Blistered Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers broke into the American fine dining scene in the early 2000’s and have since become a fairly common appetizer. Hailing from Japan, these peppers have a nutty flavor when charred that is unique and delicious. They are generally quite mild, but about 1 in 20 peppers will be jalapeno level spicy.

Ingredients:

Shishito Peppers

Dipping Sauce:

1/4 cup Bachan’s Japanese Barbeque Sauce

1 scallion, sliced thinly

1-2 drops of sesame oil

1-3 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Heat a dry cast iron pan on medium-high heat.

2. If you prick the peppers before blistering, the peppers won’t steam as much and will hold their shape better.

3. Add whole peppers in a single layer, flipping occasionally, and cook until all sides are blistered (approximately 5 minutes).

4. Remove from the heat and toss with quality olive oil and kosher salt.

5. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl for dipping.