Slow Roasted Red Peppers

Smoked paprika has a powerful yet enticing dusky flavour, some say its flavour is reminiscent of bacon. It goes particularly well in this robust autumnal dish of red peppers filled with crunchy chickpeas.

Slow Roasted Red Peppers

Serves: 4

Dietary: Vegan, Gluten Free

Ingredients:

• 2 large red peppers, halved and deseeded
• a few sprigs of thyme
• 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
• 4 sage leaves, chopped
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
• 3 tbsps olive oil and extra for oiling
• salt
• a handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C/Gas6.
2. Oil a baking dish with olive oil and rub olive oil all over the peppers, then place them, cut side up in the baking dish on top of the thyme.
3. Divide the chickpeas between the peppers, any extra can be placed around the peppers.
4. Divide the tomatoes and garlic between the peppers and push in between the chickpeas.
5. Sprinkle with the chopped sage.
6. Mix together the paprika and olive oil and drizzle over and around the peppers.
7. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 40-50 minutes.
8. The skin of the peppers should be just starting to blacken and be soft but still holding their shape.
9. Serve garnished with chopped parsley and season to taste.

Tips:

• Great served with bread and olives, or with a side dish of herby risotto or quinoa.
• You can buy ‘hot’ or ‘sweet’ smoked paprika. For this dish we prefer the ‘sweet’ as the flavour is subtler.