Rainbow 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.

TOFU AND RICE STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Place rice and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes, or until tender.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and stir in garlic and tofu. Cook about 5 minutes. Mix in 1/4 cup marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and continue to cook and stir until tofu is evenly brown.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Using a wooden spoon or spatula, press an equal amount of rice into each pepper half. Layer rice with remaining marinara sauce, and 1/2 the cheese. Press equal amounts of tofu into the pepper halves. Place 1 tomato slice on each pepper, and top peppers with remaining mozzarella. Arrange stuffed peppers in a baking dish.
• Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until cheese is melted. Serve 1/2 of each color pepper to each person.

RAINBOW PEPPER APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Cut each pepper half into 9 pieces. Place skin side down in an ungreased cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; sprinkle with cheese, olives and, if desired, pepper flakes., Broil 3-4 in. from the heat until peppers are crisp-tender and cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes.

RAINBOW STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large Dutch oven with olive oil. Add jar of Cascones Marinara sauce to Dutch oven. (Or use your favorite Marinara sauce). Cut off tops of peppers, chop to make 1/2 cup, and reserve. Clean seeds and membranes out of peppers. Slice bottoms, if needed, to stand in Dutch oven. Set aside.
• In a large skillet brown ground beef and ground pork. Drain. Put in another container so you can use large skillet again.
• In the same large skillet add olive oil, onions, chopped pepper, and mushrooms. Cook until browned, drain juices. If the mixture gets too dry, add a splash of white cooking wine and cook down. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add can of drained chopped chili ready tomatoes. Stir and cook an additional 5 minutes or until simmering. Remove from heat. Add meat mixture, Parmesan cheese and spices into large skillet. Set aside.
• Cook water to boiling and add Minute Rice. Take off of heat and let sit for 7 minutes. Stirring 1/2 way through. Let all water absorb. Add rice to beef mixture in large skillet. Stuff peppers with mixture. Arrange the 5 stuffed peppers in the Dutch oven on top of the Marinara sauce. Cover with lid and cook for 1 hour.
• Remove lid and spoon some of the sauce on each stuffed pepper. Add shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each pepper. Put back in oven and cook until cheese is melted. Serve with the Marinara sauce. I made a side of mashed potatoes to go with the dinner.

STUFFED RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring brown rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, place a cover on the saucepan, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 40 minutes; transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break ground beef into small pieces and place in the skillet. Add onion, mushrooms, and garlic; cook and stir until the beef is completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Mix beef mixture into brown rice.
• Stir tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning into the rice mixture and season filling with salt and black pepper.
• Arrange bell peppers in a baking dish. Spoon filling into bell peppers.
• Bake in preheated oven until the peppers are tender, about 1 hour. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the stuffed peppers to serve.