Pepper Stromboli

This last week we had an experimental vegetarian week. I counts for my "cook with something you have never cooked with before" goal, by the way.  It is so easy for me to make, and eat vegetarian, and this week was to prove to Daniel that vegetarian can be "good." You know what? He didn't complain...but I don't think either of us will ever give up meat. We had a lot of good recipes, but I think this one was my favorite. It's delicious!

Pepper Stromboli

    3 medium  red, yellow, and/or green sweet peppers, chopped (3 cups)
    1 tablespoon  minced garlic (6 cloves)
    1 tablespoon  butter
    1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon  crushed red pepper
    3/4 cup  shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz.)
    1/2 cup  ricotta cheese
    2 tablespoons  snipped fresh basil
    1 10-ounce package  refrigerated pizza dough (I just made my own)
    1   egg, slightly beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper; grease foil and set aside. In a large skillet cook sweet peppers and garlic in hot butter over medium heat about 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the crushed red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium bowl stir together the mozzarella, ricotta, and basil. Stir pepper mixture into cheese mixture until well combined; set aside. On a lightly floured surface roll out pizza dough to a 16x10-inch rectangle. Cut into two 8x10-inch rectangles. Spoon half of the pepper mixture along one of the long sides of one dough rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border along the long side and a 1/2-inch border along the short sides. Spread pepper mixture to a width of about 3 inches. Fold one long side over the pepper mixture. Seal seam and ends, tucking seam under the loaf. Carefully place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

With a sharp knife cut 4 diagonal slits in the top of each loaf. Brush loaves with egg. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes. Slice each in half and serve warm. Makes 4 servings.