Colorful Stuffed Peppers with Roasted Ptitim and Basil Pesto

A vibrant and alluring dish that harmonizes the natural sweetness of roasted peppers with the al dente texture of pearl couscous in a rich, fragrant basil pesto. The precise balance of premium Parmesan, salty cheese, and a deep tomato sauce creates a quintessential Mediterranean celebration of flavors, perfect for a light lunch or an elegant appetizer for any festive occasion.

Prep: 20 min
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Medium

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Instructions

Servings:6

1Prepare the ptitim according to the package instructions.
2In a blender or food processor, combine the basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, and salt to taste, while drizzling in the olive oil.
3If needed, add more olive oil and process until smooth.
4Stir in half a cup of Parmesan cheese and blend again until incorporated.
5Mix half of the pesto (store the rest in a jar in the fridge) with the ptitim and cheese cubes, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6Stuff the pepper halves with the mixture and arrange them in a greased pan or wide pot.
7Pour the tomato sauce over and around the peppers, cover, and cook until the peppers are tender, about 30-40 minutes.
8Add boiling water occasionally if needed.
9In the last five minutes of cooking, evenly sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the peppers.
10Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Ingredients

1 cup roasted ptitim (whole wheat couscous)
120 ml (1/2 cup) high-quality olive oil
2 cups fresh basil leaves, washed + extra for garnish
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
200 g cubed yellow cheese or Bulgarian cheese
3 colorful peppers - orange, red, and yellow, halved and seeded
2 cups homemade tomato sauce

Recommended Equipment & Products

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Chef tips

Prep all your ingredients ahead of time—it makes cooking with the kids so much more fun and way less stressful! Getting everything ready before you start makes cooking with children a much more enjoyable and organized family experience!

Culinary reasoning

A vibrant and alluring dish that harmonizes the natural sweetness of roasted peppers with the al dente texture of pearl couscous in a rich, fragrant basil pesto. The precise balance of premium Parmesan, salty cheese, and a deep tomato sauce creates a quintessential Mediterranean celebration of flavors, perfect for a light lunch or an elegant appetizer for any festive occasion.

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Chef tips

Prep all your ingredients ahead of time—it makes cooking with the kids so much more fun and way less stressful! Getting everything ready before you start makes cooking with children a much more enjoyable and organized family experience!

Recommended Equipment & Products

Food processor
Amazon

Disclosure: these are currently regular search links, not affiliate links, and we do not earn a commission. Check current prices, availability and product labels before buying.