Roasting peppers: Coat with all but 2 Tbsp of olive oil and choice seasoning. (we used The Olive Twist Herb Dipping Blend and Tuscan Herb Olive Oil) Roast under 400 degree broiler for 30-40 minutes, or until the skins are charred and blistered. Place in a plastic grocery bag with a paper towel and let cool. Once cool to touch, peel the skin and remove stem and seeds. Dice, chop, slice to whatever desired shape for the dish.
Whisk together eggs milk and seasoning. Add bagel pieces. Transfer to prepared baking dish, add roasted red peppers, spinach, ham and half the cheese. Fold to incorporate. Top with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Use 2 Tbsp of the olive oil to coat a 2-quart baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove dish from refrigerator and let rest 20 minutes before placing in oven. Uncover dish and bake 55-65 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
The Oil and Seasonings can be swapped out easily in this recipe. Make it spicy? Mediterranean? You can also use any day old bread instead of bagels. Other substitutes could be asparagus instead of spinach, or sausage for ham.
Pick over beans to remove any stones (common find in dried beans). Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Place cleaned beans in a bowl of fresh cold water, cover and soak 3-8 hours, or overnight at room temperature; drain and rinse well.
Speed soak: Place rinsed beans in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and remove from heat and soak for 1 1/2 hours, drain and rinse well. Cook beans by covering with 2" of water, simmering 1-2 hours or until tender.
Bean and Barley
In a slow cooker place beans, barley, vegetables and bay leaf, 1 1/2 Tbsp salt, herb blend, dash or two of pepper and mushrooms. Squeeze the tomatoes through your hands over the pot to break them down. Add juices and all. Cover and cook on high for 8 hours.
Add spinach and cheese, stirring until it melts spinach wilts. remove bay leaf. Season with Salt and Pepper. Serve and drizzle with vinegar and Oil
Strain the crushed tomatoes into a bowl. Add the seasoning stir to combine. Spread on pizza or dip a bread stick. For a thicker version add a little Tomato paste.
Freeze any left overs.
Cream the cream cheese, and The Olive Twist Herb Dipping Blend. Best if you let it rest over night. Slice the cucumber and plate. Half the tomatoes. Place a dollop of cream cheese mixture on top of cucumber. Wedge a tomato half in the cream cheese.
Recipe Notes
TIP: for a creamier dip use 1/2 c Mayonnaise and 1/2 c sour cream with 2 Tablespoons of the Olive Twist Herb Dipping Blend
TWIST: Â Use any of our signature house herb blends -- Brazilian, Parisian, Dilly Cucumber etc.
