My step-father makes the best stuffed roasted peppers. Really, they truly are the best. I’ve tried to think of a word that perfectly describes them, and the only one that best sums them up is this: bitchin’. Yup, they are that good.

Bitchin’ good.

Here’s what I think is the key (other than all the yummy goodness he puts inside): roasting the peppers. And roasting good quality peppers. Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness and adds a wonderful smokey flavor, otherwise they’d just be plain old good stuffed peppers, right?

Stuffed Roasted Peppers
From “Dr. Bob”

3-4 large peppers
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 small can tomato sauce
½ can tomato paste
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cilantro
3 tomatoes, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded (you may use chili sauce or hot sauce instead)
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup cooked corn
Cheddar cheese

Fire the peppers on the grill or under the broiler until they’re black, then put them in a paper bag for a few minutes. Once cooled a bit, remove the peels (they should just slide off). For longer peppers (e.g. pasilla) make a slit down the center to remove the seeds. Keep the cap on for presentation. If your peppers are the regular bell pepper size then remove the cap to stuff from the top. Then, without cutting through the pepper, slice a bit off the bottom so the pepper will stand upright.

Sauté the chopped onion. In a large saucepan brown the ground beef, then add the onions. Add 1 small can tomato sauce and 1/2 can tomato paste. Mix in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and jalapeno pepper. Add the cooked rice and corn, then mix well.

Stuff peppers and cover with grated Cheddar cheese.

Bake at 325 degrees for 30 mins.  Serve with refried bean

Note: for a vegetarian version use tofu or soy meats.

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