Break out the Brai with Grilled Pesto Peppers

Grilled Pesto Peppers

I hope you all had a fun-filled weekend. The kids were visiting over the long weekend so we dug deep into to our roots to enjoy some of the simple things in life...creating meals together as a family, good conversation, picking the first apples of the season, being in each others company while all the while being a tourist in our own town. Where else would we want to be, unless if course you are a university student finding her own path in life and enjoying all the cultural diversity of living in a big city on the coast?



 I certainly understand the draw of living in the BIG CITY.  I have had my share of living in larger centers all across this vast country. There’s nothing more exciting and challenging for a twenty-something than to spread their wings. Big cities are appealing because they have more of a variety of everything...types of people, restaurants, cultural events, and things to see and do. It’s possible to never be lonely or bored if you are proactive in getting out and taking advantage of everything that’s there.

Of course it is nice to come back home too and spend some time with mom:D I can't believe that I didn't flash up the barbecue while the kids were here since they brought a 10-lb salmon from the docks at Steveston. Speaking of barbecues I am reinventing the wheel and joining my South African friend Jeanne of Cooksister (who is also living in the big city of London) and her event  Brai the Beloved Country .On 24 September, South Africa celebrates Heritage Day, a holiday to highlight the incredible richness and diversity of South Africa's cultural and natural heritage. Apart from being Heritage Day, 24 September is also celebrated as National Braai Day (a braai is a South African barbecue). For what more fitting example of their shared cross-cultural heritage can there be than a braai?

Jeanne would love for you to share your favourite braai or barbecue recipes with her - it can be meat, fish, vegetables, breads, stews - in fact anything that you can cook over an outdoor fire or grill, South African inspired or not. Then on 24 September, she will post a round-up of all the recipes in a big celebration of summery outdoor cooking to celebrate the end of the season, or perhaps the beginning if you are living "down under".

I am sending over my recipe for grilled peppers. These are a favourite around here and so quick and easy to prepare as a side dish. If you enjoy the simple and uncomplicated things in life I urge you to give these a try. All you need are some seasonal peppers of any colour, some pesto and buffalo mozzarella. You have to have something to accompany those thick juicy steaks or lamb chops don't you? So break out the barbecue one last time and send your recipes over to Jeanne.

**Grilled Pesto Peppers**

4 red peppers

2 large garlic cloves cut into thin slivers

4 tablespoons olive oil (60ml)

3 tablespoons of your favourite pesto (45ml)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 balls of buffalo mozzarella, sliced

Cut peppers in half lengthways. Scrape out and discard the cores and seeds. Drizzle olive oil, season with salt and pepper and add a few slivers of garlic into the cavity of each pepper.

Preheat the grill to 375°F/200°C or medium high heat.

Place the peppers on the grill, cavity side up, until charred (approximately 3 minutes). Add a spoonful of pesto into each of the peppers and slices of buffalo mozzarella cheese. Continue to cook peppers until cheese is melted (approximately 3 minutes).

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