Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Mini Bell Peppers With Chipotle Aioli

By: The Food Hunter

The first time I ever tried Chipotle, a smoke-dried jalapeño used primarily in Mexican inspired cuisines, was about a month ago at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen. Not being a big Mexican food eater it was quiet easy to have stayed away from chipotle for so long, though now I'm having regrets. The smokey, somewhat earthy flavor of chipotle is quite addicting.

Chef Masssimo de Francesca, of Salt Rock Southwest Kitchen, turned me on to chipotle with his mouthwatering mini bell pepper appetizer. The peppers, which are smoked and then sauteed, are served with a chipotle aioli giving the dish a Mexican flare. It was love at first bite for me and these baby bells.

I was excited when Chef said he would share his recipe. So, this past weekend my husband heated up the smoker for some brisket and threw a bunch of peppers on with it. I whipped up the chipotle aioli and served it with the peppers in individual dipping bowls. Needless to say everyone loved it!



Mini Bell Peppers With Chipotle Aioli
(courtesy of Chef Massimo de Francesca)

For the smoked peppers
1 to 2 pounds of mini bell peppers
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon of Kosher salt
Applewood or cherry wood to smoke (we used apple)

Method
In a large bowl, toss peppers with oil and salt. Put in preheated smoker for 10 minutes. Alternatively you could char the peppers on a grill very briefly or smoke them on the grill for 3 minutes.

To sauté the peppers
1/4 teaspoon of sesame oil
1 teaspoon of the Veg oil 
1/4 teaspoon of finely chopped garlic 
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil over medium heat, add garlic, onion and sesame seeds. Add peppers whole and saute until soft to touch with a fork.

For the chipotle aioli 
2 cups of mayonnaise
1/4  teaspoon of granulated garlic
Juice of one lemon, strained
Salt-and-pepper to taste
A few tablespoons of water to dilute
1/2 teaspoon of chipotle purée (1 small can of Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
Few drops of liquid smoke

In a food processor or blender pulverize the can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a small amount of  water. 
In a small bowl combine mayonnaise and lemon juice. Add chipotle puree a 1/2 teaspoon at a time until desired taste. Add a few drops of liquid smoke and season with salt and pepper.

34 comments:

  1. That Aioli looks amazing! YUM! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love those cute little peppers! And the aioli sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love baby bell peppers, what a terrific idea - sounds delish!

    ReplyDelete
  4. we LOVE our peppers around here, and I have a stovetop smoker I could use to make these! I love the sound of all of it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a yummy snack! The chipotle aioli sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great snack....that sauce though! Maybe I'll have a bowl of that, and a side of peppers?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those mini peppers are the best. What a great aioli to go with.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We love cooking with those mini peppers. And that aioli sounds like the perfect kick to serve alongside them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We love mini peppers around here. And that chipotle aioli sounds like a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These sound so delicious! I always enjoy a smoky flavor but haven't ever done smoked peppers myself. And that aioli! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a HUGE chipotle fan. I feel like it adds so much great, smoky flavor. This aioli looks seriously addicting!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great idea! I get those little peppers every week, but we always just snack on them raw. This looks way better!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's awesome that he was willing to share his recipe with you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I basically want to eat this on everything. Mmmmkay?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the look of this recipe and it would be easy to veganize by subbing vegan mayo.

    ReplyDelete
  16. These mini bell peppers are so cute and colorful. I love the thought of plunging them in the chipotle aioli!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Chipotle is one of my favorite flavors! It adds such a nice spicy smoky flavor to almost any dish.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dad lives mini bell peppers! Loving that Chipotle Aioli over here! Great little dip for them!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Mini bells are the best. That aioli dip looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I MIGHT just make the aioli and eat it plain-yum!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'll be honest. I have had aioli before but now I SO need to try this!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nothing better than a great aioli. I'm a huge mini bell pepper fan. I think I just like small food. Ha

    ReplyDelete
  23. These are so fun and sound delicious! Totally Pinning to make soon!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Cute idea! Great as a harvest dinner first course!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mmm, I could eat this all day! Chipotle is hard to resist.

    ReplyDelete
  26. WOAHH!!! Aioli is delicious!! But something I only eat at home or when I know I won't have to talk to many people anymore ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is such wonderful flavors! I love chipotle and I love bell peppers! Delish!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the mini sweet peppers. I can't wait to try your recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  29. LOVE the photos and love the recipe. Bell peppers for the win!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would never have thought to make something like this. Great recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sounds delicious! I love the baby bell peppers! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. This looks like the perfect football watching appetizer! My family (and friends) will love it!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I work with all kinds of peppers. I love this aioli you have made. This could go well with so many different things.

    ReplyDelete