4 Levels of Stuffed Peppers: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Negeen, home cook Heather, and professional chef Saul Montiel from Cantina Rooftop - to prepare us their best stuffed peppers recipe. Once each level of chef had presented their creation, we asked food scientist Rose to explain their choices from an expert's perspective. Which pepper would you pick to please your palate with?
Chef Saul is on Instagram at @chefsaulmontiel
Keep up with Rose at @rosemarytrout_foodscience
Looking for Heather? @hmclinton
Find Negeen on Instagram at @negeendargahi
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4 Levels of Stuffed Peppers: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

[@marioahner1243]

"hey, I'm Nageen and I'm a level 1 chef" "I'm Heather, I'm a level 2 chef" "Hi, I'm here alone in my kitchen" Gotta love Saul!!

[@starfthegreat]

*Better Call

[@aayushk2845]

the cell phone shape XD. 10/10

[@funkyburns3606]

He is a huge vibe tbh

[@zainabjamal1966]

Agreed

[@tabach9388]

he's def the best level 3 chef from epicurious

[@bhee3174]

Chef Saul: does it make sense to you No?? Well it makes sense to me

[@haisesasaki3944]

I get what he means.. we do the same thing to eggplants when we're making Baba Ghanouge

[@laraanne8484]

Hes so funny 😂

[@nightnavin]

Chef Saul is awesome

[@standout47]

Let’s not forget the statement right before that. What are we going to do with this beautiful poblano pepper? “We’re going to burn the crap out of it” lol

[@H3LL0FR1END5]

-Saul 2020

[@cemocan166]

That's actually an interesting approach: it's more one dish from three different cultures rather than different levels.

[@JavZub]

While I agree with you on the culture thing, Chiles en Nogada are quite technical (as in no newbie should attempt to make them). There is a difference in complexity as well.

[@nikbow3353]

Yeah, as a balkan guy ive never seen anyone make stuffed peppers in any of these ways

[@josefplacek4200]

We have our way of making stuffed peppers in Czechia aswell.

[@brcha]

@@nikbow3353 Wtf are you talking about? In Serbia we make stuffed peppers mostly the same way as the Iranian girl did (for example, like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqKWpGx-rsaZe5o ). We also have a variant like the Chiles en Nogada, but I've seen that only stuffed with cheese (will try the Mexican version, sounds quite interesting). Here's a video of that as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHTbiZaApKqcqtk

[@nikokurk]

I'd go so far as to say they are completely different dishes. I'm familiar with the Mediterranean way the "amatuer" made. That's how they make them in Greece and Turkey as well as the Balkans. Not to say I don't think they're lovely but the other methods are not what I think of when I think of stuffed peppers. Certainly you would not use pork in the eastern Mediterranean or North African regions.

[@varessi3810]

When there’s a Mexican dish to cook YOU KNOW SAUL WILL BE THERE

[@abdullaal-dabbagh8844]

Ikr

[@MUTFAGINIZDAYIM]

@@abdullaal-dabbagh8844 kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6W7hpWQpbqHqNk

[@radosawzygowski5444]

Better call Saul!

[@graveside1555]

@@radosawzygowski5444 😂👌

[@andresnietogonzalez6931]

Ps obvio, el compadre saul

[@infinitecoasters8769]

That level 1 is the most advanced level 1 I’ve seen yet.

[@arionna22]

That’s because she’s a persian level one 😂

[@sina2403]

@@arionna22 true🤣

[@strangerdanger1271]

The same cannot be said for her tattoo artist.

[@user-tp3se6np5k]

Yeah and as a Persian this is the right way

[@Li1t]

Yeah, we've got two level 2 chefs this time. I'm cool with that.

[@khoiplaysguitar]

"A little bit for the blender, and a little bit for me" Y'all I love Saul so much

[@teampenit]

"It's my life, I do what I want!"

[@jennykc98]

“Hello I’m here alone in my kitchen” -Me, when I’m craving a late night snack 🤣

[@theuqgirl8952]

@HUNGRYFoodie that’s sooo true 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍🏻

[@AnosmicGio]

Comparing Sauls first video to now he seems way more comfortable being on camera and having a good time. I love that for him

[@radostalina]

And he is not that much afraid of his mom seeing him cook:)

[@tamtrangvu3296]

"We're going to burn the crap out of it" Cannot stop laughing

[@kazubbyboi]

love how saul introduces the vegetables like he caught a pokemon

[@punmaster1059]

“Butter because butter... just butter” Me: Yes

[@Jolluna]

Yes

[@user-nv4gh2zw2u]

Fair point tho

[@tomato6844]

Saul: I use this pepper because it is cell phone shaped. Me: I mean, you can't argue with that.

[@skylar7454]

Lol

[@nicolewu3532]

I died when he said that

[@jahlasam]

member when level 1s were people put ketchup and whole cheesecakes on all their dishes? pepperidge farm remembers.

[@HelgaCavoli]

Was thinking about that. Now I consider myself a zero level chef. 0,5 chef tops.

[@TolaAlfrunKikula]

Cheesecake pancakes... just saying. xD

[@tanishaparamba5806]

Is it just me or was there literally no difference between the level 1 and 2 chef? They just made different dishes? It's not like the Level 1 took any shortcuts or anything like that. She seemed like a perfectly good cook to me...

[@McSnezzly]

I think level two used more complicated ingredients and experimented with flavor a little more. Level one is a pretty simple recipe

[@mjbaldwin]

Level 1 was basically just a normal stuffed pepper. Level 2 made it fancy by using seafood and nicer garnishes/presentation.

[@nathaliaporra]

Yeah, I noticed it too. Level 1 used to be someone clueless and real fun to watch. Now they learned or are preparing better for it. I was very impressed on using lamb and basil, beginner woldn't think of that.

[@Anon-th9je]

I could see a difference in technique, especially cutting. And she also seemed less experienced and confident, as if she was just following a recipe pretty closely. Over time and with some practice she’ll be level 2 for sure though

[@illyamt6063]

I also felt that. The "Level 1" chef is experienced and confident. The "Level 2" is more experienced but her cooking lacked that special thing that turns a Tasty Dish into a Heather's Tasty Dish. I would say that both or them are "Level 1.5"

[@MissEsme90]

When you need a level three chef, you Better Call Saul

[@NavyBlueVinyl]

This! ️👆

[@JavZub]

Nice

[@jod3517]

Underrated comment

[@mala967]

I miss the old one too

[@vincentcordi]

Yes cause frank left epicurious

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaa624]

According to Sual his mom is a level 10 chef

[@EmmanuelFreytes]

*SAUL*

[@gf_real]

Sual

[@user-nv4gh2zw2u]

And his abuela is level 1000000

[@nanxitha1]

🤣

[@VicenzoVengeance]

And his bisabuela invented mexican cuisine

[@bendierking6986]

Saul has been in a lot of these recently. Saul is the new Frank. I'm cool with it.

[@BriannaC7]

Saul’s confidence and personality has shown even more since his first appearance and I love it 🥺

[@madeiintokyyo9139]

saul ALWAYS looks happy and proud of his dishes and that's inspiring!!

[@frisco9568]

🇲🇽

[@madeiintokyyo9139]

@@frisco9568 YES

[@ChibiCosmos]

I want Lorenzo and Saul to do the $100 meal swap

[@hillaryfuller5204]

WE NEED THIS!

[@Akamatsu_kei]

YES! THEY DEFINITELY SHOULD DO IT SOMEDAY💕💕

[@gameexpert2011]

Lorenzo and King should do a meal swap. King looks like the evolved version of Lorenzo if they were Pokemons.

[@indianpotatofarmer6508]

I like the way U think

[@Katherine-od9cy]

YES PLEASE

[@vm6366]

Me: How do you make a dish delicious? Chef Saul: FRY IT

[@evelym_here]

Yes!

[@emilyjaap9190]

IS HE WRONG??? 🤣 love Saul

[@risksandhope1849]

Make sure you burn it. But don't make it burnt, obviously

[@thetrashtrain3774]

Hes right tho All the best stuff is born in the frying pan

[@victorhe9600]

It's kind of interesting seeing people cook in their houses, and not at your place.

[@izzy-ky9yz]

I feel like the cooks are more open and personal, and allow their personalities through as well! I think they're probably a lot more comfortable in their own surroundings using their own utensils/tools etc.

[@fjr.abdillah]

1:54 "so important to get prevent for burning, you have to keep turning, So when we cook it, and we want to burn it, But we wanna make sure doesn't taste burned" Wait I didn't know Chef Saul can rap

[@safe2738]

If I had an opportunity to eat from any of the chefs on Epicurious, I'd choose Saul.

[@Mike-mt4ln]

Saul or king

[@ottmarmontes]

Same.

[@lucysrz3496]

I love that Saul has Valentina and Tajin in his kitchen like a good mexican

[@asetmuratuly2930]

Level 1 is too qualified to be level 1

[@zlaja.zivic98]

Finally someone saying this, she is also too bland for level one chef.

[@raymondlai6745]

Did not use cheesecake. Proceed straight to level 2, please.

[@adaephon]

Except for the knife skills I agree, lol

[@KryticalMass]

She's a real level 1 before Emily and the cheesecake guy all the level 1s were like this.

[@lizannefy]

Chef Saul needs his own show! He's SO entertaining!

[@samsepiol_fs]

So if you ever need a Level 3 Chef that pretty much knows a whole lot about Mexican culture and cuisine... Better Call Saul!

[@_sty__le7433]

Seeing Saul pop up just makes me feel like everything will be ok

[@marcusoettinger8151]

It’s Saul food.

[@HardImpactInc]

It warms the heart and soothes the Saul

[@r0secm]

put this on Saul's merch

[@mnels5214]

made with heart and Saul

[@Boiokgogi]

better call saul !

[@xxaviermmxx]

This is underrrated comment

[@AcidifiedMammoth]

I bet Frank is out there somewhere collecting Infinity Stones to create a new universe.

[@blackgoldeventsltd.427]

I think so too 🤣🤣🤣

[@JAMES-bu1lv]

😂😂😂😂😂😀

[@mrvelic8523]

Nah he is watering his pepper plants

[@hillaryfuller5204]

He's tending to his pickled vegetables collection

[@strawberrycourtclown]

Ah, Saúl. A true Mexican man of culture. A Chile en nogada, one of my definite favorites!

[@yoshitheonly]

I freaking love Chef Saul. Sigue compartiendo la cultura, hermano! ✊🏼

[@Metzli]

0:10 Ok, as soon as he said "I'm here alone in my kitchen" with that tone and accent, I knew he was going to be funny xD

[@marysmith4909]

OMG I need Stephen, Julie and Saul in my life to cook! They are the new trifecta!

[@evolvedcopper2205]

"A little bit for the blender, a little bit for me" this man is a legend 😂

[@chilibreath]

Level 1 & 2 - I'm going to cut my bell pepper. Level 3 - First, I'm gonna burn the crap out of it! I love Saul.

[@tigerz8174]

I want to try all dishes. But if I was a culinary student, I want Saul as my instructor!!! Also when at the store, remember to ask produce where the cell phone peppers are 😅🤣😂 Saul is awesome!!

[@yuvrajbhitrikoti9585]

KZbin really getting comfortable with these double unskippable ads.

[@ELGlueckert]

Adblock+ is your friend, if you're on PC.

[@HelgaCavoli]

Consider KZbin Premium, you're going to pay it either way (watching add or directly paying), you never see an add again (I was reminded by you just now), downloading in wi-fi to watch later is also nice.

[@SpareSomeChange8080]

Also KZbin Vanced if you're on your phone. You shouldn't have to pay to block adverts hogging your time or data.

[@sunrae7680]

I hate the ones that are 10 or 15 minutes.

[@tenshiangelina]

I close the video and open it again, the ads disappear

[@AKenyanMax]

12:50 Negeen: Mmmm! Heather: Oh yeah! This is good stuff! Saul: I love SAUL!!!! XD

[@eajackerman2859]

Chef Saul's low-key humor is such a favorite

[@cuddlelina]

Yeah Saúl You already know you'll have a good time watching this when Saúl is in the preview

[@mokster5]

Really interesting seeing three different cuisines' take on stuffed peppers. I feel like Saul really can't lead us wrong, everything he makes looks incredible.

[@michiet1142]

Chef Saul is just too funny😂😂

[@TwinMama828]

Sauls pepper is the same one from “Like Water for Chocolate “ I loved that book and movie. I wish I could try that dish one day. So romantic

[@albaykristian625]

Yeeesss. I love every kind of chiles rellenos, but chiles en nogada, rule. Come to Mexico. We'll eat real tacos, mole, chiles rellenos and we won't drink tequila, sice you got the essence of that book, I think you are ready for mezcal.

[@bonneil2506]

No one: Everyone who gets tongs: *claps it before use.*

[@shinobu-39]

That's the proper way to use them

[@ImxAngie]

Saúl made making a Chile en nogada look SO easy with his attitude, when in reality it’s one of the most complex dishes México has, with loads of ingredients and several steps. Its very rare that restaurants even serve it, because of how time consuming it is to make. It’s actually the national dish of Mexico!

[@NaturalFlirtGamer]

"If I had to change something in this dish, it would be..... Nothing! Nada!" Chef Saul is wonderful!

[@shrutakeertidas6128]

"Little bit for the blender, little bit for me" Oh god I love this chef! 😂❤️

[@mughwortslongshot4545]

“We are going to burn the crap out of it” 💀

[@eliaslehtinen14]

"We want some nice coloring here" Nice coloring: charcoal black

[@isrockcarmona6837]

The process is called "tatemar", and it basically is gettting any vegetable. With skin over the fire/charcoal/ember/etc and let only the skin burn, when it burns, it makes it not only easier to remove the skin but it also pre-cooks the flesh of your vegetable, making it. Easier to either stuff it, sautte it or making it into a molcajete sauce

[@eliaslehtinen14]

@@isrockcarmona6837 Thanks for the information!

[@PistolPete2141]

@@isrockcarmona6837 I didn't know that it did that, I thought it just made it taste good.

[@DLTsandwich]

I love chiles en nogada. I’ve only had them ones in my life tho. It was a cold day so my boyfriend and i decided to stop by at a random restaurant In one of the cabins of Mazamitlan, JalIsco. With some hot chocolate. I’ll never forget that day 💓

[@Tyler-eq6hp]

Saul and Frank are my favorites. Hopefully there will be a video featuring just them

[@SniperAlias1]

Saul is definitely one of my favorites. The loving humour of this man

[@safieraalli2157]

"what we gonna do with this beautiful pepper, is the burn the crap out of it". this guy is so entertaining to watch.

[@XxKristixX92]

I LOVE SAUL!! Next time I’m in NY I’m going straight to Cantina Rooftop!!!

[@GUYZEPPELIN]

Why did the pepper say no to dessert? It was stuffed :/

[@ismanurafifah202]

That's a good one

[@syedrehanfida]

Good one! :D

[@hillaryfuller5204]

Literally just blew my mind with this one lol

[@titan5045]

SAULS BACCCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

[@DS-ff6ze]

LTD_The Odds Saul on an epicurious video is an event. I stopped what i was doing today to watch them

[@titan5045]

@@DS-ff6ze Same I dropped what I was doing just to see this and then I saw Saul and got so excited

[@radostalina]

It's interesting how almost every country has stuffed peppers! In Russia we also do them, but in broth

[@mnels5214]

That sounds awesome! What do you stuff them with?

[@alinatemirova3842]

@@mnels5214 usually we put ground meat (beef/pork) with rice, and then boil them in water with vegetables, such as onion, tomato, carrots and potatoes. It's very convenient to stuff them in advance and freeze them to cook later

[@IzamINR]

@@alinatemirova3842 So, do u stuffed the pepper 1st then if u wanna save it u can put in refrigerator so u can cook it later in broth?

[@alinatemirova3842]

@@IzamINR yes, but better put it in the freezer, and when you want to cook it you put it in the broth frozen, more or less like this

[@alinatemirova3842]

@@IzamINR btw I created a Russian cooking channel (Dinner with Alina) and I will make it there probably in November. This dish is very tasty, I love it!

[@jestemqiqi7647]

Saul: "We're gonna burn the crap out of it" I just love this-

[@sarakunselman7484]

Saul is my all-time favorite. His one-liners kill me every time! Please don't ever change Saul!

[@anar.3281]

Saul randomly switching some words to spaish is just so unique, he has a ton of personality in his cooking too

[@Cissrawk]

Saul's smile cure my depressions.

[@snowyJake]

Level 1’s knife skills actually have me scared for her fingers wtf

[@fatemehahmadiparnian6332]

@Ian Robertson its because she is Persian,Persian women are great chefs

[@trnb3133]

I was just thinking that she too good for level one lol

[@SCP-up4ot]

Level 3 chef is a freaking legend. What a hilarious man. What a god

[@myawoods1435]

Saul “ I’m here alone in my kitchen “ 😂😂😭❤️

[@MrsRen]

Saul's Spanglish is my favorite part of this. It's how you know he's being real and not trying to script anything.

[@Hope12Grace90]

It was so cute the way Saul ladled the sauce on the pepper, like covering it in blanket!

[@moriadwarf27kurzeganot90]

Saul's dishes always look mouth-watering

[@Chanel_Number5]

Saul is hands down one of my fav level 3 chef! His personality is top tier

[@anaosorno5148]

We all love Saul's energy. That said, y'all NEED to try a Chile en nogada at least once, it is HEAVEN

[@lilyb07]

As soon as i saw Saul, i knew the others had no chance

[@karolreutter5168]

the spoon drop after tasting the sauce! Saul you are killing me mate😂😂

[@GoddessRoxy]

Negeen and Heather were fine, but I definitely felt like I spent the entire episode just waiting for Saul to come back. Freaking gold.

[@bryantan4228]

Does anyone notice that the level 3 one looks like it’s sleeping? The herbs are hair and the sauce is a blanket.

[@geovannacampos6794]

Negeen's kitchen is just so Pinterest perfection

[@jophielzap9704]

Saul is one of the best and entertaining chefs in the internet

[@MikuruChan123]

Heh. So happy to see Chef Saul is also a fan of the deli containers. Mise en place in deli containers was basically my life in culinary school. Never enough bowls to go around!

[@tyler8370]

“For the pepper we have to burn the crap out of it” 😂 LMAO

[@gracieminabox]

Saul is so adorable. I want to be his best friend and also for him to teach me everything he knows.

[@eltonjohnoyog3621]

Thank you Saul for existing in this world. You are such a ray of sunshine. 😭❤️

[@Aspoooonful]

Love Saul, and I love that professionals use metric measurements.

[@mohammedahmed5349]

I love chef Saul he needs his own show!

[@oogaandboogainc762]

"Granada, we call this a grenade in mexico" I love saul's humor 😂

[@limepop340]

How is this _his_ humor? “Granada” refers to both a pomegranate and an explosive. That’s just a fact.

[@nightingale4786]

@@limepop340 it's all in his delivery! obviously it's a fact, but the way he acted like the pomegranate in his hand was a grenade was goofy and funny

[@jodidonaldson2923]

Love chef 3. Everything he makes you can see is with love.

[@lunacurro414]

I’m living for Saul’s energy

[@jr.smiththehennessygod2249]

Level three chef “We are going to burn the crap out of it. So to prevent from burining you have it keep turning. So we want to cook it and we want to burn it, but we gonna make sure it doesn’t taste like burnt. Does that make any sense?” Viewers: .......

[@MorganaMECANICA]

Me, a Latina: yes, it makes sense 😂😂

[@retonito92]

The best lesson ever: we’re going to burn the crap out of it. I freaking love Saul.

[@cyberbar20]

I'm 49 secs into the video and I'm already in love with the Mexican chef!!🌶🫑

[@marianalvarado8828]

I love this series! It showcases not only different levels but different approaches from other cultures. Chef Saul is always my favorite tho haha he is really cool!

[@snapbacksc6726]

Saul's dish itself resembles the Mexican flag.

[@Bojoschannel]

Yeah, that's why it was made to celebrate our country's independence

[@tenshiangelina]

That is absolutely the idea

[@eggsaucee]

This is why Saul is the best lvl 3 chef 2:18 “let it rest for like 5 minutes” instead of people being like soak it for 5 days and freeze it for a week

[@Alwerien]

Wow, these are all vastly different from what I know as stuffed peppers. Can't really imagine the taste since my body hates them but they all look great. Especially Saul's layers of love.

[@belen-1808]

Honestly, i see no difference between level 1 and 2, they’re both awesome

[@DirtyyDuster1]

“Does that make sense no, well it does make sense to me” I love you Saul😂

[@anabustos6926]

"RELEASE ALL THE STRESS!"😂😂

[@michaelzimmerman8240]

I liked the video as soon as I saw Chef Saul. He's the best instructor because of his humor, all the best teachers are.

[@argr2343]

I love it! It’s also a traditional dish in Campania (Italy), but we only use red and yellow bell-peppers and we stuff them with stale bread, peeled tomatoes, capers, black olives, parsley, a tiny drop of extra virgin olive oil and a garlic glove! Sometimes we also add buffalo mozzarella. However, all these versions look so tasty!

[@Dannyzors]

Saul just gave his pepper a sauce-blanket 😭

[@pivotmundi]

It's awesome hoy Saul it's getting a little bit more confident in each video, and every time it's better!!

[@Rucha599]

Woahh...I want to try all three dishes😢

[@eril7292]

Love that consome,Valentina and tajin in the background Saul