BLISTERED SHISHITO PEPPERS & CHERRY TOMATOES

The Japanese shishito pepper has a slightly sweet and very mellow flavor making it a great compliment to sesame seed oil and the tartness of citrus or vinegar.  The shishito pepper is also an excellent source of vitamin C, in fact 1/2 cup of the pepper is said to have over 150% of your daily vitamin C needs. These peppers are a great source of Vitamin A, K and B6. If following a low carbohydrate diet the shishito pepper makes a great low carbohydrate side dish! The average shishito pepper is very mild but it is said that 1 in 10 peppers pack some heat! If looking for some heat be sure to add some cayenne or spicy hot sauce to this recipe!

GATHER

1 6oz package shishito peppers

1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes

1.5 tbsp sesame seed oil

2 tsp honey

1 tbsp orange juice ( I used 1 tbsp Trader Joe’s Yuzu Hot Sauce as well)

2 tsp Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning (or plain roasted sesame seeds)

salt to taste

MAKE

Heat sesame seed oil in large skillet over medium to high heat. Add in peppers and tomatoes and cook on high tossing every few minutes until peppers and tomatoes are evenly browned or about 8 minutes. In the last minute of cooking toss the orange juice, hot sauce and honey into the hot skillet over the tomatoes and peppers and toss to coat the vegetables evenly. Remove from heat and sprinkle with Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel seasoning or with roasted sesame seeds and sea salt to taste and enjoy! Recipe Serves 4.

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 39, Fat 1 g, Carbohydrates 9 g, Protein 1 grams