What to do with leftover piquillo peppers

Piquillo peppers are a roasted no-heat chilli that will enrich your dishes with a smokey, sweet flavour. Use up your leftover jar with these 3 recipes.

Recipes using piquillo peppers

How to use up leftover piquillo peppers

  • Cheese dip. Put 4-5 piquillo peppers in a food processor with 100g cream cheese, 70g monterey jack cheese, the grated zest of 1 lemon, a pinch cayenne pepper and a good pinch each of salt and pepper. Whizz to a smooth paste, then taste and add a little lemon juice if needed.
  • Pepper pesto. Put 5 peppers in a mini food processor or pestle and mortar with 1 chopped small garlic clove, the grated zest of 1 lemon and 1 tbsp juice, 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts, 20g grated parmesan and 70ml extra-virgin olive oil. Season well, then whizz to a coarse paste. Taste and season with lemon juice if needed.