Delicious Spicy Stuffed Peppers
This dish is quite easy to make. It tastes great, it is very healthy, and it is beautiful for presentation. I have presented about 30 pictures here, in various steps and in different angles, to show you how appealing these stuffed peppers are, and how easy, tasty and healthy the recipe is. Just for the trouble I went through, please try this recipe at least once!
Hover over the highlighted Keywords below for Images and/or Description of some of the Ingredients:
Bell Peppers, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Olive Oil, Rice
SLIDE SHOW :
Spicy Stuffed Peppers
Print recipe| Serves | 2 |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 25 minutes |
| Dietary | Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Lunch, Side Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Region | Italian |
Ingredients
- 2 Large Bell Peppers (see pictures)
- 1 Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 can Tomato Sauce
- 6 - 10 leaves Fresh Basil (only the leaves, finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Blend Spice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
- 4 tablespoons Olive Oil (or any cooking oil)
Optional
- 4 - 6 cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
Directions
| Preparing the Bell Peppers | |
| Step 1 | |
|
Cut off a flat layer, at the top of the bell peppers, as close to the stem as possible. Carefully discard the seeds and membranes, without splitting the peppers.  | |
| Step 2 | |
|
Place a wok or a deep pan on medium heat. Add 1 cup of water. Place the bell peppers face down in the water.  | |
| Steaming the Bell Peppers | |
| Step 3 | |
|
You can also place the sliced tops of the bell peppers along with the peppers and steam them. Or, instead of steaming the tops, you can chop them separately, and cook them with the onion when preparing the sauce.  | |
| Step 4 | |
|
Cover and steam the peppers for 3 minutes. Make sure there is some water in the pan. | |
| Step 5 | |
|
Turn them around, cover, and steam them face up for 3 minutes, or until the peppers look about half cooked. They should look softer and cooked, but still very firm. Do not overcook. If you do, they will break when you try to stuff them. | |
| Step 6 | |
|
Transfer the peppers to a microwaveable casserole or any suitable dish, big enough to hold the peppers and the sauce around them. Sprinkle salt inside the peppers all around.  | |
| Preparing the Sauce | |
| Step 7 | |
|
Chop the thinly sliced tops of the bell peppers. Add this to a frypan on medium heat, along with oil, chopped onion, garlic and half a teaspoon salt. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the veggies are cooked.  | |
| Step 8 | |
|
Add the tomato sauce and the spices. If the tomato sauce does not have salt, add half a teaspoon salt to the mixture. Cook on low heat for 3 minutes.  | |
| Step 9 | |
|
Add the cottage cheese and mix.  | |
| Step 10 | |
|
Cook for 2 minutes. When done the mixture should be moist and thick. Taste a little and a little more add salt and spices, if you like.The sauce is ready.  | |
| Step 11 | |
Place a tablespoon of grated mozzarella cheese at the bottom of the peppers. | |
| Preparing the Bell Peppers | |
| Step 12 | |
|
Spoon the sauce mixture in the peppers, leaving about 1/2 to 1 inch space at the top.  | |
| Step 13 | |
|
Add more grated mozarella cheese on top.  | |
| Step 14 | |
|
Add the rest of the sauce around the peppers in the bottom of the microwaveable dish . | |
| Step 15 | |
|
Place the dish in the microwave oven and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted at the top.  | |
| Serve and Enjoy | |
| Step 16 | |
|
Serve hot on a hot bed of steamed rice or with garlic toast.  | |
| Step 17 | |
|
For a healthy side dish alternative, see the Recipe on this site for "Yummy Easy Healthy Cucumber Salad".  | |
