Recently, we learned all about hot peppers. Today we turn to their mild-mannered cousin, the bell pepper. Crunchy when raw, meltingly sweet when roasted, bell peppers come in a rainbow of colors. And unlike other peppers, which vary in heat depending on factors ranging from their species to the weather, you'll never find a hot bell pepper: due to a recessive gene, they don't produce capsaicin, the chemical that causes spiciness.

It’s like clockwork: right around the time the leaves start to change color, we start seeking solace in our pantries. 

It's a cross between summer and Meatless Monday in the twins' lunchboxes today -- although those apples are an omen of fall! We'll let Amanda explain:

There were still peppers and corn in the market so I decided it was time for a stew of them. That was the main course, just glistening sweet pepper stew. On the side, yogurt, and an apple. I figured they could get meat or fish at dinner.

What's in your lunchbox?

Add a little home-baked nostalgia to your next brown bag lunch with this wholesome take on a store-bought favorite.