Piperade [Master Recipe]

* Exported from MasterCook II *

PIPERADE* [Master Recipe]

Recipe By : MARIA CIANCI, Chronicle Staff Writer
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Main Dishes Side Dishes
Vegetables

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/3 cup olive oil
1 3/4 pounds onions -- peeled, halved, cut
7 pounds peppers -- seeded, trimmed, in 1" strips
3 jalapeno peppers -- seeded, slivered
1 1/2 teaspoons salt -- or to taste
black pepper -- Freshly ground (optional)


Heat oil in heavy stock pot (or use 2 large, heavy pots) over high heat.
When it is rippling, add onions and saute, stirring frequently, for 2
minutes. Add peppers and jalapenos and saute, stirring frequently, for 5
minutes. Add 1/4 cup water, cover pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and
``sweat'' the mixture, stirring occasionally, until peppers are just
tender, 15 to 25 minutes. Add salt halfway through cooking time. When
mixture is cooked, season with more salt, if necessary, and pepper, if des
ired. Let mixture stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or hot,
about 1 cup per person, as a side dish. Refrigerate remaining piperade
for up to 5 days. Yields about 12 cups

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : Using one variety of pepper only -- say, green bell or red Gypsy
-- can make a perfectly fine piperade, but a variety of colorful peppers
looks festive and shows off the bounty of the summer harvest. Serve with
roasted chicken, grilled lamb cho ps and steaks, or as a topping for
hamburgers and fish such as halibut or salmon.
The leftovers can be transformed into even more side dishes during
the week with the help of condiments, such as capers and olives, or fresh
herbs, such as thyme, oregano and basil. Adding vegetables is another way
to vary piperade during the week. Tomatoes, sauteed squash, eggplant or
greens, or boiled potatoes and green beans are delicious additions to the
sweet peppers. Lamb, beef and chicken are fine partners for the piperade,
as are fish such as halibut, salmon and orange roughy.