Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed Bell Peppers-Carol

4 medium bell peppers (red, yellow, green, whatever is on sale or in your garden) trim off tops and remove and discard cores and seeds

1/2 cup long-grain white rice
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
12 ounces ground beef
3 cloves minced garlic
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained but reserve 1/4 cup juice from tomatoes
1 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley(optional)
Ground black pepper
1/4 cup ketchup

Directions:
Bring 4 quarts water to boil in stockpot over high heat.

Add 1 tablespoons salt and bell peppers to boiling water. Cook until peppers begin to soften about 3 minutes.
Remove peppers with slotted and drain on paper towels, cut-side up.

Return water to boil and add rice. Boil about 13 minutes or until tender.

Drain rice and transfer to large bowl; set aside.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large skillet, over medium high heat; add oil. Cook onion about 5 minutes, or until softened and brown.

Add ground beef to onion mixture. Cook about 4-5 minutes or until no longer pink. Stir in garlic and cook about 30 seconds.

Add this mixture to bowl with rice. Stir in tomatoes, 1 cup cheese, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

In a small bowl stir together ketchup and reserved tomato juice.

Place peppers cut-side up in a 9 inch square baking dish. Spoon filling evenly among peppers. Spoon 2 tablespoons ketchup mixture over filled pepper and spring with remaining cheese.

Bake until cheese is browned and filling is heated through. About 25-30 minutes.

I double this recipe.

It is a great leftover too.

Rainbow Pancakes

Rainbow Pancakes-Carol

Using your favorite pancake mix or recipe, separate into bowls and add food color to each bowl. Cook per recipe instructions and serve.

This was served on St. Patrick's Day.