Description
Ina Garten’s balsamic roasted baby peppers showcase Mediterranean simplicity with bold flavor profiles. Colorful bell peppers caramelize under high heat, delivering a sweet and tangy side dish that welcomes eager palates to savor summer’s bounty.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) baby sweet peppers, mixed colors
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) good olive oil
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) aged balsamic vinegar (e.g., Villa Manodori)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) with rack centered, selecting a large ceramic baking dish to accommodate baby peppers in a single layer while preserving their elegant stems.
- Seasoning: Lavishly coat baby peppers with extra virgin olive oil, ensuring each pepper glistens uniformly, then generously sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, gently tossing to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Herbal Infusion: Artfully scatter fresh thyme sprigs across seasoned peppers, allowing their aromatic essence to permeate during the roasting process.
- Roasting: Transfer the dish to the preheated oven, roasting for 20-25 minutes until peppers achieve a delicate golden-brown hue without scorching, maintaining their vibrant character.
- Finishing Touch: Immediately after removing from oven, discard thyme sprigs and drizzle aged balsamic vinegar over the peppers, creating a glossy, tangy glaze that elevates their natural sweetness.
- Serving: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then present the roasted peppers warm or at room temperature as an elegant side dish or appetizer that celebrates the peppers’ natural brilliance.
Notes
- Pepper Perfection: Choose baby peppers with vibrant colors and firm texture for the best roasting results.
- Olive Oil Magic: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the peppers’ natural sweetness and create a beautiful sheen.
- Thyme Technique: Fresh thyme sprigs infuse subtle herbal notes, transforming the dish from simple to spectacular.
- Balsamic Brilliance: Opt for aged balsamic vinegar to add depth and complexity, creating a rich, tangy finish that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg