Roasted Red Capsicum Food

ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• To prepare the bell peppers, position one pepper upright with the base against a cutting board. Using a sharp chef's knife, slice downward, one side at a time, to create four slabs. Use a knife or spoon to remove and discard any membranes still attached to the slabs.
• Place the pepper slabs, skin side facing up, on the prepared sheet in a single layer. Roast the peppers for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking, until the tops are blistering and darkening, and the flesh is easily pierced through with a fork.
• Scoop the peppers into a medium bowl, then cover the bowl with a plate to trap the steam. Set the bowl aside and let the peppers cool until they are comfortable to handle, about 10 to 20 minutes.
• Peel the blistered skin off of each pepper and discard the skins. Use the roasted peppers as desired. Leftover roasted peppers will keep in a jar in the refrigerator, covered, for 7 to 10 days.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the peppers on a baking tray and roast in the oven for about 45 mins until the skins are blackened. Remove from the oven and put into a plastic bag - this makes them sweat and the skins slip off more easily. When cool enough to handle, peel off the skins with your fingers. Slice the peppers open, pick out and discard all the seeds and membrane, then roughly chop the red flesh.
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. When hot, fry the garlic and shallot for a few mins. Add the chopped peppers and continue to fry for a few mins, stirring to combine everything. Add the vegetable stock, bring to the boil, then allow it to reduce a little.
• Pour the contents of the pan into a blender and whizz until smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Depending on the ripeness of the peppers, you shouldn't need any sugar - but if they retain a slightly bitter flavour, return the sauce to the pan, add sugar to taste and let it dissolve over the heat. Serve hot or at room temperature.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450F degrees.
• Wash peppers and cut in half.
• Remove seeds and stems.
• Place upside down (skin side up) on a cookie sheet coated with olive oil spray.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or so, until skin of pepper is seriously black.
• Make sure there are no sparks or actively burning ashes on the peppers and place peppers in a brown bag for about 10-15 minutes. This steams the peppers so the skins easily peel off. Rinsing peppers takes away all the roasted flavor, so don't let me catch you doing that.
• Let cool so you can touch them.
• Skin will peel off easily.
• Cut halves into strips, or however you need them to be cut.
• Now you know how to roast a red pepper!
• Good for: Chicken, cheese sauces, tomato sauces, topped on foccacia bread, or a million other things!
• You can also roast a pepper by placing it directly on the burner of a gas stove (NOT ELECTRIC!) turning with tongs every few minutes till skin is black. Continue with paper bag step.

ROASTED RED CAPSICUM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C and place the capsicums on a baking tray and cook for 15 minutes, or until the skin has blistered and turned slightly black.
• Place the capsicums in a plastic bag until cool.
• Peel the skin off the capsicums, trim any pith and remove all the seeds.
• Place the capsicum flesh into hot sterilised jars.
• Pour in the olive oil to cover.
• Seal immediately and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

ROASTED RED CAPSICUM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut capsicums into quarters, remove the seeds, Grill capsicum skin side up until blackened.
• Cool in a plastic bag for 5-10 minutes.
• Peel away the skin and cut roughly.
• Heat oil in pan; cook onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until soft. Add the tomatoes, parsley and basil, tomato paste, sugar and 375 ml of water.
• Add the chopped capsicum and cook on low heat for 45 minutes to an hour stirring often.
• You can purée this sauce or just have it as it is.
• Serve with chicken.