Stuffed Peppers

This is adapted from several different recipes I found...I don't know why I always found Stuffed Peppers so daunting. They are actually really easy and I found that you could really make the "insides" ahead of time and just make as many peppers as you want right now and then freeze the "insides" until you buy peppers next and then its an even quicker dinner fix.

6 red or green peppers (I prefer red)

"Insides"
1 lb ground sirloin
1 clove garlic minced
1 medium onion
3/4 cup uncooked rice
28 oz diced tomatoes
1/2 of a medium zucchini, chopped
I used 1 tab italian seasoning

"Topping"
Cheddar Cheese

Bring a pot of water to boil, once boiling place 6 whole peppers in pot - whole for 3 minutes, than rotate for 3 minutes more. Once the peppers are done, take out and let cool while browning meat. Cut the tops off the peppers and dice for the filling. You can leave the rest whole or slice in 2 and fill the halves with the filling below.

Brown the meat on medium heat. Once meat is browned, add the garlic & onion. After 2 minutes, add the zucchini, diced peppers, diced tomatoes, and seasoning. Bring to a simmer and add rice. Let simmer for 10 minutes, scoop into the peppers and top with cheddar cheese. If you are impatient - eat now, if not put in the oven on broil just for a minute or 2 - keep your eye on them, they'll burn quickly! Once the tops are browning...yum. take out and eat!

I used italian seasoning which tasted good; you could do 2 tsp basil instead and it would taste good too.

If you are making the insides for later - just dice the tops of the peppers you are making now or dice a half of a pepper and throw it in and don't worry about dicing the tops (or dice & freeze for another recipe). You can complete the entire recipe & freeze but I find it takes longer to defrost (all day). This way you can just save the stuffing in a few bags that are a serving worth, take out and defrost what you need which is quicker and tastes fresher (microwave for 2.5 minutes and then put in the pepper, cover w/cheese & broil).

Enjoy!