Veggie Basics: Roasted Red Peppers

I've been having these sporadic thoughts about going Vegan. Between the huge carbon footprint left behind when you eat beef, KFC boiling chickens alive, and all of the other reasons why eating meat is bad, it's hard not to at least consider it. So, I ordered this brown rice and tofu dish when I was out the other day.. yuck. So, I don't think it's going to happen any time soon. BUT, I am really trying to eat more veggies. Some of my favorite are the roasted kind.

I was in Boston very briefly recently to surprise my mom. She shared with me her recipe for making roasted red peppers. No oil or anything neccessary! Here it is:


Mom's Roasted Red Peppers

1. Turn on your broiler. Cut up your peppers into large slices and remove all the seeds and insides. Place the slices on a piece of aluminum foil.
   
   
2. Place the peppers in the broiler (on the foil) and watch them, broiling until black.
   
   
3. Remove from the broiler. Wrap the peppers up in the foil and allow them to stay in this package until they've cooled. Basically, they will steam themselves with their own heat.
   
   
4. When cooled off, open the package and peel the black off the peppers. They're ready! They should be soft all the way through.

Santa Monica Farmers' Market & Simple Guacamole Recipe

We went to one of the many local farmers' markets on Saturday morning. I usually go to the one at Virginia Park. It isn't a scene like the Sunday morning Main Street market and even though I have never been to the 3rd St. Promenade market I am guessing this one is a lot more chill. Plus this one is right across the street : ).

As you can see in the photo, I picked up a couple of cool looking things including red scallions and long-stem garlic. The scallions are much stronger than the regular little ones, so it's good for guacamole without needing too much else to flavor it.

I made some fresh summer rolls with mint, cilantro, and some basil and shrimp I had at home. The Mexican farmer guy selling the avacados gave us this recipe for the guacamole and it was awesome:

Guacamole

• Ripe Avacados
• Cut up scallions to taste (we used the red ones)
• Lime juice to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mash all up and enjoy!!