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Now, while the title of this blog may be "Shepard's Kitchen," I will feature recipes for various appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks from across time, space, and various alternate universes. The first is from a planet called Bajor in the Star Trek universe. Good hasperat is said to "sear the tongue," which this recipe does nicely. The notoriously spicy dish is as fiery as the disposition of one of Star Trek's most famous Bajorans, Major Kira Nerys - Executive Officer of the Federation/Bajoran jointly-controlled space station Deep Space Nine.
You will need:
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 2 1/2 tsp Siracha hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp minced jalapeno pepper*
- 1 bell pepper (green or red...or both) sliced fajita-style
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- Spinach
- Pickles (Captain Sisko recommends spicy pickles)
- Tortillas (burrito-sized)
*Optional
Hasperat traditionally is a vegetarian dish, but if you're looking for protein in your diet, you can add chicken to the recipe. Generally a whole breast, sliced fajita-style, is good for two wraps. Slice and marinate with a simple, 10-minute chipotle-lime marinade. Add some Siracha for extra kick if desired.
Directions:
Combine cream cheese, Siracha, and jalapeno pepper in a bowl. (I tend to just mix it in a tupperware container, since I typically don't use it all in one meal.) The jalapeno pepper is optional, but if you choose to use it, be aware that it adds considerable kick to the cream cheese spread. If you want the spread to be even spicer than it already is, feel free to add more jalapeno or Siracha depending on taste. If you want a milder version, just stick with the Siracha. Also, for safety reasons make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling the jalapeno...and for the love of the Prophets, do NOT touch your eyes or anything sensitive while working with them!
Mix the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper together. This will serve as a tangy, spicy dressing for the bell peppers. Toss the peppers in the dressing. You can add onions to this mix if you so desire. I don't like onions myself, so I don't go to the trouble of making them unless someone specifically requests them.
Warm tortillas in between slightly damp pieces of paper towel in the microwave to make them nice and flexible. Spread the cream cheese mixture all over the tortilla. Layer spinach on one half of the tortilla and add pickles, peppers, chicken, and other desired toppings on top of the spinach. Using only one side of the tortilla will make the wrap easier to roll. Once you have all your ingredients, roll the contents tightly burrito-style, tucking in the ends. Legate Ghemor says that "hasperat is only good when it's warm," so put the completed wrap either on the grill or in a pan to sear for a few minutes. Cut in half, serve and enjoy!
