Spicy & Sweet Stir-fried Shishito Peppers
A Perfect Summer Side Dish: Quick and Easy Shishito Pepper Salad
On hot summer days, the thought of complex cooking can be overwhelming. While we all crave a break, it’s important to include vegetables in our meals for our family’s health. This recipe for ‘Shishito Pepper Salad’ is a lifesaver for those moments! With minimal preparation, these mild peppers are quickly blanched and tossed in a savory and slightly sweet sauce, making them a fantastic side dish that pairs wonderfully with rice, especially when your appetite is low. It’s the perfect way to reignite your taste buds during the summer!
Essential Ingredients- 40 Shishito peppers (any size)
- 1 Tbsp salt for blanching water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, neatly trim the stems off the 40 shishito peppers. In a pot, bring about 1 liter of water (using a paper cup as a measure) to a rolling boil with 1 tablespoon of salt over high heat. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the prepared shishito peppers and stir them gently just once to ensure they don’t stick together. It’s crucial to blanch them quickly until they turn a vibrant green, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, to avoid them becoming mushy.
Step 2
Immediately after blanching, remove the shishito peppers from the hot water and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This step is key to maintaining their crisp texture and preventing them from becoming too soft as they cool. Once thoroughly cooled, drain them well in a colander.
Step 3
With the peppers drained, take them in your hands and squeeze out as much water as possible. Squeezing out the excess water is important to prevent the seasoning from becoming diluted and to ensure the flavors meld beautifully when tossed. The squeezed peppers will yield about a handful of volume.
Step 4
Place the squeezed shishito peppers in a mixing bowl. Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients: 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce for soup, 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 0.5 Tbsp plum syrup, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds. Now, using your hands, vigorously toss and mix the peppers with the seasoning, almost as if you’re kneading them. Thoroughly mixing ensures the seasoning coats every pepper evenly, which is the secret to a delicious outcome. Once well-combined, transfer to a serving dish. Your flavorful side dish is ready!
