Peppers Stuffed with Orzo and Sharp Cheddar Cheese
from Rolling Prairie Cookbook
4 large bell peppers
1/2 cup orzo, cooked, and drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 small onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 tablespoons white wine or water
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Cut the tops from the peppers, remove the interior ribs and seeds. Save the tops-these will be chopped up and added to the filling. Very lightly steam or blanch the peppers-they should still be bright green and firm. Remove from steamer basket or water, turn upside down and allow to drain while you prepare the filling.
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, zucchini, and the chopped pepper tops. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the white wine or water. Cover, and steam over medium heat for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove from heat. Toss in the cooked orzo, parsley, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Carefully toss in the cheese.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place whole peppers upright in a small baking dish. Divide the filling in four and stuff the peppers. Pour 1/4 cup water in the bottom of the pan with the peppers and cover. Bake until peppers are just tender-crisp, and stuffing is thoroughly warmed, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Remove peppers carefully from baking dish and allow to sit on a plate for 5 minutes before serving-this will allow excess water to drain.
Serves 4.
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
from Simply in Season Cookbook
4 green, yellow, orange, or red sweet peppers—Cut 1/2 inch off the top of the peppers and discard seeds. Steam whole peppers in 1 inch boiling water until tender, about 5-8 minutes. Remove peppers from water and set aside.
1/3 Cup onion (chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
In large frypan sauté in 1 TBSP oil
2 Cups Tomatoes (Chopped)
1 Jalapeno pepper (minced after seeds removed)
2 TBSP fresh parsley (chopped)
1 TBSP fresh Oregano (Chopped: or 1tsp dried))
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 Bay leaf
Add and cook 5 minutes.
2 Cups corn
1 1/2 Cups cooked Black Beans
Add and simmer 10 minutes. Place peppers in oven-proof dish so that they stand upright, with cut ends up. Stuff peppers with vegetable mixture. Any extra filling can be placed in dish next to peppers.
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
Sprinkle on top. Bake at 350F to heat through, 20 minutes.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
From Angelic Organics
Served hot or cold, this soup is packed with a savory-sweet roasted pepper flavor that might have you skipping the main course and opting for a second bowl of soup instead. Serves 4 to 6
3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small potato, quartered
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons)
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon fresh oregano or thyme, or 1/2 tablespoon dried, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon tomato paste
4 large red bell peppers, roasted, skinned, chopped
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock or water
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or more to taste
freshly ground black pepper
salt
freshly grated Parmesan cheese and croutons (optional)
1. Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, potato, garlic, bay leaf, and herbs; sauté until potato and onion begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the roasted peppers, paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in stock or water and scrape up any of the flavorful caramelized pieces stuck to the bottom of the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer; cook, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
3. Purée soup in a blender or food processor or run it through a food mill. Return it to the pot and heat until warmed through. Add the balsamic vinegar and a few grindings of fresh black pepper. Taste; add salt if desired.
4. Garnish each serving with some Parmesan, a little fresh herb, and croutons if desired.
Bell Peppers Lemonly Dressed and Cumin-esque
from Angelic Organics Kitchen (adapted from Recipes from a Kitchen Garden)
This versatile recipe will add just the right amount of color to any dish in need of some visual pizzazz. What’s more, the lemony cumin in the peppers will pizzazzify the flavors on your plate.
Serves 4.
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 red or purple bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 green or yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon) (optional)
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions or red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers; sauté, stirring until slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Let cool.
2. Combine the remaining oil, lemon juice, parsley, cumin, honey, and garlic in a large jar. With the lid tightly screwed on, shake the jar vigorously until the oil and vinegar have combined and thickened.
3. Toss the peppers and scallions or red onion with the vinaigrette in a large bowl; add the salt and season with pepper to taste. Cover; refrigerate for 1 hour.
Mediterranean Roasted Corn and Pepper Relish
from Salsas, Sambals, Chutneys, & Chow Chows Cookbook
This goes well with fish, over pasta, or on a bed of lettuce.
2 cups corn kernels (3 ears of corn)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
3 roasted red bell peppers, cut into thin slices
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 tsp minced garlic
¼ cup virgin olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
Rub the corn lightly with the vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the corn over a low fire. To check the fire temperature, hold your hand about 5 inches above the grilling surface. If you can hold it there for 1 to 2 seconds, you have a hot fire; 3 to 4 seconds, a medium fire; and 5 to 6 seconds, a low fire. Longer than that, and your fire is too cool. Roll the ears around with your tongs to be sure they cook evenly, until the corn is slightly charred, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the ears from the grill and, as soon as they are cool enough to handle, slice the kernels off the cobs. In a large bowl, mix the kernels together with all the remaining ingredients. This will keep for 4 to 5 days.
Anaheim Chilies filled with corn, cheddar, and cilantro
Adapted from Gourmet Magazine
4 Anaheim Chilies 2 Ears of Corn (2 Cups Kernels)
1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 Jalapeno, seeded and diced
1/2 Cup Onion 1/4 Cup Water
2 oz. Cheddar Cheese (1/2 Cup) 1 Tbsp Cilantro, Chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375. Grill or roast anaheims, let cool, and peel skin off. Cut lengthwise, remove seeds, and sprinkle with salt. While anaheims are grilling or roasting, sauté onions for 3 minutes, then add corn, jalapeno, and water. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Set aside and cool. Toss corn mixture with cilantro, cheese, and 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper. Stuff mixture into chilies and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
