Lauries Stuffed Peppers Food

THE BEST STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• If your peppers don't sit upright on your cutting board, trim about 1/8-inch off the bottoms to even them out so they can stand without falling over. Cut the top off each pepper about 1/2-inch down. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the remaining flesh from the tops. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membranes as you can. Place the peppers in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high power for 12 minutes. Carefully uncover and let them sit until ready to assemble.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the beef in an even layer and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, breaking up any clumps with the back of a spoon and scraping up any browned bits from the pan until the meat is lightly browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and add the reserved chopped peppers, onions, garlic, thyme, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until falling apart and much of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly until brick red colored, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook until the mixture is reduced, very thick and no smell of alcohol remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Transfer to the bowl with the beef. Stir in the rice until completely combined. (The mixture will be wet.) Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Place the peppers cut-side up in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spoon the filling into the peppers, gently pressing it in with the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overstuff and split the sides of the peppers. Bake for 15 minutes. Then top with the cheese and continue baking until the filling is heated through and the cheese is browned in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.

LAURIE'S STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, beef, and onion until sausage and beef are evenly brown and onion is tender. Season with garlic salt. Drain grease. Mix in 2 cans diced tomatoes and 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Prepare the rice according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut the peppers in half lengthwise, retaining stems, and remove seeds. Arrange pepper halves in a baking dish, and fill each with about 1/3 cup rice. Top with equal amounts of the meat mixture. Pour remaining meat mixture and remaining 2 cans diced tomatoes around the peppers in the dish. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly. Top evenly with cheese, and continue baking 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

LAUREN'S MEXICAN STUFFED RED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and start the rice cooking (you'll need 2 cups after cooking).
• Arrange tomato slices across bottom of large, shallow baking dish; very lightly sprinkle with salt.
• Wash bell peppers and cut in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place halves in baking dish so that each sits on a tomato slice; very lightly sprinkle with salt.
• Cook the hamburger over med-high heat with 1 tsp salt, onions and garlic; remove grease; add cumin and chili powder.
• Cook the eggs (scrambled).
• Combine the cooked eggs, cooked rice, cheese and hamburger mixture; spoon into each bell pepper half. (Optional: add an additional coating of cheese on top).
• Refrigerate until ready to bake (within 2 days).
• When ready to bake, pour 1/2 cup water into bottom of baking pan (don't pour directly onto tomatoes or bell peppers) and then cover entire pan tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted.