Southweststuffedpepperslight Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Brown the ground beef in a large fry pan over medium high heat for 5 minutes or until cooked almost through. Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic and cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the diced tomato, tomato paste, cumin, chile powder and kosher salt and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Stir in the black beans, green chiles, corn, cooked rice and chopped cilantro.
• Meanwhile, cut off the tops of the peppers and spoon out the ribs and seeds, then rinse. Lightly sprinkle the inside of the peppers with kosher salt and place in a microwave safe dish with ¼ cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 minutes or until they start to soften.
• Transfer to a 3 quart baking dish and fill the peppers with the hot meat and rice mixture. Sprinkle the tops with cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is browned. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro. Serve hot.

SOUTHWEST STUFFED PEPPERS (LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°f. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
• In small saucepan, bring the stock and rice to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, then cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until the rice is tender. Drain any excess stock.
• Lightly coat a large saucepan with cooking spray, add the oil and set over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the corn and sauté another 5 minutes or until the corn starts to brown. Add the ground beef and sauté until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked rice, beans, chili powder, basil, cumin, salt, pepper and salsa and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add ½ cup of the cheese, along with the sour cream and cilantro or parsley.
• Carefully remove and discard the top from each of the peppers. Remove the ribs and seeds and discard. Place the peppers on the baking sheet and fill them with the beef stuffing. Bake for 25 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake for another 2 minutes or just until the cheese melts.

SLOW-COOKED SOUTHWEST STUFFED PEPPERS - VEGETARIAN

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds and white pith. Set aside.
• In large bowl, combine the beans, cheese, salsa, onion, corn, rice, chili powder and cumin. Spoon into peppers. Place in 5-quart slow cooker coated with cooking spray.
• Cover and cook on Low for 3-4 hours or until peppers are tender and filling is heated through. Serve with sour cream if desired.