Some Comfort Food!

There are just times where you crave something meaty and downright comforting.  Whether it was a long day at work, rainy weekend or just need a good pick me up, comfort food does something good for you well being and maybe even to your soul. 

This recipe is only takes 20 minutes to prepare, but takes an hour and a half to cook.  So, it may not be the best to cook on a week night unless you have someone to pop it in the oven for you!

From Comfort Food

Stuffed Peppers with Tomato Sauce

4 red peppers
1 T oil
1 leek, thinly sliced (or onion)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
14oz ground beef
2 15.5oz cans of crushed or diced tomatoes
1 C beef stock
1/4 brown rice
1 potato cut into small pieces
2 T tomato paste
1/4 C chopped parsley
1/4 C chopped basil
1/4 C red wine
1/2 t sugar
1 bay leaf
1/2 C fresh breadcrumbs
1 T butter, melted
2 t finely chopped parsley

1. Sliced off the tops of the red peppers and remove all seed and membranes.  Save the lids to the peppers. Cut a thin slice off the bottom so the base sits flat.
2. Heat oil in pan, add leek and garlic and stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes until leek is just soft.  Add the beef and cook until browned all over.
3. Add one can of tomatoes, the stock, rice, potato and half the tomato paste.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and the mixture is thick.  Stir in herbs and season.
4. Preheat oven to 350.  Spoon the mixture into the red peppers and put them in a shallow ovenproof dish.  Heat the remaining can of tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, sugar and bay leaf in a small pan, season to taste and then spoon around the red peppers.
5. Sprinkle the red pepper with bread crumbs, butter and parsley.  Put the lids of the red peppers in the baking dish.  Bake for 30 minutes or until crisp on top.  Put the lids on the peppers and serve.

If you don't use all the filling, it freezes really well.  I used it to make omelets on Sunday morning.

Family Factor: well liked...definitely comfort food!
Stomach Factor: can be a little sensitive with all the tomatoes!
Time Factor: you can make head and then cook to make on a weeknight.