Roasted Pepper Caprese

4 Servings

The hands-off approach for this summery caprese recipe means no blistering the peppers on the stovetop and no need to peel them—although some of the skins will slide right off after cooking if you nudge them along. This recipe is part of the Healthyish Farmers’ Market Challenge.

Ingredients

• 3 lb. mixed bell peppers and chiles (any more than 2 hot chiles and the peppers will end up spicy, which is delicious as long as that is what you are going for; a handful of shishitos are great in the mix as well), large peppers seeded, cut off of cores into quarters
• 6 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 12 oz. fresh mozzarella
• Basil leaves (for serving)
• 1 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

Recipe preparation

• Preheat oven to 325°. Toss peppers, chiles, garlic, and oil in a Dutch oven or heavy roasting pan; season with salt and pepper and toss again to coat. Cover and roast, tossing occasionally, until peppers are very tender, 2–2½ hours. Let cool.
• Arrange half of peppers on a platter. Top peppers with mozzarella and basil. Measure out 3 Tbsp. of the oily juices left behind and transfer to a small bowl (save remaining peppers and their juices for another use; we love them tossed with pasta, layered into sandwiches, or stirred into frittatas). Add vinegar; season with salt. Stir to combine, then drizzle dressing over salad.