Summer is still in full swing despite the kids heading back to school and it being “Faugust” here in the San Francisco Bay Area. When the peppers are nice and sweet it’s great to make this Italian style relish and have it on hand. Traditionally it is made with tomatoes and basil but Laura omits these in her recipe and adds a little acid by using rice wine vinegar. You can use it on bruschetta, sandwiches, as a topping for fish or toss it with pasta. This little quick relish packs a flavorful punch!

Laura’s Peperonata

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded, sliced into 2 1/2 to 3-inch long strips
• 2 yellow bell peppers, seeded, sliced into 2 1/2 to 3-inch long strips
• 1 medium red onion, sliced into half-moons
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• Lemon juice

Method

1 Sauté the onions: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onions. Sprinkle with a little salt and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onions just begin to color.

2 Add the peppers: Add the peppers and stir well to combine with the onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. The peppers should be al dente—cooked, but with a little crunch left in them.

3 Add the garlic, capers: Add the garlic and capers, and sauté another 1 minute.

4 Add sugar, oregano, rice wine vinegar: Add the sugar,dried oregano and rice wine vinegar. Cook 1 minute.

6 Add salt, black pepper, lemon juice: Turn off the heat and adjust your salt amount. Grind some black pepper over everything. Right before serving squeeze a little lemon juice over the dish.