If you are looking for a simple and delicious appetizer that can be ready in minutes, try these blistered shishito peppers with crispy garlic and furikake seasoning. They are vegan, gluten-free, and packed with flavor!
Shishito peppers are small, wrinkled, green peppers that originate from Japan. They have a mild and sweet taste, similar to bell peppers, but occasionally you might find a spicy one that adds some excitement to the dish. You can also use padrone peppers, which are a Spanish variety of the same pepper.
To make this appetizer, you will need:
- Shishito peppers
- Oil (preferably peanut oil for its high smoke point and nutty flavor)
- Salt
- Garlic
- Soy sauce (or gluten-free liquid aminos)
- Sesame oil
- Furikake seasoning (a Japanese condiment made of seaweed, sesame seeds, salt, and sometimes other ingredients like bonito flakes or sugar)
Furikake seasoning adds a lot of umami and crunch to the peppers, but if you don’t have it or don’t want to buy it, you can substitute it with everything bagel spice or just salt, pepper, and sesame seeds.
The method is very simple:
- Wash and dry the shishito peppers well. Toss them in a bowl with some oil and salt.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat until very hot. Add the peppers in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until they are charred and blistered on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t overcook them or they will lose their shape and texture.
- Transfer the peppers to a plate and keep warm. In the same skillet, add some more oil and sliced garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the garlic is golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
- Return the peppers to the skillet and toss with soy sauce, sesame oil, and furikake seasoning. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Serve hot or warm, with more furikake seasoning if desired.
Enjoy these blistered shishito peppers as a snack or an appetizer, with some cold beer or cocktails. They are also great as a side dish or a topping for burgers, tacos, salads, or hummus. You can also experiment with different sauces and spices to change up the flavor.
Blistered shishito peppers are a fun and easy way to enjoy these tasty peppers. Give them a try and let me know what you think!
