RECIPES FOR PEPPERS RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Deseed and slice the peppers and put them in a large frying pan over a medium heat with a little olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Place a lid on, and cook slowly for 15 minutes until softened. Don't rush this too much, as cooking the peppers slowly like this really helps to bring out the flavour.
  2. While the peppers are cooking, peel and finely slice the onion, and peel and grate the garlic. Finely chop the parsley leaves and reserve the stalks.
  3. Add the onion to the pan and cook for a further 20 minutes. Then add the garlic and parsley stalks and toss around, keeping everything moving in the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes most. Have a little taste, and season with a bit more salt and pepper. Add the vinegar – it will sizzle away, so give everything a good toss.
  4. Grate the Parmesan and add one handful of the Parmesan and the mascarpone or crème fraîche, if using, and turn the heat down to minimum while you cook the pasta.
  5. Meanwhile, put a large pot of salted water on to boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions. When cooked, drain in a colander, reserving some of the cooking water.
  6. Put the peppers, pasta and parsley leaves into a large warmed bowl. Give them a good toss together, then add a little of the pasta cooking water and a few good lugs of extra virgin olive oil to coat the pasta nicely. Serve straight away sprinkled with the rest of the Parmesan.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Place a griddle pan over a high heat to get smoking hot.
  2. Halve and deseed the peppers, then add to the griddle with the corn. Grill for 8 to 10 minutes, or until charred and bar-marked, turning occasionally. Remove to a plate to cool.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium frying pan over a medium heat. Drain and add the black beans, stir in the cumin and fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until crisp, stirring occasionally.
  4. Once cooled, cut the corn kernels away from the cob and chop the peppers into 1.5cm chunks. Reserving 1 tablespoon of the corn, add to a large bowl with the peppers and black beans.
  5. Trim, finely slice and add the spring onions, reserving a small handful to one side. Deseed, finely slice and add the chilli. Pick and add most of the coriander leaves, reserving the stalks.
  6. Squeeze in the lime juice and season well with sea salt and black pepper.
  7. Wipe the frying pan clean with kitchen paper, then return to a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of oil.
  8. Peel and finely slice the garlic and finely slice the coriander stalks, then add to the pan for 1 minute.
  9. Stir in the tomatoes and ½ a tin’s worth of hot water, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened and reduced.
  10. Season to taste, carefully transfer to a liquidiser and blitz until smooth.
  11. Divide the vegetable mixture between 8 corn tortillas and roll them up. Line them up in a snug-fitting baking dish (roughly 20cm x 30cm), with the scruffy ends tucked underneath.
  12. Pour over the tomato sauce, coarsely grate the Cheddar on top and crumble over the feta.
  13. Drizzle with a little oil, then pop in the hot oven for 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
  14. Serve scattered with the reserved corn, spring onion and coriander leaves. Delicious with a crisp green salad.