Mexican Style Stuffed Bell Peppers

With swimsuit season just around the corner and spring break just a few weeks away, many of us out there are looking to cut back on calories.  By no means am I suggesting that these stuffed bell peppers are 100% healthy, but I will say that they are a great alternative to traditional tacos with the fried shell.  (Let's be honest, I'm still eating tacos...) These Bell Peppers, however do have the traditional taste of Mexican food, and they are also a favorite among my dinner delivery customers.

Ingredients:
1 lb of ground turkey
1 small yellow onion diced
4 bell peppers (I like using red, yellow & green.)
1 pkg of your favorite taco seasoning
2 tbs of parmesan cheese
handful of roughly chopped cilantro (save a little for garnish)
red rice (either from your favorite Mexican take out place or from my recipe below)

Directions:

• Brown your turkey over med-high heat in a non-stick skillet lightly sprayed with canola oil.  Once turkey is browned, add the taco seasoning and onions and cook until unions are soft, about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

• If necessary, drain turkey and then add to a large mixing bowl. Add two cups of cooked red rice, cilantro & parmesan cheese.  Mix well.

• Rinse peppers and slice them in half length wise.  Clean out the seeds and ribs.

• Lightly spray a baking dish with canola oil.

• Spoon the stuffing mixture into the bell peppers and place in the baking dish.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I hope you give them a try and let me know if you like them as much as I do!!

Red Rice Ingredients (cooked in rice cooker)
6 oz can of tomato paste
2 cups white rice
3 cups chicken broth
2 cloves of minced garlic
1/2 an onion finely diced
1/2 tsp of paprika

Put all the ingredients in the cooker and turn it on.  When it beeps, fluff the rice and you're ready to serve or use in the stuffed bell peppers.