These stuffed peppers are a departure from traditional stuffed peppers in a few ways. First, I use vitamin C rich red peppers rather than the standard green bell or Poblano peppers. Second, the filling is comprised of anchovies, fruits and nuts rather than the traditional meat or cheese fillings. This makes for a very unique flavor profile which I love. The peppers cook up perfectly in a toaster oven. The close proximity of the heating elements provides a beautifully browned top to these tasty stuffed peppers.
This recipe makes 8 halves. Serve two halves as a main course or use one as a side dish. These stuffed peppers go very well with roasted chicken or turkey, since the filling is similar to a fruit and nut stuffing. It makes for a much prettier presentation compared to simply serving a dish of stuffing or dressing.
Ingredients
4 large red bell peppers
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of whole grain bread cut into 1/2 inch square pieces
10 anchovies, chopped
1/4 cup of golden raisins
4 whole dried apricots, chopped
1/4 cup of pine nuts
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup of dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Heat your toaster oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove top.
Cook the peppers in the boiling water for 8 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
Toss the whole grain bread pieces with the extra virgin olive oil. Bake in your toaster oven for 10 minutes. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the anchovies, golden raisins, apricots, pine nuts, parsley, dry white wine and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well.
Slice the cooled red peppers in half lengthwise. Remove the pith and seeds but leave the stem attached. Place them into a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Evenly distribute the filing amongst the pepper halves. Bake in your toaster oven until they are hot throughout and the tops are golden brown; this should take about 30 minutes. Serve hot.
The Best Toaster Oven For Cooking Stuffed Peppers
You will want a toaster oven capable of even cooking that also has browning capabilities. Any mid-range or above unit should suffice, just avoid cheap models that never reach temperatures sufficient for proper browning. Visit Toaster Oven Reviews to find the best model for cooking stuffed peppers and so much more. You will find thousands of reviews and a handy buying guide to help you along the way. Look to the reviews for any issues with achieving or maintaining proper temperatures.
