Stuffed Peppers

This is one of my favorite recipes. It takes longer to make these stuffed peppers than most of my other recipes, but it is well worth it. 

10 min prep, 70 min cook, serves 5

1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice

1/2 onion, minced

1 tblspn olive oil 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground turkey

salt and pepper to taste

2 cans tomato sauce

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

5 red, orange, or yellow bell peppers

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the onion and olive oil 5 minutes. Add the garlic, turkey, salt, and pepper and cook until turkey has browned. Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pot, warm the sauce, cream, basil, and garlic powder over low heat. After the turkey has been browned, add the rice, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the sauce to the frying pan. In a medium baking dish, place the peppers, tops removed, so that they stand up. Fill with turkey mixture and pour remaining sauce on top and around peppers. Bake for 20 minutes, then cover with foil and bake 30 minutes more. 

Red Pepper Turkey-loaf and Parmesan Potatoes

We don't cook meat often, but when we do, we usually use ground turkey. Turkey cooked with vegetables has a wonderful flavor and texture, and it can serve as a lean meat substitute for traditonal ground beef recipes. 

20 min prep, 45 min cook, serves 6

For the turkey-loaf:

1 1/4 lbs ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

7 oz jar roasted red peppers, chopped

1 cup chopped cilantro

1 cup grated parmesan

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

3 tblspns Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

For the potatoes:

6-8 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed

3 tblspn olive oil

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic salt

1/3 cup grated parmesan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the potatoes in a roasting pan and spread the remaining ingredients on top. Use a spoon and mix the oil, seasonings, and cheese until the potatoes are well coated, then place in the oven. Next, mix the turkey-loaf ingredients in a large bowl, then form a loaf in a casserole dish leaving space between the loaf and sides of the dish.  Place in oven with potatoes and bake 45 minutes. Stir the potatoes once after they have cooked for about 30 minutes.