I could easily live off these for a month! Do you ever raise two triumphant, celebratory hands into the air when achieving something awesome? When I popped my first taste of one of these my body lost control and I did just that. I looked like the person first through the tape at the end of a race!
The first batch tasted INCREDIBLE almost indescribable but they were like flavour grenades. The peppadews were piquant and succulent, the garlicky cheese was rich and creamy, the sesame seeds and lemon rind gave a background of slightly bitter tang. Soft, chewy, moist little pops of flavour burst into your mouth with such intensity and they take you over completely...rendering all around you, momentarily, of very little interest. Attention grabbers!
With the flavours in the bag I made a few alterations and put another batch in the oven. I made the batter thicker than previously and put a little less of the cheese stuffing in the pepper (so the heat of the oven didn't make them explode and leave me with a baking tray of garlicky cheese (though I would've eaten it anyway!). I wanted them to look good (I'd say look as good as they taste but I think this near on impossible).
My second batch pouting for the camera...
I think the batter could still be improved slightly to prevent cracking...a pinch of xantham gum may do the trick. For now, here is the recipe.
Ingredients
8 teaspoons of Vegan cream cheese (I used Redwood Blue cheese style)
1 garlic clove finely chopped
1 tbs chopped parsley
8 peppadew peppers in a jar - labelled HOT - they are deseeded and topped
1/2 cup(125g) sorghum flour (they used strong white)
1 (125ml) coconut milk (I used Kara - it is not the type in a can you use for cooking but a milk drink) you can use rice or soya milk instead
1 tbs Vegan yogurt
1 tsp arrowroot
1 crumbled vegan yeast free stock cube
1 tsp lime rind or zest
juice of 1/2 lime
sesame seeds for sprinkling
oil for greasing pan
optional - a generous pinch of cayenne and a peppering of white pepper
Method
1. oil a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 180 (350f).
2. put cream the cheese, garlic, and parsley in a bowl.
3. using a small spoon stuff the mixture into each pepper
4. in a bowl put the flour, milk, yogurt, arrowroot, crumbled stock cube and lime rind/zest & juice. Mix well to a stiff batter.
5.Using your thumb pat the dough into your other hand to make it even thickness then place the stuffed pepper inside. Close the dough over the pepper and then roll in you hand to make a ball. Ensure all of the pepper is covered.
6.Roll in a little oil and then the sesame seeds (I didn't do this so they looked a little anemic..learn from my mistakes to result in a nice golden finish). Pop onto the baking tray.
7. Bake for approx 7 mins and then turn and baste and return to oven for 7-10 mins until crisp.
* Tony & Yyvonne's original recipe made way too much dough/batter for 8 so I changed this up.
Next time I make these I will have a go and tempura them. They'd also be very delicious without the batter and just naked, blushing and bare on a platter...exposing a tantilising flash of the garlic creamed cheese.
OUTTAKES
My first batch - oh dear, extremely tasty yet not fit for exhibition!
From the cookbook VEGAN
3 comments:
Hot, hot, hot! You had me at garlicky cheese. :-)
I love how you were brave enough to put a pic on of your first effort! Thank you for that, because sometimes we think that we are to be perfect the first time around. I also love how you describe a peppadew as a 'grenade in your mouth'. That's pretty awesome. My husband doesn't like spicy food so I am trying to figure out a way to tone these down a bit because I love them so. Thanks again for the recipe. I never thought of breading them, so will give this a try. Love you.
@Anonymous
Hey anonymous! Wow, I LOVED your comment. Thank YOU! Comments make it all worth while. :) Have you tried them yet? The peppardews aren't really all that spicy/hot and you can get a 'mild' version, your husband may like. The 'grenade' comment is more of the full flavours that hit you. Try them...promise, they are delicious. xxxxox
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