Couscous Stuffed Ancient Sweets Red Peppers Food

HEALTHY VEGETABLE AND COUSCOUS STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut off the very tops of the peppers. Remove and discard the ribs and seeds and set the peppers aside.
• Drain the tomatoes in a colander set over a medium bowl. Reserve the juice and set the tomatoes aside over a plate to catch any residual juices. Stir the couscous, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper into the tomato juice and set aside while preparing the filling.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, zucchini, half the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high, stir in the couscous mixture and simmer rapidly, stirring frequently, until the couscous is just al dente and the liquid is beginning to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook, adjusting the heat if necessary, until the leaves are bright green and just beginning to wilt, about 30 seconds. Set the filling aside to cool slightly.
• To make the sauce, combine the remaining garlic and olive oil in a Dutch oven, add the chile flakes if using and stir to combine. Place the pot over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally at first then more frequently as the oil starts to sizzle to prevent the garlic from burning, until the garlic starts to stick to the edge of the spoon and is just beginning to turn a very pale straw color, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the reserved drained tomatoes plus any accumulated juices, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture just begins to come together and thicken, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Fold the feta and basil into the couscous filling. Fill a pepper with about 3/4 cup of the filling, scooping it in loosely and shaking the pepper to level the filling rather than packing it down. Nestle the filled pepper in the sauce in the pot, then repeat with the remaining peppers, propping them up against each other and the sides of the pot for stability during baking.
• Cover the pot and bake until the peppers are tender but not mushy and the sauce is bubbling, 45 to 60 minutes. Check after 45 minutes to see if the peppers are tender but not soft or they will be overcooked and mushy. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature with a generous scoop of the tomato sauce.

COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS WITH BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Filling: In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and cumin to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan until the couscous is tender and all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 to 6 minutes. Put the couscous in a large bowl and add the beans, currants, spinach, feta and 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir until all the ingredients are combined.
• Slice the tops off the peppers and remove all the ribs and seeds. If necessary, cut a very thin slice from the base to help the peppers stand up. Stuff the peppers with the filling and drizzle the tops with olive oil. Put the peppers in an 8 by 8-inch square baking dish. Fill the baking dish with 3/4-inch hot water and bake until the filling is golden and the peppers are cooked through, about 55 to 60 minutes. Cooks
• Sauce: In a blender, combine the basil, creme fraiche, olive oil, water, garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Remove the peppers from the oven and arrange on serving plates. Spoon the sauce around the peppers and serve.

SWEET AND SOUR COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Pulse the carrots, celery and shallots in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high. Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until light golden and soft, 8 to 10 minutes. (Add a splash of water if the mixture begins to stick.) Add the ground beef and 4 teaspoons of the tomato paste and cook, breaking the mixture up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water, the parsley, raisins, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until most of the water is absorbed and the mixture gets saucy, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, toss the pepper halves with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the peppers are pliable, 10 to 12 minutes. Carefully uncover the bowl and pour out any liquid that has accumulated.
• Stir the couscous into the beef mixture. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 3/4 cup water in the bottom of a large baking dish.
• Carefully transfer the peppers to the baking dish cut-side up and fill each pepper with the couscous mixture. Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the stuffing is hot, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature drizzled with the tomato cooking liquid.

COUSCOUS STUFFED ANCIENT SWEETS (RED PEPPERS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F
• Slitpeppers vertically down the center, leaving the stem intact. Gently spread peppers open and carefully remove the seeds. Season the inside with salt.
• Stuffing:.
• Combine broth, salt, oil, lemon juice, curry powder, garlic and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to a quick boil over high heat. Stir in couscous.
• Immediately remove from the heat and quickly cover with a tight lid. Set for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, exactly, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Lightly pack the mixture into the peppers.
• Place the peppers on a silpat lined baking sheet (or spray with cooking spray) and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the filling is hot and the peppers are tender.

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pop the peppers on a plate and microwave on Medium for 5 mins, until almost soft. Place on a baking tray, cut-side up.
• Meanwhile, place the couscous in a bowl and cover with 125ml boiling water. Stir, cover the bowl and leave to stand for 10 mins. Stir the couscous with a fork to break it up, then mix in the pine nuts, olives, feta, tomatoes and basil. Pile the couscous stuffing into the pepper halves and bake for 10 mins.

ITALIAN STUFFED SWEET PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Arrange the peppers, cut-side up, on a baking tray. Brush with a little oil from the pack of tomatoes & mozzarella, then season. Cook for 10 mins to soften slightly.
• Meanwhile, mix the couscous in a bowl with the pesto and pour over 125ml boiling water. Cover and leave for 5 mins to fluff up. Drain the tomatoes & mozzarella well, then mix into the couscous. Divide between the peppers, then sprinkle over the breadcrumbs
• Bake for 15-20 mins until the top is crisp and the peppers are tender.

BEEF & COUSCOUS STUFFED ROASTED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• In 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan, arrange bell peppers, cut-side down.
• Bake in 450 degree oven 10 to 15 minutes or until peppers begin to brown.
• Set aside.
• Meanwhile in large nonstick skillet, brown ground beef and zucchini over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef up into 1/2-inch crumbles.
• Pour off drippings.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir water and seasonings packet from couscous mix into beef mixture.
• Bring to a boil.
• Stir in couscous; remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir in olives.
• Spoon beef mixture evenly into each pepper half; sprinkle with cheese.

GREMOLATA COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the couscous and raisins in a heatproof bowl. Stir together the stock, honey and lemon juice, then pour over the couscous. Cover and leave to absorb for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the gremolata. Place the lemon zest, garlic and parsley in a mini food processor, then whizz until fine (or finely chop everything together). Stir 1 tbsp of this mixture into the yogurt, then set aside. Stir the remaining mixture into the couscous with the tomatoes and some seasoning.
• Spoon the couscous mixture into each pepper half, then sit them in a small roasting tin. Drizzle with oil, then bake for 40 mins until the peppers are tender. Serve with the yogurt and a simple green salad on the side.