Stuffed Peppers With Wheat Berries Recipes

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.

STUFFED PEPPERS WITH WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Combine the brown rice, wheat berries, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 1/4 cups water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the wheat berries are tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Drain. The grains can be cooked in advance and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the peppers in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Cook on high until the peppers begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Leave covered until ready to use. (Alternatively, put the peppers, cut side down, in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour 1/4 cup hot water into the dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake until the peppers just begin to soften, about 20 minutes. Leave covered until ready to use. )
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the jalapeno and onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter and soy sauce. Remove from the heat.
• Combine the cooked grains, tomato-jalapeno mixture, 1/2 cup of the ricotta and season with salt and pepper. Divide the filling among the peppers and dot with the remaining ricotta. Spray a rimmed baking sheet and put the peppers on it. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake until the tops are golden and the peppers are fully cooked, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts and serve.
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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.

STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until evenly browned.
• Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. (Slice the bottoms of the peppers if necessary so that they will stand upright.)
• In a bowl, mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers.
• Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender.