Stuffed Bell Peppers

The last couple of posts were all about amazing food restaurants made for me, so I thought I better get back in the kitchen. Tonight I tried a new recipe from my mom's kitchen. The other night she was raving on about these stuffed bell peppers she was making for her and my dad. Apparently my dad loves them and they both can't get enough. What I want to know is why she's never made those for me. In fact, I didn't even know she made stuffed bell peppers, and tonight when I made them was my first time ever tasting them. I had some bell peppers and was trying to figure out what to do with them before they went bad, so I had my mom email me over the recipe and I gave it a try.

In my head when I thought of stuffed bell peppers I envisioned a half of a pepper stuffed. But apparently you;re supposed to cut the top off and stuff the whole pepper. I did a major no-no and started cutting before I read the whole recipe, which clearly said, "cut the top off and clean out the inside." So we improvised. I'm pretty sure it all turned out the same. So you should start by cutting off the top of the pepper and cleaning out the insides. Then you're going to put them into boiling water for about five minutes. They should turn a brighter green than they currently are. This is just to help soften them up so they're not crunchy when you eat them. The stuffing is really easy to make too. Start by sauteing half an onion, and half a pound of ground turkey (hamburger, if you prefer) add in the spices and diced tomatoes and you're good to go. Make sure to salt and pepper the turkey well. And you can adjust the cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Mom's recipe calls for Pappies Seasoning, but I didn't have any, and we didn't miss it. Also, instead of minute rice, I used regular rice that was already cooked. Just add it to the pan to warm it and season it.

Well, needless to say, my Mom did it again. I'm not sure where this recipe originated, but she has made it her own and I'd say it's a keeper. Brian loved them, but said they were very filling. This was the only thing we had for dinner and it was plenty. Enjoy!

Debby's Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:
3 medium green bell peppers
½ onion
½ pound ground turkey
1 14 oz. petite diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup minute rice
1 tsp worchestershire sauce
Salt
Pepper
Pinch of pappies seasoning
Pinch of garlic powder
Tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat oven 350.

Cut off top of peppers and clean out the insides. Place them in a pot of boiling water. Be sure they are covered with water and cook for 5 – 8 minutes. They will change from dark green to a lighter color.

Saute onion in olive oil
Add turkey meat and spices.
Cook till meat is done.
Add cheese

Fill up cups with meat filling. Cover with a little cheese.

Bake uncovered for 30 min. in 350 oven.