Name: Peperoni Gratinati al Forno (Red Pepper Gratin with Bread Crumbs)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 red peppers (seeded and halved); extra virgin olive oil; 8 cured anchovies, drained and chopped (you can replace these with 1 !/2 tsp of Worcestershire Sauce); 2 tbsp black olives (chopped); 2 tbsp capers (rinsed); 2 sprigs oregano, leaves removed; 2 medium garlic cloves (minced); 1/4 tsp chilli flakes; 1/3 cup stale bread crumbs (I used Panko, but you use what you can find)

Here is a fresh and yet comforting way to serve up red peppers.

Using the Simply cookbook by Diana Henry this month has been a joy. She has a wonderful collection of dishes that bring flavours together that we may not have thought of combining. Exotic, depth, fun, definitely a cookbook to keep your creativity fired up.

In this case it was a red pepper gratin that intrigued me. As she says in the intro to this dish, “Just when you thought you were aware of everything that could be done with roast bell peppers, along comes this from southern Italy.” She suggests using it as a side dish to accompany roast lamb etc, but then points out that even at a slightly cooler temperature, it makes a great appetizer.

When I Decided to Serve This

And it is as an appetizer that I decided to showcase it. I love burrata. That delicate creaminess that oozes out when you have cut through the lovely skin belonging to a bocconcini ball is so compelling. It is the perfect treat to spread on crostini or crackers, with veggies or charcuterie of some kind, as a garnish or extra layer of flavour.

So, since it was the Oscars last night, I thought that this would be a great dish to have on the table to snack on. Raise the bar from the usual chips and popcorn! Add a few crudités and other cheeses etc, and we would be set for an evening of dress critiquing and cheering on of our favourite movies etc. Speaking of which, last night’s show did not disappoint. Jim and I had seen La La Land, and thought it was a delight, refreshing and such a diversion from the seriousness of reality. I wasn’t sure how Jim would deal with a movie where the characters spontaneously burst out into song, but there was enough for him to enjoy, that the musical numbers didn’t seem to phase him at all. And the music itself was beautiful, catchy, and rather soulful at times. I’m sure he’s thrilled that I outed him out for liking a musical… don’t tell anyone.

Method

Anyway, back to this recipe. Red peppers are roasted off in a 350F oven for 30 minutes. Then, after letting them cool slightly, they are sliced into strips and added to a mixture of anchovies, black olives, capers, oregano, chili flakes and bread crumbs. I’ll be the first to admit: I don’t always have anchovies in the house. At these times, I find that a little touch of Worcestershire Sauce steps in just fine. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what route you’ll go. All the ingredients are combined and then put into a baking dish and topped with more breadcrumbs and some olive oil. And the whole thing is baked off for another 15 minutes or so, till the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy.

Red Pepper Gratin as an Appetizer

Serving this on a platter with the burrata and perhaps some roasted cherry tomatoes, or even pickled red onions, artichoke hearts; some chorizo, other smoked or cured meat; or even sardines etc makes for a fantastic and filling snack. Why, depending on how large your burrata is, and the other proteins you have on hand, it becomes a pretty impressive meal!

Just have plenty of seeded crackers, or fresh baguette ready to scoop it all up with. Spread a little burrata on a crostini, or slice of baguette, top with some of the pepper mix and perhaps a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic reduction- life doesn’t get much better than this. Till dessert!

For other appetizer options check out my Honey Baked Brie with Figs and Hazelnuts, or Middle Eastern Marinated Feta Cubes. And see Appetizers in the Recipe Index for even more suggestions.

Love Jen.