Cheese Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers Food

CRAB-AND-CHEESE-STUFFED MINI PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut the peppers lengthwise and remove the stems, seeds and ribs. If needed, trim a small amount off the bottom of each pepper half so that it will lie flat when cut-side up (making them steady is important so the filling stays intact during baking). Chop the trimmings into small pieces and set aside.
• Toss the pepper halves in a medium bowl with the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Set aside.
• Stir together the softened cream cheese and reserved pepper trimmings in another medium bowl until smooth. Gently fold in the crabmeat and season with salt and pepper.
• Fill each pepper half with about 1 tablespoon of the crab mixture so it comes over the top of the pepper slightly. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the filling is beginning to brown, about 18 minutes. Serve warm.

CHEESE STUFFED MINI SWEET PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and halve the peppers and remove the seeds. Leave the stem intact so that the cheese does not ooze out at it melts--also for the cuteness factor. Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan together in a small bowl. I used Emeril's italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs; if you're using plain, you will want to season with salt and herbs. Using a small spoon, stuff about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons of cheese in each pepper half; no more than half full as the cheese puffs as it bakes. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on pepper halves and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes depending upon how soft you like your peppers.

MINI BELL PEPPERS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil. Place peppers on the baking sheet and roast 8 to10 minutes (small peppers - less than 2 inches long - will cook faster), turning them over halfway through. The peppers should be soft but not charred, except perhaps in a few spots. Remove from heat and allow to cool. If there are some larger peppers in the bag and they haven't softened in 10 minutes, return to oven for another 5.
• While peppers are cooling, make filling. Combine goat cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until mix is very smooth, at least one minute. Scrape down sides of bowl and process for another minute. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 3/8-inch star tip.
• When peppers have cooled, slice off ends just below the shoulders. Carefully remove any seeds and membranes. The peppers should be intact, but sometimes, they split down one side. Place any that have not split upright in a small glass or cup to facilitate filling, and pipe in goat cheese mix. Lay those that have split on a plate, pipe on the filling and close the pepper around the filling. Arrange stuffed peppers on a plate or platter. Serve at once, or chill until 30 minutes before serving. Bring to room temperature so cheese is soft and creamy.

MINI STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place halved peppers in a bowl. Add olive oil and salt; toss to combine.
• Mix goat cheese, Parmesan cheese, jalapeno, garlic, chives, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Spoon cheese mixture into pepper halves and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until peppers have softened and cheese is browned, about 15 minutes.

CHEESY MINI PEPPERS

Steps:

• Smear the cream cheese spread inside the hollowed-out halves of the sweet peppers and jalapenos. Sprinkle on chopped chives.

COTTAGE CHEESE-STUFFED MINI PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat broiler.
• Place peppers, cut sides up, on baking sheet.
• Mix all remaining ingredients except shredded cheese until blended; spoon into pepper shells.
• Top with shredded cheese.
• Broil, 4 inches from heat, 2 to 4 min. or until cheese is hot and bubbly, and golden brown.

CHEESY SAUSAGE-STUFFED MINI PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a small frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds. Add Jimmy Dean sausage and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until browned, stirring frequently to break up the sausage into small pieces, then drain. Remove the sausage and set aside.
• To the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and reduce heat to medium. Add diced mushrooms and saute for about 5 minutes, until mushrooms are softened and brown.
• In a bowl, mix the sausage and mushrooms with the rice and parsley, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella. Season to taste, and fill each bell pepper halfway with the mixture.
• Top each pepper with additional cheese, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Carefully remove the peppers from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

MINI SWEET PEPPERS STUFFED WITH HERB GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Leaving the peppers stem intact, cut a slit from the stem to the bottom tip of each pepper and remove seeds.
• In a bowl combine the goat cheese, snipped herbs, garlic, salt and black pepper.
• Spoon the mixture into the peppers.
• On a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray arrange the peppers in a single layer.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until peppers are tender crisp.
• Arrange the prepared peppers into a pyramid shape on a small platter and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
• Enjoy!