Stuffed Bell Peppers make a delicious side dish or a savory main meal.
Author: The Surprised Gourmet
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
3 Bell Peppers
2 Tablespoons Canola oil
¾ Cup minced bell pepper
¼ Cup minced onion
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 can (14.5 ounces) petit diced tomatoes
½ Tablespoon dried oregano
½ Tablespoon dried basil
1 ½ Cups cooked rice
1 ½ Teaspoons fresh ground kosher salt
¼ Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 Cups ground pork
½ Cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
2 Large eggs, beaten
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut tops off the 3 bell peppers and remove the excess membrane and ribs. Put the bell pepper in a pan of water making sure the peppers are covered by water. Boil for 5 minutes, drain and set aside.
Take the tops of the peppers and mince finely. Turn skillet on medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of Canola oil. Put in ¾ cup minced bell pepper and sauté for 3 minutes, add ¼ cup minced onions and 1 tablespoon dried parsley sauté another 2 minutes and add 1 tablespoon minced garlic sauté for about 30 seconds more. Be sure to keep stirring this so you don’t let it burn, especially when the garlic is added. Turn off heat.
Add 1 can (14.5 ounces, about 1 ½ cups) petit diced tomatoes to the mixture. Don’t drain the tomatoes. Now turn the skillet on to simmer.
Add ½ tablespoon of dried oregano and ½ tablespoon of dried basil to the mix. Continue to stir and let simmer. Add 1 ½ cup of cooked rice (can use instant, regular or steamed rice). The rice marries with all the flavors and absorbs the liquids. Add 1 ½ teaspoons fresh ground kosher salt and a ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper. Add 2 cups cooked ground pork.* Continue to stir as the mixture simmers for about 7 to 10 more minutes. **
Remove mixture from pan, put in large bowl. Add ½ cup Kraft shredded mild cheddar cheese and 2 beaten large eggs into the mixture. Once the mixture is blended thoroughly, spoon into the bell peppers. Should stuff about 4 large bell peppers. Place in casserole dish and bake 45 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven.
*Ground pork can be made from 4 cooked boneless pork chops that have been sliced and put into the food processor. There will be more than 2 cups of the ground pork after placed in the food processor.
**Even though this is a stuffing mixture concocted for the stuffed bell peppers, you could stop at this stage before you add the eggs and eat it as it is. It would go good on a bed of spinach.
Recipe by The Surprised Gourmet at http://thesurprisedgourmet.com/2015/09/23/tastebuds-love-stuffed-bell-peppers/