Stuffed Peppers With Veggies Lentil Sausage Food

SAUSAGE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut off the top quarter of each bell pepper and reserve. Scoop the seeds and veins out from the inside of each pepper and discard. Set bell pepper shells aside. Remove and discard the stems from each bell pepper top. Dice enough of the bell pepper tops to make 1/2 cup. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, crumble and brown the sausage until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the onions, 1/2 cup diced bell pepper, and the celery. Saute for 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the rice and mix well. Season with salt, pepper and Essence. Cook for about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the green onions and parsley. Season the insides of the bell pepper shells with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon the rice mixture into the bell peppers.
• In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and cheese. Season with a pinch of Essence and mix well. Sprinkle the crust over each pepper. Top each crust with 1 teaspoon of butter and place the peppers into an 8-inch baking dish or pan. Add just enough water to cover the bottom, about 1/3 cup. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are crusty and brown and warmed through. Serve hot.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

LENTIL STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Zest enough of the lemon to measure 1 teaspoon; cut the lemon in half and reserve.
• Add the olive oil to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the lemon zest, garlic, oregano and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring to combine, for a little bit for the garlic to toast. Add the rice and stir until the rice is coated and slightly toasted, about 30 seconds. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the rice is fluffy and all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside, covered, until ready to use.
• Slice the top 1/2 inch off of the bell peppers and hollow them out by removing the ribs and seeds. Place them standing cut-side up in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. (Discard the tops or save for another use.)
• Add the lentils, tomatoes, parsley, rice, 1 cup of the feta, the juice of one of the lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper to taste in large bowl. Toss to combine. Adjust the seasoning.
• Scoop the rice and lentil mixture into the peppers. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup feta over the top. Sprinkle with some more black pepper. Bake until the feta is starting to brown and the peppers have softened, 30 to 35 minutes. Drizzle with a little more oil, sprinkle with flaky salt and top with a squeeze of the remaining lemon half. Serve immediately.

SPICY STUFFED BELL PEPPERS (VEGETARIAN/VEGAN/GLUTEN-FREE)

Steps:

• Sautee onion, jalapeno, and garlic in oil until onion just starts to turn clear. Add carrots and cook another minute or two. Add rice, lentils, and liquid. Turn heat up to high. Stir in garam masala and 1 tablespoon of the Braggs. Bring to a boil. Then cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 40-50 minutes or until rice and lentils are tender.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tops off of bell peppers and clean seeds out from inside. Submerge in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Place in a shallow baking dish.
• Mix tomato paste, remaining Braggs, and ketchup in a small bowl. Add a little warm water to thin to the consistency of a thick sauce.
• When lentil/rice mixture is cooked, stir in corn and peas. Scoop mixture into bell peppers. Spoon tomato sauce on top of each and bake for about 20 minutes or until peppers are slightly tender and tomato sauce is dark.