16 votes

What to do with shishito peppers besides blistering or charring?

I bought a bag of shishito peppers to replicate a blistered appetizer from a restaurant. Do they also work well in curries, stews, stir frys or chilis? Every recipe online I've found (minus a shrimp sinigang) is pretty much the same cooking method, just different seasoning. 😅

13 comments

  1. [3]
    Acorn_CK
    Link
    Truth, haven't used shishito myself, but have cooked with plenty of other peppers. After looking up a little: for sure, stir-frying will be good. Worth adding to the next stir-fry you try. The...

    Truth, haven't used shishito myself, but have cooked with plenty of other peppers. After looking up a little: for sure, stir-frying will be good. Worth adding to the next stir-fry you try.

    The other notable suggestion was tempura-fried shishito, if you're looking to have them stand on their own rather than play support. I gather they're not particularly spicy, so if you really want to go hard on shishito, you could also make a shishito sauce to dip the tempura-shishito in.

    8 votes
    1. teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      I use shishito for stir fry all of the time. Just cut into little rings, don’t worry too much about removing the seeds, and you’re good.

      I use shishito for stir fry all of the time. Just cut into little rings, don’t worry too much about removing the seeds, and you’re good.

      5 votes
    2. chizcurl
      Link Parent
      Thank you and @teaearlgraycold for the stir-fry confidence! Fried shishito peppers with shishito dip also sound great. 🤤

      Thank you and @teaearlgraycold for the stir-fry confidence! Fried shishito peppers with shishito dip also sound great. 🤤

      1 vote
  2. [2]
    Freudianslipservice
    Link
    You can use them in the same way you can use other green peppers. I find they have a very distinct, slightly bitter flavor that dominates sautéed and stir fry dishes they are in. I grew an...

    You can use them in the same way you can use other green peppers. I find they have a very distinct, slightly bitter flavor that dominates sautéed and stir fry dishes they are in. I grew an accidental batch last year with 3 out of 10 having heat. They did have a chance to cross pollinate with serranos, though.

    6 votes
    1. chizcurl
      Link Parent
      Good to know, thanks! I was curious about the flavor profile they would bring to other dishes. I also usually find one or two random hot shishito peppers out of the bunch!

      Good to know, thanks! I was curious about the flavor profile they would bring to other dishes. I also usually find one or two random hot shishito peppers out of the bunch!

      3 votes
  3. [4]
    phoenixrises
    Link
    When I was in Japan, a bar I went to used it in a cocktail! I'm pretty sure you still have to roast them still though so not too sure if that's what you're looking for lol.

    When I was in Japan, a bar I went to used it in a cocktail! I'm pretty sure you still have to roast them still though so not too sure if that's what you're looking for lol.

    5 votes
    1. chizcurl
      Link Parent
      Oooh infused in a drink sounds delicious! Maybe I can use it in a spicy margarita. 🤔

      Oooh infused in a drink sounds delicious! Maybe I can use it in a spicy margarita. 🤔

      2 votes
    2. [2]
      Akir
      Link Parent
      That seems really weird to me. Doesn't shishito have varying spice levels? You'd have to put in a few peppers to make the flavors consistent.

      That seems really weird to me. Doesn't shishito have varying spice levels? You'd have to put in a few peppers to make the flavors consistent.

      1 vote
      1. chizcurl
        Link Parent
        I ended up throwing some shishitos into curry and my bf put the rest in a wrap. While I was stirring the pot, I suddenly thought that maybe the peppers would go better in a highball lol. The heat...

        I ended up throwing some shishitos into curry and my bf put the rest in a wrap. While I was stirring the pot, I suddenly thought that maybe the peppers would go better in a highball lol. The heat factor is pretty unreliable! My stewed/oxidized peppers are quite bitter while the blanched ones I set aside have retained a vegetal flavor closer to green bell pepper.

        2 votes
  4. [2]
    gpl
    Link
    I have had a corn and shishito soup before which was pretty good, although I think the peppers are still seared even there.

    I have had a corn and shishito soup before which was pretty good, although I think the peppers are still seared even there.

    3 votes
    1. chizcurl
      Link Parent
      Love the corn soup idea! I'm not opposed to searing or fire roasting the peppers to develop flavor before using them in a different end product, so to speak.

      Love the corn soup idea! I'm not opposed to searing or fire roasting the peppers to develop flavor before using them in a different end product, so to speak.

      1 vote
  5. [2]
    tomf
    (edited )
    Link
    This looks interesting. Shishito Pepper–Pistachio Dip Full Recipe Ingredients ⅔cup raw pistachios 6 scallions, chopped 12oz. shishito peppers (about 5 cups), seeds removed, coarsely chopped 4 cups...

    This looks interesting.

    Shishito Pepper–Pistachio Dip

    Full Recipe

    Ingredients

    • â…”cup raw pistachios
    • 6 scallions, chopped
    • 12oz. shishito peppers (about 5 cups), seeds removed, coarsely chopped
    • 4 cups carrot tops or parsley leaves with tender stems
    • 1 toasted nori sheet, coarsely torn
    • 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
    • 2 Tbsp. white soy sauce
    • ½ cup soft tofu (preferably Meiji Supreme)
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • Crunchy vegetables (such as carrots, radishes, celery, and/or cucumbers; for serving)

    INGREDIENT INFO

    White soy sauce, also known as white shoyu, is lighter in color and flavor than standard soy sauce. It can be found at Japanese markets, in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets, and online.

    Preparation

    1. Preheat oven to 350°. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool; set aside.
    2. Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Boil scallions, peppers, and carrot tops until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water and let cool. Drain and squeeze out as much excess water with your hands as possible. Transfer to a plate and chill in freezer 5 minutes (this will keep the dip bright green).
    3. Finely grind nori in a blender; transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out blender, then blend vinegar, soy sauce, and reserved nuts in blender until nuts are coarsely chopped. Add chilled vegetable mixture along with tofu and blend, streaming in oil, until very smooth (this may take up to 4 minutes, depending on your blender). If mixture seems thick, add 1 Tbsp. water to loosen.
    4. Transfer dip to a bowl and sprinkle with nori powder. Serve with vegetables alongside for dipping.
    1. chizcurl
      Link Parent
      Oh cool, this dip seems original. It's got a lot going on in terms of different flavors being added, but I'll keep it in mind for a future dip!

      Oh cool, this dip seems original. It's got a lot going on in terms of different flavors being added, but I'll keep it in mind for a future dip!

      1 vote