This recipe comes from one of my favorite restaurants, Bottega Cafe, where world renowned chef, Frank Stitt, continues to impress with his inspiring Italian cuisine.  I love this dish not only for its simplicity but for its comfort as well.  Combine warm goat cheese with sweet and smokey bell peppers and you have yourself one decadent treat.  The salad compliments this rich dish and gives you an excuse to trim down your overgrown herb garden :)  A simple yet satisfying meal like this is perfect for a casual dinner party or dinner for two out on the back porch.

Roasted Peppers Stuffed with Goat Cheese

To roast the peppers turn your broiler on, place beppers on a foil covered baking sheet and place in oven. Allow each side to blacken or char, occasionally turning the peppers. Do not worry about how dark the outside gets, we will peel the skin off later. I usually roast mine for about 20 minutes.  

When they are done remove from the oven and place peppers in a glass blow and tightly cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to steam for 20 minutes. Then carefully peel the skins off the peppers, they should be cool enough to handle with your bare hands. Once the skin is gone cut a slit down one side of each pepper and remove the seeds and core. DO NOT be tempted to rinse the peppers or you will wash away their flavorful oils.

Next lay each pepper on a cutting board and carefully spread each pepper out from where you cut the slit. They will look kind of like a butterfly. One one side of the pepper spoon one quater of the goat cheese into each pepper, sprinkle with some chopped basil, sultanas and toasted pine nuts. Fold over the other side of the pepper to make a package (like a canoe on its side).

Place the stuffed peppers on a foil lined baking sheet. Sprinkle each pepper with bread crumbs and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Bake for 10 minutes or until bubbly in a 425 degree oven.

To serve arrange peppers on top or along side of herb salad and sprinkle more basil, sultanas, and toasted pine nuts on top. Enjoy!

Fresh Herb Salad