.
• Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, oregano and coriander; cook for 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper and capers.
• Turn up heat to high and bring sauce to slight boil; remove from heat immediately.
• The vegetables should retain crispness.
• Chill thoroughly before serving.