Bite Of Minnesota: Blistered Shishito Peppers

Dining al fresco is at its prime right now. The weather is somewhat mild and the mosquitoes are just starting to make their annual appearance (although I fear I am jinxing myself with this statement). While it's tempting to pop over to a patio for some small bites, sometimes it's nice to settle in at home and leisurely nibble and sip on your own time. No servers to interrupt, no meters to feed, and no one to judge you when you spill on yourself.

Perhaps you've heard the buzz about shishito peppers or have recently noticed them on restaurant menus like at Moto-I or Masu Sushi & Robata. These long and thin peppers are gaining in popularity because they make for a healthy snack and are so easy to prepare. While generally mild, it is rumored that 1 in 10 are spicy, which adds to the fun of it!

Similar to edamame, shishito peppers can be served with a sprinkle of salt or doctored up with soy sauce, ponzu sauce, or lemon juice to name a few options. I found a bag of peppers recently at Trader Joe's and gave it a whirl. In the amount of time it took to uncork a bottle of wine and set up the outdoor patio, I had blistered the peppers in a hot skillet, tossed with salt and pepper and added a drizzle of sesame oil. Voila! The perfect finger food to accompany a bottle of rose.