Fiery Flavor: 10 Delicious Recipes Featuring Piquillo Peppers

Introduction

Piquillo peppers, with their distinct sweet and smoky flavor, are a fantastic ingredient that can transform simple dishes into culinary masterpieces. These small, vibrant red peppers, typically grown in Spain, are usually roasted and peeled, making them incredibly versatile for a variety of recipes. Their mild heat and unique flavor profile lend themselves well to numerous cuisines, from tapas to hearty entrees. In this guide, we will explore ten delicious recipes featuring piquillo peppers, each bringing out the best in this incredible ingredient.

Ingredient List

Before diving into each recipe, here’s a compilation of ingredients you may need throughout the collection:

Basic Ingredients

• Piquillo peppers (jarred or fresh)
• Olive oil
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic
• Onion
• Fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or cilantro)
• Lemon or lime juice

Specific Ingredients by Recipe

1. Piquillo Pepper Hummus

   • Chickpeas
   • Tahini
   • Cumin
   • Paprika

2. Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

   • Cream cheese (or vegan alternative)
   • Goat cheese
   • Spinach

3. Piquillo Pepper Tapenade

   • Capers
   • Black olives
   • Anchovies (optional)

4. Piquillo Pepper Soup

   • Vegetable or chicken broth
   • Heavy cream
   • Fresh thyme

5. Piquillo Pepper and Chorizo Quesadilla

   • Tortillas
   • Grated cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
   • Chorizo

6. Piquillo Pepper Rice Pilaf

   • Long-grain rice
   • Peas
   • Vegetable broth

7. Piquillo Pepper Salad

   • Mixed greens
   • Feta cheese
   • Balsamic vinaigrette

8. Piquillo Pepper Omelette

   • Eggs
   • Cheese (optional)
   • Fresh herbs

9. Piquillo Pepper Crostini

   • Baguette
   • Ricotta cheese
   • Honey

10. Piquillo Pepper Pasta

    • Spaghetti or penne
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Fresh basil

Preparation Time

• Total Time: Varies by recipe; estimating around 30 to 60 minutes per recipe.
• Prep Time for Each Recipe: Generally 10 to 20 minutes. Cooking time can range from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the recipe.

Servings

Each recipe is designed to serve 4 people, making it perfect for a family meal or gathering with friends.

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Recipes

1. Piquillo Pepper Hummus

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 1 jar piquillo peppers, drained
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling

Preparation:

1. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, piquillo peppers, tahini, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Blend until smooth, adding olive oil gradually to reach desired consistency.
3. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle with extra olive oil before serving.

2. Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

Ingredients:

• 12 piquillo peppers
• 1 cup cream cheese (or vegan alternative)
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Carefully stuff each piquillo pepper with the cheese mixture.
4. Place stuffed peppers on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

3. Piquillo Pepper Tapenade

Ingredients:

• 1 jar piquillo peppers, drained
• 1 cup black olives, pitted
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 2 anchovies (optional)
• Olive oil

Preparation:

1. In a food processor, combine piquillo peppers, olives, capers, and anchovies, if using.
2. Pulse until roughly chopped, scraping down the sides as necessary.
3. Drizzle in olive oil until desired consistency is reached.

4. Piquillo Pepper Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 jars piquillo peppers, drained and chopped
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh thyme to garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté chopped piquillo peppers for 5 minutes.
2. Add the broth and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
4. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with thyme before serving.

5. Piquillo Pepper and Chorizo Quesadilla

Ingredients:

• 4 tortillas
• 1 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup chorizo, cooked and crumbled
• 1 jar piquillo peppers, sliced

Preparation:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place one tortilla in the pan and sprinkle one side with cheese.
2. Layer on the chorizo and piquillo pepper slices, then top with more cheese and cover with another tortilla.
3. Cook until crispy on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Cut into wedges and serve.

6. Piquillo Pepper Rice Pilaf

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 jar piquillo peppers, chopped
• 1 cup peas
• Olive oil

Preparation:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté rice for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add broth, piquillo peppers, and peas. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.
3. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork before serving.

7. Piquillo Pepper Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed greens
• 1 jar piquillo peppers, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, piquillo peppers, and feta cheese.
2. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently.

8. Piquillo Pepper Omelette

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1 jar piquillo peppers, sliced
• 1/2 cup cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Whisk eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
2. Pour eggs into a heated skillet and cook until slightly set.
3. Top with piquillo peppers and cheese, folding the omelette in half and cooking until cheese is melted.

9. Piquillo Pepper Crostini

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• Honey for drizzling

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place baguette slices on a baking sheet.
2. Toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes until lightly golden.
3. Spread ricotta cheese on each slice, top with piquillo peppers, and drizzle with honey.

10. Piquillo Pepper Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti or penne
• 1 jar piquillo peppers, sliced
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish

Preparation:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and return to pot.
2. Stir in piquillo peppers and Parmesan cheese while pasta is still warm.
3. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Conclusion

Piquillo peppers offer a unique blend of sweetness and smokiness that can elevate any dish. With these ten delicious recipes, you can explore the versatility of piquillo peppers across various meals—from appetizers to main courses. Don’t hesitate to mix and match ingredients to create your own variations or experiment with different spices to kick up the heat. Enjoy these fiery flavors in your kitchen and delight your friends and family with your newfound piquillo pepper skills!