Spicy-cheesy-beany stuffed peppers
These peppers by Verena Lochmuller, development chef at Ottolenghi, are comforting yet vibrant, rich but not heavy, and best enjoyed warm. There’s just enough smoke and spice – thanks to the Ottolenghi Calabrian Chilli Pesto and Smoked Paprika Almonds – to perk everything up. Follow Verena Lochmuller on Instagram.
- Serves4 4-6 as part of a spread
- CourseBrunch
- Prepare20 mins
- Cook25 mins
- Total time45 mins
Ingredients
- 4 large red Romano peppers
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 100g Ottolenghi Calabrian Chilli & Tomato Pesto, plus 1 tbsp
- 400g cannellini beans, plus 4 tbsp of the brine
- 2 tbsp nonpareille capers, roughly chopped
- 15g pack oregano, leaves roughly chopped
- 50g baby spinach
- ½ x 400g pack Galbani Cucina Italian Mozzarella, ½ cut into small cubes, ½ coarsley grated
- 30g panko breadcrumbs
- 50g Ottolenghi Smoked Paprika Almonds, roughly chopped
Method
Preheat the oven to 240ºC, gas mark 9. Halve the peppers lengthways through the stem, remove the seeds, then arrange in a single layer in a large roasting tin. Drizzle over 1 tbsp of the oil, sprinkle with the salt and some freshly ground black pepper, then roast for 8-10 minutes until starting to soften.
Meanwhile, pour 2 tbsp of the oil into a sauté pan and set over a medium heat. Fry the onion for 10 minutes, until golden. Add 100g pesto, the beans and brine, capers, half of the oregano and a pinch of salt. Cook for 1 minute until bubbling, then take off the heat and stir in the spinach until starting to wilt. Fold through the mozzarella cubes and spoon the mixture evenly over the pepper halves.
In a bowl, mix the grated mozzarella, remaining oregano, the panko, almonds and 1 tbsp of the oil and sprinkle over the peppers. Roast for 10 minutes until golden. In a bowl, mix the remaining oil and pesto, drizzle over the peppers and serve.
Nutritional
Typical values per (for 4) when made using specific products in recipe
Energy | 2,786kJ/ 671kcals |
|---|---|
Fat | 46g |
Saturated Fat | 11.9g |
Carbohydrates | 34g |
Sugars | 13.8g |
Fibre | 11g |
Protein | 23g |
Salt | 2.8g |