Barley Stuffed Peppers Recipes

BARLEY-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers; remove seeds. In a large kettle, blanch peppers in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, onion and garlic until onion is tender and sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, barley, thyme, salt and pepper; heat through. Spoon into peppers; place in an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until peppers are tender and filling is hot.

STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on a nonstick baking sheet or regular baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the interiors with salt and pepper and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and roast until the peppers are juicy and somewhat softened and tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the meat in a thin layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the meat browns and is cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl. Stir the onions, garlic, chili powder and cumin into the pot with a sprinkle of salt. Stir to blend, then cook until the flavors meld together, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer gently over medium heat until the tomatoes fall apart and the chili starts to thicken, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the meat back to the pot along with the beans and apple cider vinegar. Remove from the heat.
• Fill each pepper about halfway with the couscous. Divide the chili among all the peppers, layering it on top of the couscous. Top with the cheese and return the baking sheet to the oven. Bake until piping hot and the cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

THE BEST STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• If your peppers don't sit upright on your cutting board, trim about 1/8-inch off the bottoms to even them out so they can stand without falling over. Cut the top off each pepper about 1/2-inch down. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the remaining flesh from the tops. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membranes as you can. Place the peppers in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high power for 12 minutes. Carefully uncover and let them sit until ready to assemble.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the beef in an even layer and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, breaking up any clumps with the back of a spoon and scraping up any browned bits from the pan until the meat is lightly browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and add the reserved chopped peppers, onions, garlic, thyme, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until falling apart and much of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly until brick red colored, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook until the mixture is reduced, very thick and no smell of alcohol remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Transfer to the bowl with the beef. Stir in the rice until completely combined. (The mixture will be wet.) Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Place the peppers cut-side up in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spoon the filling into the peppers, gently pressing it in with the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overstuff and split the sides of the peppers. Bake for 15 minutes. Then top with the cheese and continue baking until the filling is heated through and the cheese is browned in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.

BARLEY-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Slice the mushrooms, grate the parmesan, dice the mozzarella, chop the parsley, halve and seed the bell peppers.
• Cook the barley according to the package instructions. Transfer the barley to a bowl and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and make sure the oven rack is positioned in the center.
• In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and rippling, add half the mushrooms and season with a pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper. Do not touch the pan!
• After 3 to 4 minutes, use tongs to flip one mushroom. If it's not browned to your liking, give them another minute or two. When they're ready, flip all the mushrooms and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked mushrooms to the bowl with the barley and repeat with the remaining mushrooms.
• Add the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and the parsley to the bowl and stir to combine.
• Line the pepper halves cut side up on a baking sheet and season each with a pinch of kosher salt.
• Use a large spoon to divide the barley filling evenly among the pepper halves.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the filling is hot in the center and the peppers are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle the peppers with the bread crumbs and bake for 5 to 10 minutes more, or until the bread crumbs are golden brown.

BARLEY-STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine the broth, mushrooms, and barley.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until barley is tender.
• Drain thoroughly.
• Cut sweet peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membranes.
• If desired, precook pepper halves in boiling water for 3 minutes.
• Drain on paper towels.
• In a medium mixing bowl stir together the egg, 1/2 cup of the cheese, the tomato, zucchini, bread crumbs, basil, rosemary, onion salt, and bottled hot pepper sauce.
• Stir in cooked barley mixture.
• Place peppers, cut side up, in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
• Spoon barley mixture into the pepper halves.
• Bake stuffed peppers, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is heated through.
• Sprinkle remaining cheese over the peppers.
• Return to oven; bake 2 minutes more.
• Carefully transfer peppers to a serving platter.
• If desired, garnish with fresh rosemary and dried red chili peppers.