Vegetables: August 2005 Archives

4 fresh bell peppers
1 lbs ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove crushed garlic
1 1/2 cup long grain rice
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 8oz can tomato sauce

Cut the tops from the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Rinse. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Drop in the peppers and cook for 5 minutes. Remove and drain well.

Brown the beef, onion and garlic. Drain.

Cook the rice half of the recommended cooking time in boiling salted water.

Drain the diced tomatoes making sure you reserve the juice.

In a large dish mix the beef, rice, tomatoes and italian seasoning until well combined. Stuff into the bell peppers.

Mix the tomato sauce, the juice from the diced tomatoes and another 1 tsp italian seasoning.

Place 2 peppers in a freezer bad. Place half the sauce mix into a quart freezer bag. Place both bags into a 2 gallon size freezer bag. Lable and date the bag. Place in the freezer.

When ready to cook thaw in the refrigerator. Place the 2 peppers in a baking dish and pour the sauce over the top. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

You can also top the peppers with grated cheese near the end of the cooking time.