Serves 8: Prep time 20 mins: Prep time 1 hour
Ingredients
For the Peppers
4 large red bell peppers, halved from stem to base, seeds and membranes removed
1 tbs Rapeseed Oil
Salt and Black pepper, freshly ground
For the filling and topping
200g Uncooked long-grain brown rice
2 tbs Rapeseed Oil
1 large Onion, chopped
½ tsp Salt, to taste
300g cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
8g Chopped Coriander leaves, plus more for garnish
4 Garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 ½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
425g can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
Black Pepper, freshly ground, to taste
1 tbs lime juice
110g Westcombe cheddar or Wooky Hole Cheddar
Method
To roast the peppers:
1/ Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the halved peppers in a large 9 by 13-inch baking dish, or on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2/ Drizzle 1 tbs rapeseed oil over the peppers and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Use your hands to rub the oil all over both sides of the peppers, then arrange them with the cut sides facing up.
3/ Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the peppers are a little blistered around the edges and easily pierced through by a fork.
4/ Set aside. Leave the oven on for baking the peppers.
In the meantime, cook the rice:
1/ Bring a large pot of water to boil. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh colander until the water runs clear. Add the rice to the boiling water and continue boiling, uncovered, for 30 minutes (reduce the heat as necessary to prevent overflow).
2/ Drain off the remaining cooking water and return the rice to the pot. Set aside.
Prepare the filling:
1/ In a large frying pan over medium heat, warm 2 tbs rapeseed oil until shimmering. 2/ Add the onion and ½ tsp of the salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they’re lightly squishy, another 5 minutes or so.
3/ Add the cilantro, garlic, chili powder and cumin. While stirring, cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds.
4/ Remove the pot from the heat and add the rice, beans, lime juice and about 10 twists of black pepper. Stir to combine, then season with additional salt (I usually add ¼ teaspoon) and black pepper, to taste.
5/ To stuff the peppers, first pour off any excess juice pooled within the peppers. Then stuff each pepper generously with the rice mixture (if the peppers were truly large, you should have just the right amount of filling—if you have extra, save it to serve as a side dish). Top the peppers with the cheese.
6/ Bake at 425 for 12 to 13 minutes, until the cheese is golden in spots. Serve warm with fresh cilantro leaves on top or any other garnishes of your choice. Leftovers keep well in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days.