Recipe Monday: Peppers Arlene

If you like bell peppers and parmesan cheese...you will love this!!

This is something my grandfather used to make a lot in the summer time. It's delicious as a kind of dip with cheese and crackers, or smeared on a salami and provolone sandwich, or even on a sandwich all by itself. It is THAT good. I love it....I wish I had brought some to work today.

There is a story behind the name "Peppers Arlene." My mother's sister's name is Arlene, she was named after Arlene Francis (don't know who that is? I'm not shocked. Google it, and then laugh at how ridiculous my grandmother was). So anyway, as I said, my grandfather used to make this all the time, and my aunt loves it just as much as the rest of us. So one day, he made a large batch, gave us a bowl-full, kept some for himself, and made a bowl-full for my aunt and subsequently froze it because we wouldn't be seeing her anytime soon. One day, my mother went in the freezer and pulled out a bowl, labeled with a piece of scotch tape and a sharpie marker that said "Peppers 'Arlene.'" Well, unsurprisingly, mom goes "What the fuck is peppers Arlene?" ...and the name was born. So without further adieu: Peppers  Arlene.

What you'll need:

2 large bell peppers
3 tbsp. plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic (to taste)
Small can of tomato sauce (unseasoned)
Olive oil


Start by heating oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Slice peppers in long thin strips and cook in heated oil, with salt and black pepper until soft and skin starts peeling away. Remove peppers from skillet and add crushed garlic. Cook until almost browned and immediately add can of tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer for about 10 minutes, add peppers back to sauce, cook 2 more minutes. Turn off heat, and add Parmesan and 1 tbsp of bread crumbs. Stir together. Continue to add more and more bread just until it holds together and there is no longer liquid running through the mixture.

There you have it. This can be served hot or cold.



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