Red, green, yellow and orange peppers are deliciously versatile vegetables. Sweet peppers can be eaten raw, grilled with succulent meats, roasted, stuffed with a savoury filling and baked, steamed with other tender crisp veggies, sautéed, or thrown into a simmering pot for a hearty stew.

Peppers are a great source of Vitamin C, which helps your body absorb other nutrients from food. When buying bell peppers, look for ones that are firm to the touch, with a smooth skin free of cracks or blemishes.

Cooking with peppers
"Roasted red peppers are a tasty addition to salads, sandwiches, pastas and antipasto," says Test Kitchen specialist Amanda Barnier.

"Peppers are great combined with basil + currants + garlic + pine nuts. Or, try peppers + garlic + olive oil + onion + thyme + zucchini. Other foods that complement their taste include chili peppers, and cheeses such as mozzarella, parmesan, and goat." Amanda suggests trying roasted peppers with lemon juice, oregano, potatoes, tomatoes and vinegar as well; "especially sherry vinegar," she adds.

How to roast peppers
"Roast or grill peppers evenly on all sides, for about 12 to 15 minutes," Amanda says. "Seal in a paper bag, or seal with plastic wrap in a bowl to help them steam for 10 minutes. Then, unwrap and cool for 10 minutes."

Then, "using a paper towel or your hands to rub off the charred skin, drain liquid and remove tops. Remove seeds with knife or under running water. Dry with a clean towel."

Best tips for stuffed peppers
Are stuffed peppers proving to be a challenge on your menu?

"Stand peppers upright by fitting them to a proper sized baking dish," Amanda advises. "You can also use mounds of kosher salt to stabilize the peppers. The salt will retain [the pepper's] shape during baking."

And why not step outside the boxy bell pepper? "Use peppers that you like," Amanda adds. "Try green, red, yellow, cubanelle, or even the smaller jalepeno pepper. Fill them with meat, rice and other grains such as barley and quinoa, or cheese and other vegetables."

As a reminder, she says, "know that the peppers will begin to break down in the oven if they're baked too long, so consider the cooking time of the fillings as well; you may need to par-cook some ingredients."

How to make a knock-out red pepper soup
"Purée the soup with a blender or hand blender for smooth results," Amanda says. "A little spice goes a long way, so taste before you add too much salt or other spices."

"If you desire a creamy soup, 35 per cent cream is always best for a velvety texture. Lighter creams run the risk of splitting if the consistency is too thin."

On your next trip to the market, find inspiration from one of these red, green, yellow and orange pepper recipes. Fill up on peppers and get cooking!

Stuffed pepper recipes:

Feta, Bulgur and Herb Peppers
These Middle-Eastern inspired peppers are a healthy and delicious vegetarian main course.



Millet and Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Available in the health food section of grocery stores and in natural food stores, mildly flavoured millet is a perfect backdrop to seasonings. Here, it's an interesting alternative to regular rice stuffing.


Stuffed Mozza Peppers
Tuna combined with veggies and creamy mozzarella stuffed into peppers makes for a portable, nutritious and delicious lunch ready to go in 5 minutes!



Page 1 of 3 - Find more stuffed pepper and roasted pepper recipes on page 2.

More stuffed pepper recipes:
Bulgur-Stuffed Sweet Peppers
Take advantage of locally available, long, narrow shepherd peppers for this dish. Enjoy them hot or at room temperature.


Vegetable and Rice Pepper
A drizzle of cheese over tender-crisp vegetables tucked into a pepper is a supper worthy of anticipation. Choose a long pepper rather than a fat one for a better cavity.

Peppers Stuffed with Summer Vegetables and Couscous
This vegetarian dinner for two is ready in just 20 minutes. Double the recipe for four, or serve the pepper halves singly as a side dish with grilled meat.



Roasted pepper recipes:

Roasted Peppers with Cheese
Celebrate the fall harvest by serving these festive peppers as a side dish with dinner. Use both yellow and red peppers to mimic the gorgeous transformation of the trees outside.


Tuna, Roast Pepper and Arugula Fettuccine
A simple pasta tossed with roasted red peppers, arugula and tuna makes for a great main dish.



Crab and Lobster Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and Dill Cream
Lobster gives these an authentic Nova Scotian touch, and the two sauces — one a colourful roasted pepper and the other, a creamy dill — add a touch of Laceby indulgence.


Roasted Pepper Toasts
This variation of escalivada, a Spanish dish of grilled vegetables, is a change from the popular tomato topping for bruschetta. In winter you can substitute jarred roasted peppers for the fresh.


Roasted Pepper and Spinach Pasta
An easy recipe for penne pasta and jarred roasted peppers. Spinach and Parmesan top off this supper favourite!



Roasted Pepper Pomegranate Dip
Dip croutes or crunchy fresh vegetables into this tangy, piquant Turkish spread known as Muhammara. Or serve as a condiment with roast pork, lamb or chicken thighs.


Warm Goat Cheese, Basil and Roasted Pepper Tarts
Make the cheese balls ahead of time, then serve as is with toothpicks. Or pop them into tart shells to bake and serve hot or slightly warm.



Roasted Pepper and Cheese Tortellini Salad
Fresh ingredients, ready-made pasta and an easy dressing come together deliciously in this hearty salad.



Roasted Red Pepper Relish
Roasted peppers add robust flavour to this savoury relish. For a homey dish, pair with sour cream; for a haute meal, pair with grilled artichokes.



Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
A nutty pecan flavour melds tastefully with smoky peppers in this slightly chunky sauce. Toss it with pasta or use it to top bread, baked potatoes, chicken breasts or fish.


Roasted Peppers with Garlic and Anchovies
This colourful and tasty mix of peppers and anchovies is delicious on slices of rustic Italian bread


Red pepper soup recipes

Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup
Warm up on a cold winter's day with this steaming bowl of homemade soup from the Canadian Living "Soup's On!" collection.



Crab and Roasted Pepper Bisque
This delectable red pepper soup is made with carrots, crab stock or clam nectar, and clamato juice.



Roasted Red Pepper and Zucchini Soup
High-fibre, low-GI beans add body to this filling main-course soup, and the whole wheat croutons have a little more fibre than store-bought white croutons.


Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Soup
Although it takes a little time for the vegetables to roast, you can set the table and toss a salad in the meantime. Then you can finish this simple soup in minutes.


Page 2 of 3 - Have yellow, green or orange peppers on hand? Find recipes on page 3.
Yellow pepper recipes:
Green Beans with Yellow Pepper and Tomato
A quick sauté of yellow pepper with tomato, garlic and oregano adds colour and a tasty crunch to beans.


Sole Pinwheels on Yellow Pepper
Serve with rice and your favourite spinach salad.



Quick Pepper Slaw
Showcase the best of the season with a rainbow of sweet peppers in a tumble of lightly dressed cabbage.



Tri Colour Pepper Saute
This colourful entree is a must-try! Yummy yellow, red and green peppers are sauteed with fennel seeds, shallots and green beans.



Chili Salmon with Peppers and Zucchini
Serve with Pita Triangles and Sliced Tomatoes.




Pepper Medley
This simple mix of colourful peppers is ideal as a side dish with grilled or roasted meats or fish, or served as part of an antipasto platter.



Green pepper recipes:

Green Pepper Burgers
You can make these burgers with ground chicken, turkey, veal, pork or beef. Top with lettuce, Golden Onions or thickly sliced sweet onion rings and pickled hot peppers. Serve on slices of focaccia bread or flat Portuguese buns.

Monterey Jack and Green Pepper Quesadillas
Everyone will make quick work of these irresistible bites that are lightly spiced and oozing with cheese.



Sweet Pepper Slaw
Use a mandoline for paper-thin slices.




Chicken Braised with Sweet Peppers
This festive-coloured dish is perfect for entertaining because you can make it ahead and, therefore, mingle with your guests. Serve with fluffy rice and steamed broccoli or green beans.


Orange pepper recipes:

Whole Wheat Pasta with Peppers, Tomatoes and Olives
Pantry ingredients plus fresh sweet peppers add up to a colourful must-have dish. Serve with Parmesan cheese to sprinkle over top.



Roast Turkey Breast with Peppers and Rosemary Garlic Butter
There's enough rosemary in this recipe to accent both the turkey and vegetables in the short time they roast. Serve with Mushroom Barley Pilaf.



Mixed Pepper and Feta Pasta
With pimento-stuffed olives, Genoa salami and crumbly feta cheese, this pasta dish will be a hit at the table!



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