How to Make Roasted Red Peppers on a Stovetop

With their smoky flavor and vibrant color, roasted red peppers are a wonderful and versatile ingredient. Used in pastas, salads, soups, spreads and on sandwiches, they turn an average meal into one of beauty and sophistication. Plus they’re good for you. And now you can make these delicious treats on your own stovetop with a recipe so easy, you won’t believe you ever spent the big bucks on store-bought roasted red peppers. Read on to learn how to make roasted red peppers on a stovetop.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Red bell peppers
• A gas stove
• Tongs
• A paper bag

1. Prepare. Pull the grate off one of your gas burners and turn to high.

2. Add red peppers. Place the red peppers directly over the gas flames.

3. 
   Blackened red peppers

   Turn peppers. Using tongs, turn the roasting red peppers occasionally, ensuring an even roast, until peppers are blackened all over.

4. Steam peppers. Transfer roasted red peppers to a paper bag and let them steam inside the bag for about 20 minutes, or until they reach room temperature.

5. Rub skin off peppers. Remove the roasted red peppers from the bag and rub off all the black skin.

6. Remove stems and seeds. Cut off the stem and remove the roasted red pepper’s insides and seeds.

7. Slice peppers. Cut the pepper lengthwise into quarters.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry about burning the pepper. It should look black all over and look completely burnt by the time you’re done. Just be sure to rotate the peppers frequently and remove them when the pepper is completely blackened.
• If you don't have a gas stove, try using your broiler or grill.
• Don't wash the blackened skin from the red pepper as this will rinse away that great smoky flavor--just use a knife to scrape it and remember it’s OK to leave a few blackened bits here and there.