Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

Ingredients:

1 small red bell pepper
2 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 8-ounce jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, cut into strips
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Method of Preparation:

1. Char bell pepper over gas flame or in broiler until blackened all over. Place in a paper bag and fold the top closed.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Remove pepper from the bag.  Peel the skin and remove the seeds; discard.  Coarsely chop the flesh.
2. Place pepper in a food processor along with the tomatoes, onion, basil, garlic, and red pepper.  Blend until almost smooth. Transfer to medium bowl.
3. In the bowl of the processor place the sun-dried tomatoes, water, cream, vinegar, and lemon juice. With the machine running add the oil; blend until almost smooth.
4. Whisk sun-dried tomato mixture into bell pepper mixture.  Transfer to a jar and keep refrigerated.

Cooking with Class airs on NBC10, WJAR-TV, Providence, Rhode Island and is hosted by Chef Frank Terranova, an associate instructor at Johnson & Wales University. The “Dressing It Up,“ recipes aired the week of June 8, 2009.