Roasted Pepper Salad With Feta Pine Nuts Basil Recipes

ROASTED PEPPER SALAD WITH CAPERS & PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Turn on the grill and line a baking tray with foil. Arrange the peppers, skin-side up, on the baking tray and brush with oil. Grill for 10-15 mins, turning, until skins are well charred. Put the peppers in a plastic bag and seal for 5 mins to loosen the skins.
• Meanwhile, crush the garlic and a generous pinch of salt to a paste using a pestle and mortar. Add the vinegar and oil, and blend to make a dressing. Strip the skins and seeds from the peppers, then quarter. Put the flesh in a bowl or food container. Pour over the dressing and scatter with the

ROASTED BELL PEPPER SALAD WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place all bell peppers in large bowl. Pour 6 tablespoons oil over peppers; toss to coat. Place peppers, cut side down, on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Sprinkle with salt. Roast until peppers are soft and slightly blackened, about 1 hour, reversing sheets after 30 minutes. Cool slightly; peel, if desired. Cut peppers into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Transfer to large bowl; add accumulated juices from baking sheets. Add 3 tablespoons vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; toss gently. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.) Drain peppers; discard juices. Transfer peppers to platter. Season with salt, pepper and more vinegar, if desired. Toss gently; sprinkle with pine nuts.

ROASTED-PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake off the excess water. Meanwhile, place the bell peppers cut-side down on a foil-lined broiler pan, add the garlic and broil until charred, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover and set aside about 5 minutes. Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds and toast, shaking the pan, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Squeeze the garlic from its skin onto a cutting board. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt; mince and mash the garlic into a paste with a large knife. Peel the roasted peppers and slice into strips; transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic paste and drizzle with the olive oil. Finely grate about 1 teaspoon lemon zest into the bowl and squeeze in all of the lemon juice. Add the bocconcini, basil, almonds, pasta, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; toss.
• Photographs by Antonis Achilleos

ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
• Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
• Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.

ROASTED PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Place the peppers directly on the burner of a gas stove over high heat or on a grill. Just as each section turns puffy and black, turn the peppers with tongs to prevent overcooking. (If you don't have a gas stove, place the peppers on a baking pan, and broil in the oven, turning as each side becomes charred.) Spread peppers on a baking sheet and let cool.
• When peppers are cool enough to handle, halve peppers crosswise and remove stems, ribs, and seeds; scrape away charred skin. Slice peppers into 1-inch-thick strips and transfer to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine.
• Using the flat side of a large knife, crush garlic. Sprinkle garlic with salt and continue crushing with the flat side of the knife until a paste is formed. Add to bowl with peppers, along with capers and vinegar. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until well combined. Let salad stand at room temperature until ready to serve.
• To serve salad, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with more oil, if desired. Garnish with olives and basil.