STUFFED PEPPERS – a “peppery” Valentine’s Day Tale

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“Simple homemade food can cheer up someone and bind a family as it is an act of love.”

Guy Fieri

Hi there,

Last month Valentine’s Day fell on a Tuesday. My much-loved husband came home the Sunday before with a bag of bell peppers and a big smile. I couldn’t help but smile back and wonder about the peppers. Dom makes a huge salad every Sunday to eat for lunch during the week. But this was a HUGE bag of peppers. I asked him what he intended to do with this red mountain. And he replied smiling, “I thought you could make stuffed peppers.”

I had to laugh at his enthusiastic response. So, not even remembering that Valentine’s Day was Tuesday, I responded, “the peppers will have to wait until Tuesday because I already have Sunday and Monday’s dinner planned.”

Tuesday rolled around, and I realized I had committed to Stuffed Peppers for this romantic holiday, but since preparing a meal is an expression of love and the peppers were red anyway, I went with it.

Keeping to my personal theme for the year, “a smidge healthier,” here is the recipe:

STUFFED PEPPERS – a “peppery” Valentine’s Day tale

Recipe by Bernadette

A deliciously healthy “peppery” treat.

Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Cooking time

45

minutes

Ingredients

Preparation

  • In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Note – it is not necessary to cook the grain packet.
  • Mix thoroughly by hand
  • Prepare a casserole dish by spraying it with olive oil
  • Slice 4 peppers in half and stuff with meat mixture
  • Cook covered at 375 for 30 minutes
  • Remove cover and cook another 15 minutes

Notes

  • Unfortunately, I didn’t realize the amount of sodium in the Truroot product. It is, otherwise, a very healthy mix of grains and lentils. I would not recommend adding any additional salt to this recipe.

33 responses to “STUFFED PEPPERS – a “peppery” Valentine’s Day Tale”

  1. I haven’t had stuffed peppers in years, but these look delicious. I’m not familiar with the quinoa, rice, lentil blend so I learned something new too.

    • Hi Judy, I wasn’t either but it jumped off the shelf at the grocers and into my cart. Hope spring is popping up in your neck of the woods.

  2. Darlene – British Columbia, Canada – Writer of children's stories, short stories and travel articles. https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=201634059868404&id=631897250&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/pages/Darlene-Foster-Writer/362236842733
    Darlene says:

    I love stuffed peppers and often make them for my main dish at Christmas as I don’t eat meat. I have a number of delicious recipes. This one is similar to how mom made hers as she used meat as well. I think they would be perfect for Valentine’s Day.

  3. Chef Mimi – As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!
    Chef Mimi says:

    These look wonderful! I never remember to stuff peppers and I’m not sure why. Thanks for the reminder!

  4. I like stuffed veggies, but I usually eat the filling and dump the veggies LOL…yours looks very yummy!

    • Hi Antionette, I made a double batch of stuffing and froze half of just the stuffing. My plan is to defrost for another meal with fresh peppers. Have a great week.

  5. No doubt it was a very original Valentine day present!
    The peppers look delicious. Great idea, to add quinoa to the mix. 🙂

  6. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen – I'm a writer, cook, gardener, photographer, poet, quilter, and accomplished daydreamer. I'm also a wife, mother, grandmother, sister. cousin, aunt, and friend, no particular order on any given day. I've been a writer all my life, newspaper reporter and columnist, radio news writer, and magazine contributor, and poet and short-story writer as the spirit moves. Now, I turn my attention to my cookbook, the blog, and a cooking column "Memorable Meals," which runs in our county newspaper. Besides my family, I love dogs, cats, good coffee, and my never-dwindling pile of books I intend to read. Our family ran a small Vermont Inn for 18 years, with our focus on local, organic ingredients. After many years of daily serving up of our local delicacies, cooking classes, and catering, we are now only open for special events, and the odd cooking class as the spirit moves me. We also host musicians and artists, having helped produce a musical festival and other musical events for nearly 20 years. Many incredible artists have found a place at our table. Wonderful experiences, we will treasure always. My family and friends are my practice subjects. With a family that includes nut, peanut, tree fruit, and vegetable allergies, gluten intolerance, dairy intolerance, vegetarians, vegans, heart conscious, and a couple of picky eaters, there has to be a few quick tricks in the book to keep everyone fed and happy! Personally, I do not eat red meat or most dairy (usually) for health reasons, making the occasional exception at Thanksgiving and Christmas or our anniversary if the duck is locally raised. I do eat fish and seafood, so I try to come up with alternatives and substitutions when available. I serve local organic eggs and cheeses to my family who can tolerate dairy (My husband recently had a heart attack, and I need to watch my own cholesterol so I am careful, but have been known to let a little piece of really good cheese accidentally fall on my plate!). I believe strongly that eating in a way that is good for our planet is also good for our bodies! I cook by the seasons and draw on inspiration from the strong and talented women in my family who came before me, as well as the youth in the family who look at the world with fresh eyes. Food links us all, whether sharing a meal, cooking it together, or writing about it for others to enjoy. I love taking an old recipe and giving it a modern spin, especially if I can make it a littler healthier and use foods that are kinder to the Earth and to our bodies. I believe strongly in sustainable, delicious eating of whole foods, and the wonderful flavors we have at our fingertips! And finally, I love conversing with all the talented cooks and chefs out there who dot the globe! It's a wonderful, world full of culinary pen pals, and I cherish them all! XXXOOO Dorothy
    Dorothy’s New Vintage Kitchen says:

    An unusual Valentine’s Day dinner, but it fits the bill. The husband obviously really really wanted stuffed peppers!!!!💝

  7. Awakening Wonders – Everyday life is filled with wondrous things and embraceable moments, but only if we allow ourselves to be fully awakened. I invite you to join me as I share passionate life adventures and ramblings that awaken my spirit. I look forward to awakening your senses to the simple, joyous wonders that are all around us. I feel that we are destined to become soulful adventurers!
    Awakening Wonders says:

    Stuffed peppers – haven’t eaten them in some time, but I like quinoa and brown rice!

  8. I used to often make stuffed capsicums (peppers) the Italian way with rice and anchovies and olives. Delicious! I’m actually making capsicum relish as we ‘speak’ 🙂

  9. Hi Bernadette, what a lovely dish to make for Valentine’s Day. You are very romantic and a great cook.

  10. the Painted Apron – Life is all about creativity for me, as long as I'm creating something I am happy! I hope I will inspire your daily life and give you ideas for your own wonderful creations!
    Jenna says:

    Your stuffed peppers were a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day Bernadette, Dom must have been craving them if he brought them home for you to make for him, and you did because you love him!

  11. This looks SO good and healthy to boot!! I love red peppers. My young teen granddaughter won’t eat green peppers. Or yellow peppers. But she loves red peppers. Go figure!

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