Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

Growing up one of my father's favorite meals that my mother would cook was stuffed peppers. Back then that meant being stuffed with some form of animal meat, probably hamburger, and using green bell peppers, because they were cheaper. I remember being grossed out by the pepper. Not so much the meat, but certainly the pepper. Mom would always make something different for my brother and I, usually something with meatballs and I guess that makes sense really. As I have journeyed into eating more vegan meals I am always looking for something that reminds me of my childhood, call it "Comfort Food" if you will, that I can make a vegan version of. This recipe is certainly different than my mother's, but when I make it, it reminds me of her...

Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

Yield: Enough stuffing for 7 large peppers

Recipe From: Ken

What you will need:

• 1 cup of cooked long grain white rice

• 1 cup of textured vegetable protein, rehydrated

• 1 cup of black beans

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 cup of corn

• 1/2 cup of chunky salsa

• 1 packet of Mrs. Dash salt free taco seasoning

• 2 fresh jalapenos, diced (*more for a garnish if you like)

• Bell Peppers, color of your choice (*I like Red and Orange for this)

• Fresh cilantro, chopped

How to Make The Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers:

1. Preheat your oven to 375*F

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, except the cilantro and bell peppers and mix well. This will give you enough mixture to stuff about 7 large bell peppers.

3. Take your bell pepper, cut it in 1/2 and remove the stem and seeds.

4. Stuff the peppers with as much of the mixture as will fit in it.

5. Place the peppers in a casserole dish and put enough water in it to cover the bottom of the dish and cover with foil.

6. When the oven is up to temperature, place the dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

7. After the 25 minutes are done, remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes at 400*F.

Optional: I like to serve these with a couple slices of fresh jalapeno and some chopped fresh cilantro sprinkled on top. A few slices of avocado go really well with this as well. Optional: A drizzle of Spicy Nacho Cheese Sauce on this would be awesome!