Serve this stunning dish solo as a predinner nosh, or spoon over mixed lettuces for a fresh spin on salad. Reserve excess oil, and toss it with steamed brown rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 4 cups baby sweet peppers
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces fresh baby mozzarella balls
• 1/4 cup fresh small basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler to high.
2. Arrange sweet peppers in a single layer on a foil-lined jelly-roll pan; broil peppers 4 minutes on each side or until blackened and tender.
3. Cool.
4. Combine peppers, olive oil, garlic, lemon rind, crushed red pepper, salt, and baby mozzarella balls; toss.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight, tossing occasionally.
6. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
7. Stir in basil leaves and lemon juice before serving. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Kitchen Notes

Serve this stunning dish solo as a predinner nosh, or spoon over mixed lettuces for a fresh spin on salad. Reserve excess oil, and toss it with steamed brown rice or noodles.