Ingredients:
Peppers:
- 4 large bell peppers (green, red, yellow, or a mix)
- Filling: 500g (about 1 lb) lean ground turkey or chicken
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (~150g or 1 cup)
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped (~100g or 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 2 tomatoes, diced (~300g or 1.5 cups)
- 150g (about 2/3 cup) cooked brown rice.
- 1 tsp Creole seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Topping (optional):
- 50g (about 1/2 cup) shredded low-fat cheese, like mozzarella or cheddar
Preparation:
- Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Wash the bell peppers, then cut off the tops and remove the seeds and membranes. If the peppers don’t stand upright, trim a tiny slice from the bottom. Set aside.
- Cook the Filling: In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and celery, sautéing until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Add the ground turkey or chicken to the pan. Break up the meat and cook until browned. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked brown rice, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, ensuring all the ingredients are well-combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the filling into each of the prepared bell peppers, pressing down gently to make sure they’re filled to the top. If using cheese, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the filling in each pepper.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish with a little water at the bottom (about 1 cm or 1/4 inch deep) to prevent sticking and to steam the peppers a bit. Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese (if using) is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Allow the peppers to cool slightly before serving. You can accompany the stuffed peppers with a green salad or Creole okra and tomatoes for a complete Creole meal.
Enjoy your healthy and flavourful Creole Stuffed Bell Peppers!