How To Cut A Fresh Bell Pepper

Cutting bell peppers can be an easy and effective task with the right guidance. Even the first-timer in the kitchen will find it easy to cut bell peppers if they have the right instructions. So, here are the step-by-step guidelines:

Tools required

• Fresh Bell Peppers
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board

Instructions

After collecting the above equipment, you should follow the instructions below:

Step-1 Wash The Bell Peppers

• You should rinse the bell peppers in cold water to remove the dirt and debris. Just make sure they are cleaned thoroughly.
• After that, use the paper towel or any towel you have to dry the peppers. This helps them from slipping while cutting.

Step-2 Remove the stem and bottom

• Place the bell peers on its side on the cutting board. 
• Now, you should slice off the top (stem end) and bottom of the bell pepper. Doing this, you should now have two flat ends.
• Use the pieces for later use as they still remain fresh and healthy.

Step-3 Remove the Core and Seeds

• Stand the pepper upright on the cutting board. But make sure the flat bottom is kept in base.
• After that, you need to make a vertical cut on one side of the pepper to open it up.
• Then, slide your knife along the inside of the pepper, cutting around the core (the part with the seeds) to separate it from the flesh. Also, you should remove the core and discard it.
• You can use your fingers or the knife to remove any remaining seeds and white membranes inside the pepper. Also, it will be better to rinse the inside of the pepper under water to remove any stubborn seeds.

Step-4 Flatten The Pepper

• You should lay the peppers flat on a cutting board with the skin side down.
• Then, you need to press down gently to flatten the pepper, making it easier to cut.

Step-5 Cut The Pepper

• First, you need to decide what type of shape you need for your recipe. You can cut it into strips if you want to make stir-fries, fajitas, or salads. Just cut the peppers lengthwise along the pepper to create uniform slices.
• For salsas, soups, or stuffing, you can cut the strips into smaller pieces by making perpendicular cuts. This results in diced bell peppers.

Step-6 Cut the Top and Bottom

• You need to take the top and bottom pieces you have cut off earlier.
• After that remove any remaining seeds or membranes.
• Finally, you can slice or dice these pieces to add them to your dish.

Step-7 Store or use immediately

• It's better to use them immediately after cutting. However, you can store them and use them later as they remain fresh and healthy for up to 4 days. After that, the taste and texture may start to decline.

Cutting bell peppers in ring shapes is a brilliant way that upgrade the presentation idea. Also, the thin ring shapes are good for the perfect blend of spices offering a delicious taste. This method of cutting is absolutely easy and can be done in a few steps. 

You can get the perfect result in your first practice if you follow the instructions properly. 

Tools Required

• Knife
• Cutting Board
• Towel

Instructions

1. To get started, you should wash the peppers first. Then use a towel and dry them completely.
2. After that, you should lay the peppers on its side and cut off the top.
3. You need to use your fingers or a knife to remove the core and seeds from inside the pepper. Then, you should rinse it out if needed.
4. Now, it's time to place the peppers horizontally on the cutting board. 
5. Using a sharp knife, slice the pepper crosswise into rings of your desired thickness (usually about 1/4 inch).
6. Then, you need to push out any inner membranes from the rings and separate the rings if they are stuck together.
7. Finally, your rings are ready and you can add them to your favorite recipes.

Cutting bell peppers in a julienne shape is another brilliant idea to cut them. Beautifully cut-in strips not only upgrade the plating idea but also help you achieve savory dishes. The thin strips blend with the dishes so quickly and help save cooking time as well. 

However, you should know the best way to cut peppers into perfect julienne. You can achieve that by following the instructions below: 

Tools Required

• Towel (paper or cloth)
• Knife
• Cutting Board

Instructions

1. Like in other processes, you need to wash the peppers first. Then, dry them with a towel (paper or cloth) to prevent smoothness during cutting.
2. Now, you should lay the bell pepper on its side and slice off the top (stem end) and the bottom. Also, you need to set these pieces aside for later use.
3. After that, you should stand the peppers upright on the cutting board and then make a vertical cut down one side to open the pepper. 
4. Then, slide your knife along the inside, cutting away the core and seeds. Also, it is better to discard the core.
5. Now, lay the bell pepper skin-side down on the cutting board and press it flat with your hands.
6. Then, it's time to cut the flattened pepper into thin, even strips lengthwise, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, depending on your preference.
   Also, it is better to keep the slices uniform for even cooking.
7. Take the top and bottom pieces you set aside, remove any seeds, and slice them into strips as well. You should consume them within 4 days.

Minced bell peppers are quite popular and are very versatile. They can be used in several dishes and being finely chopped they offer a good flavor in the dish. However, mincing pepper is a responsible task that requires a certain skill. 

Doing this without proper knowledge can cause cuts on your finger. This needs to be done carefully as this requires continuous running of the knife over bell peppers. However, you can get the best result with the instructions below:

Tools Required

• Towel
• Knife
• Cutting Board

Instructions

1. You can start this process by rinsing the bell peppers in cold water. After a thorough cleaning, you can dry it with paper or a cloth towel. 
2. Then, you should lay the bell pepper on its side and slice off the top (stem end) and bottom.
3. Just like the above methods, you can remove the core and seeds now. Also, make sure you discard the core and any remaining seeds.
4. Laying the bell pepper skin-side down on the cutting board, you should press the peppers flat. Then start cutting the peppers into thin strips.
5. After that, gather the strips and chop them crosswise into very small, fine pieces, as small as you can manage.
6. For an even finer mince, you can run your knife over the pile of chopped bell pepper, using a rocking motion to achieve a fine mince.

Choosing the best bell peppers is absolutely necessary to get fresh and flavorful results. It also helps to save time as well as makes it easy to handle the process. You can choose the best bell peppers in the following ways:

Check The Color

• You should choose bright and vibrant colors. No matter what color you use whether green, red, yellow, or orange, it is necessary to have consistent colors across entire peppers.
• You should avoid peppers with green patches as this may indicate they are not properly ripened. 

Inspect The Skin

• The skin of the peppers should be smooth and firm. If they are wrinkled or dull then there will be a high chance of spoilage.
• Also, you should choose teh bell peppers with clear skin without any bruises or cuts. 

Shape Matters

• You should choose bell peppers that look symmetrical and even in shape. This makes them easier to cut and results in more uniform pieces.
• Also, it will be better if you use pepper with a flat bottom to make it more stable when you place it on the cutting board.

Feel The Weight

• You should lift the peppers to feel the weight. If they feel heavy for its size then you can pick it. If they feel light then you should understand that such peppers are old, dry, and likely to spoil soon.

Size Matters

• You should know that large-sized bell peppers are perfect for cutting. So, choose the larger ones and avoid smaller ones as smaller peppers are ideal for stuffing purposes more than cutting.

Uniform Size

• It is better to use uniform-sized peppers for the ease of cutting process. If you use odd shapes or heavily curved peppers, then it will be hard to cut them and also consume more time.