Creamy Piquillo Pepper Stuffed Shells With Philadelphia Cream Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a large saute pan set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and chorizo. Cook until well browned, 7 to 8 minutes, breaking up the chorizo with the back of a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the garlic, carrots, celery, shallots, salt, pepper and chile flakes, and saute until the onions become translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly. Add half of the Manchego, the breadcrumbs, half of the parsley and the cream cheese. Stir well to mix everything evenly. Using a medium spoon, carefully stuff each of the piquillo peppers with the filling. Arrange the stuffed peppers on a baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining Manchego. Bake in the center of the oven until the cheese melts and is slightly bubbly around the edges, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a platter and garnish with the remaining chopped parsley to serve.

Steps:

• For the stuffed piquillo peppers: Pat the peppers with a paper towel to remove any excess brine. Trim the tops of the peppers.
• In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, manchego, chives, honey, lemon zest and juice, paprika, 2 tablespoons of the reserved piquillo brine and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and white pepper. Mix together with a rubber spatula until well combined and smooth.
• Put the mixture in a piping bag or a zip-close bag with a corner snipped off, and pipe it into the peppers, stopping 1/4 inch from the top. Refrigerate until 20 minutes before serving.
• For the herb vinaigrette: Bring the sherry vinegar, honey and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir a few times until the honey and salt have completely dissolved. Remove from the heat, add the golden raisins, and let cool completely, about 15 minutes. Stir in the chives, mint, parsley and 3 tablespoons of the reserved piquillo brine.
• To serve: Spread half of the vinaigrette over a serving plate and arrange the stuffed peppers on top. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette over the peppers. Garnish with the almonds and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Place the almonds in a small skillet over medium heat and cook, tossing, until golden brown and toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
• If necessary, trim the open end of each pepper so that it measures 1 1/2- to 2-inches long. Stir the chives, mint and parsley together in a small bowl.
• Place the goat cheese in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until creamy. Add the olive oil and beat until incorporated. Add all but 1 tablespoon of the herbs and beat to combine. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the cheese mixture into a resealable plastic bag, snip off the tip of one corner and pipe the cheese into each pepper until about three-quarters full. Arrange the peppers on a platter and drizzle with more olive oil and some sherry vinegar. Sprinkle the peppers with the remaining herbs and the toasted almonds before serving.