Cajun stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 10 minutes / Cooking time: 1 hour & 10 minutes
Serves 4.
This recipe is vegetarian
Approximate full recipe cost £9.90
INGREDIENTS:
4 red bell peppers
1 + 2tbsps oil
1 white onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 tomatoes, roughly chopped
½ tsp Cajun seasoning
100g Arborio style rice
400ml vegetable stock
350g tinned mixed bean salad, drained
125g of grated cheese
METHOD:
1. Roast the peppers: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Cut your peppers in half lengthways (keeping the stem). Then using a small sharp knife remove all the white bits in the inside & the seeds. Put the halved peppers in a large oven tray and add 1 tbsp of oil. Using your hands rub the oil over the peppers, then arrange them cut side up on the tray. Put them in the oven and bake for 14 minutes. After that time set aside.
2. Meanwhile you can start on the peppers filling. In a large saucepan over medium heat add 2tbsps. of oil. When the oil is hot add the finely chopped onion and cook until starts to soften (4-5 minutes). Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Now add the roughly chopped tomatoes & Cajun seasoning, give it a good stir and continue cooking for another 3- 4 minutes.
4. Add the rice, mix well and start adding the vegetable stock, a little bit at a time, until it has all been absorbed. This will take a while, up to 20 minutes.
5. When the rice is cooked you can then add the drained mixed beans & ¾ of the grated cheese. Mix well until well combined. Check for seasoning, you may need to add more Cajun seasoning.
6. Now pour off any excess juice from inside the peppers. Then stuff the peppers generously with the rice & bean mix. Put them back in the large greased tray and sprinkle the rest of the grated cheese on top of the stuffed peppers.
7. Bake in the oven at 200°C for around 25 minutes, until all the cheese is melted and golden and the peppers are cooked through.
8. Remove from the oven & serve.
TIPS:
They would be lovely served with a side salad.
You can use whatever colour pepper you have available, or just use a variety. Just remember that the green ones although lovely are a bit bitter and not to everyone’s liking.
You can use whatever spices you have available in your cupboard if you do not have/like Cajun spice. Cumin, paprika or chilli powder would be lovely too.
You can use a different type of rice like long grain if you do not have Arborio style rice. You just may need to use more stock.
You can add extra veggies to the filling like sweetcorn, chopped peppers, courgettes & mushrooms.
You can make this recipe vegan by omitting the cheese altogether or by using vegan cheese.
The filling of the peppers is so yummy that it can be served on its own.
This dish would be lovely by adding some minced beef or chicken to the peppers filling. Add the mince with the onion at step 2, you may need to use less mixed beans in that case.
