Red bell peppers belong to the capsicum family. All bell peppers start out green and progress through the yellow and orange stages before reaching their most flavourful red stage.
Red bell peppers are considered the healthiest because they contain high levels of vitamins like C and A, and antioxidants. All bell peppers offer nutritional benefits but the red, yellow, and orange are the most flavourful.
Bell peppers can be used in every aspect of cooking, but the hollow insides of the peppers make them ideal for stuffing with ground meats, cheeses, and grains as shown in the stuffed red and yellow bell peppers recipe below.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 red and yellow bell peppers
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp. olive or canola oil
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 tsp. minced ginger
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 2 cups cooked long grain rice
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash and dry the bell peppers, then slice in half and remove the pith and seeds.
- Brush the bell peppers with a little oil and sprinkle some salt and black pepper. Place the peppers cut side up on a baking tray and roast in the oven for about 10 minutes.
- While the peppers are baking, prepare the filling by heating the remaining oil in a skillet. Then add onions and sauté for a few minutes until softened.
- Next add the garlic, ginger, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon stick, and the ground beef. Sauté the mixture until the beef turns brown then add a cup of water, cover and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the beef is cooked and the liquid dries up.
- Remove from heat and discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick before adding the cooked rice and half the cheese.
- Arrange roasted bell pepper halves in a baking dish and spoon the beef and rice mixture into them. Bake on middle rack of oven for about 20 minutes then sprinkle remaining cheese and bake peppers uncovered for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, garlic bread, or cornbread if desired.
Bon Appétit!
