Couscous And Feta Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipes

HEALTHY VEGETABLE AND COUSCOUS STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut off the very tops of the peppers. Remove and discard the ribs and seeds and set the peppers aside.
• Drain the tomatoes in a colander set over a medium bowl. Reserve the juice and set the tomatoes aside over a plate to catch any residual juices. Stir the couscous, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper into the tomato juice and set aside while preparing the filling.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, zucchini, half the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high, stir in the couscous mixture and simmer rapidly, stirring frequently, until the couscous is just al dente and the liquid is beginning to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook, adjusting the heat if necessary, until the leaves are bright green and just beginning to wilt, about 30 seconds. Set the filling aside to cool slightly.
• To make the sauce, combine the remaining garlic and olive oil in a Dutch oven, add the chile flakes if using and stir to combine. Place the pot over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally at first then more frequently as the oil starts to sizzle to prevent the garlic from burning, until the garlic starts to stick to the edge of the spoon and is just beginning to turn a very pale straw color, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the reserved drained tomatoes plus any accumulated juices, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture just begins to come together and thicken, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Fold the feta and basil into the couscous filling. Fill a pepper with about 3/4 cup of the filling, scooping it in loosely and shaking the pepper to level the filling rather than packing it down. Nestle the filled pepper in the sauce in the pot, then repeat with the remaining peppers, propping them up against each other and the sides of the pot for stability during baking.
• Cover the pot and bake until the peppers are tender but not mushy and the sauce is bubbling, 45 to 60 minutes. Check after 45 minutes to see if the peppers are tender but not soft or they will be overcooked and mushy. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature with a generous scoop of the tomato sauce.

COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS WITH BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Filling: In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and cumin to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan until the couscous is tender and all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 to 6 minutes. Put the couscous in a large bowl and add the beans, currants, spinach, feta and 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir until all the ingredients are combined.
• Slice the tops off the peppers and remove all the ribs and seeds. If necessary, cut a very thin slice from the base to help the peppers stand up. Stuff the peppers with the filling and drizzle the tops with olive oil. Put the peppers in an 8 by 8-inch square baking dish. Fill the baking dish with 3/4-inch hot water and bake until the filling is golden and the peppers are cooked through, about 55 to 60 minutes. Cooks
• Sauce: In a blender, combine the basil, creme fraiche, olive oil, water, garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Remove the peppers from the oven and arrange on serving plates. Spoon the sauce around the peppers and serve.

COUSCOUS AND FETA STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cut the stems out of the bell peppers and cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out all the seeds and membranes. Boil the prepared peppers for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove them from water and let them drain cut side down.
• Bring the broth to boil in a saucepan and add the couscous. Cover the pan and remove it from the heat.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Cook the onion, zucchini, yellow squash, fennel seeds, oregano, and salt for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables start to soften.
• Remove skillet from heat and add the tomatoes and chickpeas. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the skillet, mixing it with the vegetables. Stir in the crumbled feta.
• Arrange the peppers in the baking dish cut sides up (like little boats)and fill them with the couscous/vegetable mixture. (The filling will be heaping unless your peppers are very large.).
• Bake 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS WITH COUSCOUS AND FETA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F / 200°C.
• Cut the stems and tops off the bell peppers. Scoop out and discard the seeds and membranes. Arrange the bell peppers upright in a baking dish and sprinkle with some salt.
• Bake peppers until they are starting to turn tender, 15 minutes. (The edges should start to brown slightly and tilt inward.)
• While peppers start roasting, combine couscous, lentils, harissa, paprika, tomato, and garlic. Stir well. Gently fold in feta.
• Taste filling and season it with some salt and / or pepper, if needed.
• Fill peppers with couscous-lentil mixture.
• Return filled peppers to oven and continue baking until filling is heated and peppers are soft, 15 to 25 minutes more (this will vary depending on the thickness of the bell peppers).
• Squeeze lemon juice over finished peppers and top with fresh parsley.
• Serve stuffed peppers warm with yogurt for topping.

COUSCOUS AND FETA STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. Bring the broth to a boil in a saucepan, add the couscous, cover the pan and remove it from the heat. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cut the stems and top half inch off the bell peppers and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Boil trimmed peppers for 5 minutes, then drain them upside down. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet. Add onion, zucchini, yellow squash, fennel seeds, oregano, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Remove from heat and stir in the tomatoes and chickpeas. Using a fork, scrape the couscous into the skillet and toss with the vegetables. Stir in the crumbled feta. Place peppers upright in the baking dish and fill them with couscous. Bake 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

SPRING COUSCOUS STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Put peppers, cut side down, on the surface. Drizzle with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 4-6 minutes.
• In a large skillet heat the other tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and sauté for a few minutes. Then add beef and garlic salt and pepper. Cook beef and crumble. Drain well. Let cool a few minutes.
• Add mint, oregano, both diced tomatoes, couscous and half of the feta cheese. Gently toss together.
• In a baking dish, place peppers cut side up this time and fill with meat and cheese mixture. Top with remaining one cup of feta. Bake at 375 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Garnish with fresh mint or basil.