Yellow And Red Pepper Piperade With Marcona Almonds Food

PIPERADE BASQUAISE

Steps:

• Prepare the piperade by first heating the 4 tablespoons of fat of your choice in a heavy 8-inch frying pan or, better still, in a small oval copper or enamel pan that you can bring to the table. Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook them for about 5 minutes over moderate heat, stirring them frequently until they are soft but not brown. Stir in the pepper strips, turning them in the fat now and then, letting them cook for about 10 minutes, at which point they should be tender but still crisp. Drain the chopped tomatoes thoroughly and add them to the pan, sprinkling in at the same time the dried or fresh basil and the pepper flakes or hot pepper sauce. Raise the heat and cook the tomatoes briskly for a few minutes and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until all their moisture has evaporated. Be careful that the piperade doesn't burn. Put it aside until you are ready to reheat and serve it.
• At that point, combine 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in an 8-inch heavy frying pan, and over moderate heat, cook the julienned ham for a few minutes until the strips are thoroughly heated through. Remove them at once with a slotted spoon and spread them out on paper toweling to drain.
• Meanwhile let the fat in the frying pan cool to lukewarm before pouring it into the eggs, lightly beaten with salt and pepper. Over low heat, stir the eggs with a rubber spatula until they begin to form soft, creamy curds. Remove them from the heat when they are not quite set and gently spread them over the reheated piperade. Let some of the colorful vegetables show through. Lightly scatter the ham on top, sprinkle with the chopped parsley and/or chopped chives, and serve at once.

ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH PEARS AND MARCONA ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the beets on a sheet tray and roast until fork tender, about an hour. Remove and let cool.
• Using a paring knife, peel the beets. Grate the beets and the pears on the largest holes of a box grater. Toss them with the balsamic, olive oil and salt.
• Divide the arugula between 4 salad plates, spoon some of the beet-pear mixture onto the arugula and top with the chopped almonds and chives. Serve immediately.

YELLOW AND RED PEPPER PIPERADE WITH MARCONA ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom and place over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic. Add the onions and continue to saute until slightly caramelized, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the plum tomatoes and diced peppers, season with salt and cook until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, chile flakes and pimenton and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Add the sherry vinegar and cook for an additional minute. Taste and season.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped almonds and chives. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

THYME-ROASTED MARCONA ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the almonds, olive oil, thyme, and kosher salt on a sheet pan and toss them together. Roast the almonds for 10 to 15 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes with a metal spatula, until they're lightly browned. Watch them carefully; they go from under baked to burnt very quickly. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel, toss, and set aside to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED FINGERLINGS WITH RED AND YELLOW PIPéRADE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Pour 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil onto large rimmed baking sheet. Spread all peppers and sliced onion over, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast 10 minutes. Place halved potatoes and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Arrange potatoes in single layer atop peppers. Roast until potatoes are tender and beginning to turn golden, about 50 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 425°F oven for 10 minutes before continuing.
• Sprinkle chopped parsley and shallots over potatoes and toss to coat. Roast potatoes 5 minutes longer. Transfer potatoes to large platter. Sprinkle with chives, basil, and thyme. Drizzle with Champagne vinegar and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Pipérade refers to the classic Basque stew made with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.

PANCETTA & PEPPER PIPERADE

Steps:

• Put the pancetta and onion in a large, deep frying pan. Cook for 7 mins until the onion is beginning to soften.
• Add the peppers, tomatoes and tomato purée to the pan and mix well. Season, cover and cook for 10-15 mins.
• Make 4 small wells in the mixture. Crack an egg into each well and cook for a further 5-6 mins or until the eggs have set. Scatter with basil and serve straight away, with crusty bread, if you like.