Description
Learn how to perfectly pre-cook peppers by blanching them in boiling water to achieve tender, ready-to-stuff peppers that enhance any baked dish.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Peppers (either halved or whole and hollowed), quantity as needed
- Water (enough to fully cover the peppers in the pot)
Instructions
- Prepare the peppers: Hollow out the peppers by removing seeds and membranes if using whole peppers, or halve them if preferred.
- Fill the pot: Place the prepared peppers in a large pot and add water to fill inside the hollow peppers to prevent them from floating. Then fill the pot around the peppers so they are completely submerged.
- Boil the peppers: Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the peppers simmer gently for about three minutes, until they become tender but still hold their shape.
- Cool the peppers: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peppers immediately to a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their texture.
- Drain and dry: Remove the peppers from the ice water and gently shake off any excess water.
- Ready to stuff: Place the pre-cooked peppers in a baking dish, stuff them with your chosen filling, and then proceed with your recipe by baking for 25 to 30 minutes or as desired.
Notes
- Blanching peppers not only softens them but also helps reduce cooking time in subsequent recipes.
- Be sure to cool peppers quickly in ice water to maintain their vibrant color and texture.
- This method works well for a variety of peppers including bell peppers, poblano, and sweet peppers.
- Adjust cooking times slightly based on the thickness and size of the peppers.
- Use freshly prepared peppers for best results and to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes boiling + 25-30 minutes baking (for stuffing step, optional)
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling followed by Baking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: pre-cook peppers, blanching peppers, how to soften peppers, stuffed peppers preparation, boiling peppers
