Spiced Peppers Recipes

CRISPY SPICED CHICKPEAS WITH PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees and arrange racks on the top and bottom thirds of the oven.
• In a large bowl, toss chickpeas with 2 tablespoons oil, the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt until evenly coated. Spread onto a rimmed sheet pan in a single layer and top with 3 thyme sprigs.
• On a second sheet pan, combine bell peppers, tomatoes, onion, jalapeños and remaining thyme sprigs with 2 tablespoons oil and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread vegetables into one layer.
• Place chickpea pan on the bottom rack and vegetables on the top rack and roast for 10 minutes. Switch pan positions. Roast chickpeas until crisped but still tender, about 5 minutes, and roast vegetables until golden brown, about 10 minutes. If the vegetables are tender but not browned, place the pan under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to caramelize. Discard thyme sprigs.
• While the chickpeas and vegetables roast, whisk lemon juice, garlic and remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small bowl. Season with salt to taste.
• Arrange vegetables on a large platter and drizzle with half the dressing, then top with crispy chickpeas, fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle remaining dressing over everything. Serve with couscous or rice, if you like.

ROASTED PEPPERS WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place peppers, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Divide garlic among peppers. Sprinkle with oregano and season with salt and pepper. Roast until flesh is tender and skin is blistered in spots, 35 minutes. Transfer peppers to a platter and top with a small handful torn basil leaves.

SPICY STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook peppers in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Combine ground beef, onion, rice and seasonings; spoon into peppers. Place in a greased baking dish; top with picante sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.

SPICY PEPPER AND ONION

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute bell pepper and sweet onion in hot oil until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir mushrooms and garlic into the pepper mixture; cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir Worcestershire sauce, parsley, ketchup, basil, turmeric, red pepper flakes, cumin, and cayenne pepper into the pepper mixture. Place cover on the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until mixture thickens, 20 to 30 minutes. If mixture is too dry, add water and stir.

SPICED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Roast peppers in a 400 degree oven until blackened on all sides. Remove from oven to a plastic bag and allow to cool. Peel, seed and slice peppers, reserving juice. Place peppers with juice in a bowl and add cumin, red pepper flakes, garlic and salt to taste. Let stand for 1 hour, covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. Serve with spicy sausages or barbecued meats.

SPICED PEPPER PILAFS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan with a lid. Add the onion, garlic and ginger, then gently cook for 5 mins until softened. Stir in the tomato purée and spices, and cook for 1 min more. Add the rice, stir to coat, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, tip in the lentils, cover with the lid and leave to cook over a low heat for 15 mins, until the lentils and rice are cooked. Stir through the spinach and mint (see tip below, if freezing).
• Use a sharp knife to slice the top off each pepper. Cut out the middle stalk and scoop out any seeds. Carefully trim the bottoms slightly so they stand upright, but the filling won't fall out. Fill each pepper with the rice mix and place the lid on top. Bake or wrap tightly in cling film or freezer bags and freeze.
• To cook, defrost peppers completely if frozen. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the peppers on a lightly greased baking tray and cook for 25-30 mins or until the peppers have softened. Serve with a green salad tossed with cucumber, herbs and a dollop of yogurt.