Sante Fe Stuffed Peppers

AHHH! I may have written this post and realized that I am the hugest, dork. I am not sure how I overlooked this, at first, but THIS IS MY 100TH RECIPE POST!!! I never in a million years would have guessed that I would have had it in me to start a blog and actually keep up with it, especially in graduate school! I am so proud of myself for keeping up with this blog because it has turned into something that I love, adore and am so passionate about. Each week I cannot wait to post the different things I have attempted to make.

This has become an outlet that I can share my thoughts, feelings, inspirations, frustrations, randomness, and especially my trials and errors as I learn to become a baker/chef :) I get to take all the amazing recipes that I see out there, make it and share it! All the while, learning so much and each day getting better! And along the way I have gotten to develop new skills- like photography and blog designing (however basic they may be :)!

This truly is my de-stressor from graduate school and hubby's pretty happy himself ;)  I LOVE being For the Love of Dessert and I LOVE that through it, I have gotten to "meet" so many other people who love food just as much as I do. This little space on the inter-web ;) is my FOODIE soul :) And that is awesome! Here's to another 100 posts and tons more cupcakery reviews ;) YAY!!!

Today I came home to find more presents! I guess, all of my parents' presents they had ordered did not get delivered on time-- which I do not mind at all. Coming home to presents when it is not technically your birthday anymore, is pretty darn nice :) In my package today, I got a Wilton Cake Lifter and 3 piece glass canister set! Mark two more off my wish list. Which I am not sure is a Wish List anymore, so much, as it is a look what I now own list ;) I've been itching to make a cake-- and now I guess I have another reason. And I  am also desperately in need of storage containers for all the baking ingredients I have-- so all in all-- a pretty great gift!

In my attempt to eat healthier-- I made these stuffed peppers for the hubby and I this past weekend. They were not too difficult to make, did not require too many ingredients and tasted really good! Very southwestern and filled with a ton of veggies! I used very little cheese to keep it light.

SANTA FE STUFFED PEPPERS

Adapted slightly from Skinny Taste

INGREDIENTS 

Preheat Oven to 350F Degrees

FOR THE FILLING
1/2 lb. lean ground turkey
1 tbsp. garlic, minced
3 tbsp. chopped onion
2 tbsp. cilantro
3 tbsp. taco seasoning
1/8 c. chopped jalapeno peppers
Salt to taste
1 (15.25 oz) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14 oz) can of tomatoes, drained and rinsed
3/4 c. frozen corn

FOR THE PEPPERS
3 bell peppers, cut in half lengthwise and cleaned*
1/3 c. chicken broth
Shredded cheese for garnish*
Paprika for garnish (optional)

* Choose pepper (red, yellow, or green) and cheese of choice (I think pepper jack would be great). I chose green bell peppers and mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown turkey and season with salt. When turkey is cooked or browned, add onion, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno, black beans  and tomatoes. Mix well, cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Remove lid, and add corn. Simmer an additional 5 minutes or longer-- until excess liquid evaporates. Season turkey mixture with taco seasoning, combining well.

To prepare peppers, cut peppers lengthwise and remove seed and stem (I also always rinse the pepper with water and dry once cut). Place peppers, cut side up in an oven proof dish-- I use glass Pyrex dishes. Pour chicken broth into dish. Fill each pepper (until full) with turkey mixture. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes until peppers become tender.

Take dish out of the oven and remove foil to sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese on top. Once topped with shredded cheese return to oven for an additional 5 minutes of until cheese has melted. My cheese took about 3 minutes. You do not want to keep it in there too long as the cheese will burn. I sprinkled a little paprika on top of my peppers (you could also sprinkle a little Taco Seasoning instead).

Enjoy,
Chika