Ingredients

  • 1 large red bell pepper
  • 2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, cooled to lukewarm
  • 2 large eggs, beaten to blend

Method

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • Butter 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan.
  • Char pepper directly over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides.
  • Enclose in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes.
  • Peel, seed, and coarsely chop pepper.
  • Whisk cornmeal and next 4 ingredients in bowl to blend.
  • Add buttermilk, butter, and eggs.
  • Stir just to moisten.
  • Mix in bell pepper; transfer to prepared pan.
  • Bake bread until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
  • Cool in pan.
  • (Can be made 1 day ahead.
  • Cover and store at room temperature.)