Today's product tips: Jarred peppers from the grocery and fresh mini peppers from Costco. Today's recipe: A 'vegged up' ham sandwich with an easy goat cheese-red pepper spread.

PEPPER SANDWICHES Hands-on time: 15 minutes

Time to table: 15 minutes

Serves 1 - as needed



GOAT CHEESE PEPPER SPREAD - per sandwich

1 tablespoon goat cheese

1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise

Chopped fresh or jarred red peppers (or sun-dried tomatoes)

Chopped herbs - cilantro or basil or dill, say

Bit of liquid to thin - I used liquid from the pepper jar

Red pepper flakes to taste



SANDWICHES

Good bread - I used a salty foccacia (for St. Louisans, from BreadSmith)

Smoked ham - leftover from Christmas,

1/2 a roasted/pickled pepper - from a jar

Spinach, lettuce, more fresh basil maybe (not used but recommended)





GOAT CHEESE PEPPER SPREAD - per sandwich1 tablespoon goat cheese1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaiseChopped fresh or jarred red peppers (or sun-dried tomatoes)Chopped herbs - cilantro or basil or dill, sayBit of liquid to thin - I used liquid from the pepper jarRed pepper flakes to tasteSANDWICHESGood bread - I used a salty foccacia (for St. Louisans, from BreadSmith)Smoked ham - leftover from Christmas, Note to Vegetarians 1/2 a roasted/pickled pepper - from a jarSpinach, lettuce, more fresh basil maybe (not used but recommended)

Pound for edible pound, fresh peppers are increasingly expensive. Here in St. Louis, the everyday supermarket price ranges from $1.50 to $2.00 a pepper --! Demand is high, so sale prices are rare. For a few weeks in early fall, locally grown peppers are plump and plentiful (and cheap, say $.25 each) at the farmers market -- even while the grocery stores are charging the same $1.50 to $2.00 for peppers imported from somewhere. (Wouldn't you know it? This week my local supermarket has peppers on sale for $1 apiece. I bought several!)So I keep my eyes peeled for pepper products -- and have two to recommend.JARRED PEPPERS - For $2 to $3, I find jars of (slightly pickled) peppers and jars of roasted peppers. Each jar holds six or more whole peppers, so they'll go a long way. But forget the regular supermarkets for the lower prices. Here I find them at an Italian market (for St. Louisans, Viviano's on The Hill) and at an international market (for St. Louisans, Global Foods in Kirkwood) but of course, you'll need to keep your own eyes peeled. They keep - so it's easy to stock up on a jar or two.MINI PEPPERS - A two-pound bag of these gorgeous mini peppers was $5 at Costco - and to my wallet, worth every cent. They make great snacks, plus it's also easy to chop one or two for an omelet or garnishing a soup -- so there's little waste. Plus, they're just so darn 'cute', yes?YOUR EXPERIENCE - What's your experience with pepper prices, both fresh and in 'convenience products' like these I recommend? Are they in your budget?PRINT JUST A RECIPE! Now you can print a recipe without wasting ink and paper on the header and sidebar. Here's how NEVER MISS A RECIPE! For 'home delivery' of new recipes from A Veggie Venture, sign up here . Once you do, new recipes will be delivered, automatically, straight to your e-mail In Box.