Marinated Red Bell Peppers and Manchego Cheese Recipe

Marinated Red Bell Peppers and Manchego Cheese

Makes 12 tapas

Sweet, smoky roasted red bell peppers pair with Spain’s revered manchego cheese for a sublime tapas dish. If you can’t find manchego, substitute thin slices of pecorino Romano.

2 medium red bell peppers
8 oz. manchego cheese, cut into 12 triangles
3 Tbs. olive oil
1 large clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
½ tsp. cumin seeds

1. Preheat broiler. Place bell peppers on baking sheet; broil 20 minutes, or until blackened on all sides, turning occasionally. Transfer to bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let steam 15 minutes. Remove stem, core, skin, and seeds. Cut into 12 strips.
2. Arrange cheese in round dish. Place 1 bell pepper strip atop each cheese slice.
3. Whisk together oil, garlic, and cumin seeds in small bowl, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spoon oil over and around cheese. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors. Bring to room temperature before serving.

March 2010 p.48