Feb 26 2009
Stuffed Banana Peppers
Stuffed Banana Peppers Recipe
13 mild or hot banana peppers (sweet peppers, red or green bell peppers can be substituted if preferred)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 sm. onion, minced
1 c. water
1/2 c. uncooked rice
1 med. tomato, peeled, seeded & chopped
2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dried dill weed
1/4 c. tomato puree
Cut 1/2 inch off tops of peppers and set aside. Remove cores and seeds with long thin knife. Rinse peppers in cold water to remove any remaining seeds; pat dry. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup water, rice, tomato, parsley, salt and dillweed.
Cook until liquid evaporates, 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1 pepper in half lengthwise and set aside. Fill remaining peppers loosely with rice mixture; replace tops. Position 2 pepper halves against long side of rectangular baking dish. Prop stuffed peppers against pepper halves, stacking in dish as necessary. Combine remaining 1/2 cup water with tomato puree in small bowl and blend well. Pour over peppers. Cover and bake 45-50 minutes. Serve hot with sauce accumulated in dish or pass separately. Excellent side dish to leg of lamb. Peppers can be filled 1 day ahead and refrigerated, or frozen up to 2 weeks. Defrost in refrigerator before baking.
