This was one of those “on a whim” recipes that I decided to try out while walking through the grocery store today and, man, it’s a keeper x 1000. During my usual start of the week shopping at Taylor and I’s favorite grocery store in our area – H Mart (yes, the asian grocery store) – I decided to make these as a little appetizer to our last minute cooking date night.
Side note on H Mart: We are obsessed. The seafood department is unlike any traditional grocery store. There are Asian men in the back hand-cutting the fish right in front of you and reminded me of the fish market when I traveled to Japan (and also smells like it). It’s a very different feel than the usual US grocery store, but it has almost everything you need at a fraction of the price. This full pack of shishito peppers (also labeled as Koren “sweet peppers”) was about $3…
They are a pretty perfect start to a meal if you ask me, kind of spicy but not super filling. I believe 1 out of 10 shishito peppers are spicy, but most are mild. We paired them with a garlic/lemon aioli made with Japanese mayo and, like woah, I couldn’t stop eating them.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 Pack of Shishito Peppers (aka Koren sweet peppers)
- 1/2 cup Japanese mayo – we use this one from H Mart
- 2 Cloves of Garlic, chopped
- 1 Lemon, halved
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- Salt
- Avocado Oil
Directions:
- Make the aioli first to let the flavors meld – in a small bowl, mix together the Japanese mayo, chopped garlic, juice of 1/2 a lemon, smoked paprika and salt to taste. Set aside.
- Rinse and dry shishito peppers.
- Heat up a cast iron skillet with a thin layer of avocado (or grapeseed) oil on medium heat until oil is shimmery.
- Once the skillet is hot, and I mean hot, throw in the shishitos so that they are in a flat one layer in the pan. Sautee until blistered (about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side). Toss every so often until completely blistered.
- Remove from skillet, throw some salt on them and a squeeze from the left over lemon. Serve with aioli.
I love to see you guys re-create my recipes! Don’t forget to tag me – @sarahwisted with the hashtag #swXeats – when you do. I’d love to share what you’re cooking!
xo
SW