Peppers Olé Recipes

Steps:

• Place the peppers directly onto the burners of a gas stove. Cook the peppers, turning frequently, until they are charred on all sides. Put the peppers into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let them steam for about 15 minutes. (If you do not have a gas stove preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Coat the peppers with some olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Cook the peppers until they are soft and have collapsed, about 1 hour. Set the peppers aside until they are cool enough to handle.)
• Peel, stem, and seed the peppers; cut them into wide strips. Place the warm pepper strips into a shallow serving dish. Top with the oregano, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. Season them with salt and pepper and mix them gently to combine the flavors. Let them sit to cool and serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• Start by cutting the peppers into 1 inch strips and pat them dry with a towel. Place the pepper strips in a colander, sprinkle them with coarse salt, and place the colander over a bowl. Allow the peppers to drain overnight.
• Using a towel, wipe the salt from the peppers, and set aside.
• Sterilize four 8 oz. jars and their lids by boiling them in a large pot of water for about 15 minutes. Using tongs, remove the jars and lids from the water, and set them on a dry surface.
• In each jar, place 3 peppercorns, 2 cloves garlic, 1 sprig of basil, and 1 sprig of oregano or marjoram. Evenly divide the pepper strips among the jars and completely cover with olive oil. Wipe clean the rims of the jars and seal with their lids. Label and date the jars.
• Keep in a cool place or in the refrigerator for several months.
• Serve as part of an antipasto platter, add to salads or sandwiches, and the oil can also be used to flavor dressings or drizzle on bread.

Steps:

• Chop enough reserved green pepper tops to equal 1/4 cup; discard remaining tops or use for another purpose. Set chopped pepper aside.
• Place hollowed-out green peppers in a microwave-safe dish; cover and cook in microwave until bright green and steaming, about 3 minutes. Set peppers aside.
• Cook and stir ground beef in a skillet with reserved chopped pepper tops and onion over medium heat until beef is browned, the juices run clear, and the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes; drain excess grease. Pour in diced tomatoes with their juice, rice, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and simmer until rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir cheese into ground beef-rice mixture and spoon mixture into precooked peppers. Set peppers upright in an 8x8-inch baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and the peppers are tender, about 30 minutes.

Steps:

• MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Place peppers and water in ungreased 13 x 9-inch (3-quart) microwave-safe dish or divide peppers and water between two 8-inch (1 1/2-quart) microwave-safe dishes. Cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Drain.In medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Spoon heaping 1/2 cup of filling into each pepper half. Cover microwave 13 x 9-inch dish on HIGH for 15 to 16 minutes or until peppers are tender. (Microwave each 8-inch dish for 6 to 8 minutes.) Top each pepper with 1 tablespoon of salsa, a tortilla chip and cilantro.CONVENTIONAL DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Spoon heaping 1/2 cup of filling into each pepper half. Place filled peppers in ungreased 13 x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish or pan. Omit water. Cover with foil bake at 350°F. for 50 to 60 minutes or until peppers are tender. Garnish as directed above. Nutrition Per Serving: Calories 270 Protein 109 Carbohydrate 37g Fat 109 Sodium 570mgPICTURE: Top to bottom: Mexican Fiesta Biscuit Bake (Side Dishes and Salads), Peppers OléFrom "Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off® Cookbook." Copyright 2004 General Mills. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.