Stuffed Bell Peppers with Moroccan Rice Pilaf

Rice Pilaf Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a whole meal in a neat package. The traditional American stuffing is a mixture of sauteed ground beef and vegetables. Inexpensive and filling, they are perfect for nights when you need to save a little money. Sometimes I like to make these vegetarian with a rice or grain filling which is even less expensive. This could be boring, but not if you use this Moroccan spice blend!

Morocco is located on the Northwestern area of the African continent and the first inhabitants were nomadic people called Berbers. Moroccan cuisine is extremely diverse due to interactions with other cultures and conquering nations over many centuries. But the most influential invaders were the Arabs in the seventh century A.D.

The Arabs introduced spices such as cinnamon, cumin, saffron, ginger, and turmeric to Morocco. With the rise of the Roman Empire, these spices were introduced to Europe and worked their way through the countryside, migrating all the way up to England and beyond. And of course, we got them from England. There has been a resurgence in the popularity of African cuisines recently, and I am fully on that bandwagon!

Bell peppers come in an array of colors: yellow, orange, red, and less commonly, purple or white. Green bell peppers, which are much harsher flavored than the others, are actually still unripe! While part of the capsicum family, it is the only pepper that doesn’t produce capsaicin, the source of heat. Red bell peppers have twice the Vitamin C and 9-times the antioxidant carotene as a green bell pepper. Sweeter and healthier for us, you don’t have to tell me twice to buy red ones!

Basket of Beautiful Bell Peppers

Jane’s Tips and Hints:

If you prefer, you can also use a mild chile pepper for stuffing as well. Anaheim or Poblano chiles are both good choices. Because these are long peppers, halve lengthwise, remove stems, seeds, and membranes. Stuff with rice pilaf, sprinkled with cheese if desired, lay flat in baking dish, and bake as directed below. There is no need to pre-bake these because they are much thinner than bell peppers.

Kitchen Skill: Parboiling

Why: To partially cook ingredients so that later cooking requires less time.

How: Bring lightly salted water to a boil. Carefully drop vegetables into water and cook between a few seconds (for delicate or small pieces) to several minutes for denser products. These can then be eaten as is or used later in other preparations. Most frozen foods have been parboiled prior to freezing, holding their bright colors and allowing for very quick cooking.

Stuffed Peppers with Moroccan Rice Pilaf

2015-07-24 15:38:42

Yields 4

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Ingredients

1. Rice Pilaf (can also be served as a standalone side dish)
2. 4-1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock (for vegetarian)
3. 2 tbsp butter
4. 2 tbsp olive oil
5. 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
6. 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
7. 1/2 tsp ginger
8. 1/4 tsp cardamom
9. 1/2 tsp turmeric
10. 1 large onion, chopped
11. 2 cloves garlic, minced
12. 1 red bell pepper or mild chile pepper, finely chopped
13. 1 carrot, finely chopped
14. 1/4 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
15. 2 cups long grain rice
16. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
17. A large pinch of saffron threads, crushed
18. 1/4 cup frozen or par-boiled fresh peas
19. Stuffed Peppers
20. 4 large, square-ish, red or orange bell peppers
21. Boiling water
22. Shredded Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

1. To make Rice PIlaf: In a saucepan, heat the stock almost to boiling. Keep hot over low heat while vegetables and rice are cooking.
2. Meanwhile, in a very large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add seasonings, onions, garlic, chopped peppers, carrots, and corn. Cook, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook until it begins to color, about 8 minutes, stirring often.
3. Stir in the cilantro, cinnamon stick, saffron, and peas. Pour in the hot stock and stir only once. Taste and add more salt if needed. Cover with a tight fitting lid, reduce the heat to low and simmer undisturbed for about 25 minutes (or according to package directions), or until liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
4. Remove from the heat and leave untouched for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove cover, fluff the rice with a fork and serve. If using as a stuffing, set aside to cool slightly.
5. To prepare Peppers: Cut about 1/3 off top of peppers, discard seeds, and reserve top. Remove seeds and white membranes from bottom portions of peppers. Stand peppers upright and trim bottoms slightly as needed so they sit fairly level.
6. In a large Dutch oven, bring 2 cups salted water to a boil. Set peppers in water and cook covered for 4 to 5 minutes to soften slightly. Using tongs, carefully remove peppers and set aside to cool.
7. When cool enough to handle, fill with rice pilaf, mounding top slightly. Place in a 9-inch-square baking pan. May be made up to 1 day ahead to this point. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Store pepper tops separately. Return to room temperature before continuing.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle stuffed peppers with cheese if desired. Add a little water to the baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or until hot all the way through and peppers are tender. Serve with tops set on an angle on top of stuffing.

By © 2000 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook. All rights reserved.

The Heritage Cook ® https://theheritagecook.com/

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