Chorizo Sandwich with Peppers and Olive Oil Cilantro sauce

Chorizo and Sauteed Pepper Sandwich with Lemony Olive Oil-Cilantro Drizzle

This sausage and pepper sandwich is inspired by Portuguese flavors: bell pepper, onion, garlic, cilantro, lemon, paprika, and chorizo. How can you go wrong with that?

• PREP TIME: 30 minutes TOTAL TIME: 1 hour YIELD: 4 sandwiches

I got some chorizo sausages from D'Artagnan the other day and decided to try this sandwich recipe with them today.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 to 3 fresh red chiles, such as cayenne, Thai, or red jalapeño, stemmed and chopped

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

• 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon hot pimentón (hot smoked Spanish paprika)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

• 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons Portuguese or Spanish extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 red bell pepper, julienned (about 2 cups)

• 1 yellow bell pepper, julienned (about 2 cups)

• 1/2 yellow onion, julienned (about 1 cup)

• Freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning

• 1 1/2 pounds smoked chorizo sausage (or other spicy sausage, such as linguiça or spicy Italian), cut into 6-inch lengths and halved lengthwise (8 pieces)

• Four 6-inch loaves Portuguese stick bread, or four 6-inch sections French bread, split and lightly toasted

DIRECTIONS

• Combine the lemon juice, chile pepper(s), garlic, paprika, pimentón, salt, and 1/4 cup of the cilantro leaves in a blender, and puree. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the 1/3 cup olive oil to form an emulsion, and continue to blend for 1 minute, until the mixture is uniform. Transfer to a small serving bowl and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro. Set aside.

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers, onion, a few generous pinches of salt, and a pinch of black pepper, and cook until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside on a large plate.

• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the sauté pan. Add the sausage, in batches if necessary, and cook until browned and blistered, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the plate with the peppers and onion.

• Arrange the toasted bread on a clean work surface. Place 2 sausage pieces on each bottom half of the bread. Drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the sauce. Divide the pepper-and-onion mixture among the 4 sandwiches, and drizzle a bit more of the sauce on top. Gently press the top halves of the bread over the filling, and serve immediately.