Stuffed Peppers

Ok, back to food. Besides, everyone likes food, right?

Not sure where this meal originated from, but my mother (german-english) and also my mother-in-law (irish-polish) have been making it for years. And of course, since women don't cook anymore, I will gladly continue this culinary tradition.

INGREDIENTS:

* 6 green\red\yellow bell peppers
* 1 tablespoons butter
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
* 2 cans (16 ounces) of tomato sauce
* 1 clove garlic, crushed
* 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
* 2 teaspoons salt, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or chuck
* 1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice

PREPARATION:
Cut tops off peppers; remove seeds. Chop edible part of tops and set aside.
Boil peppers in a large pot for 5 minutes. Drain peppers and set aside.

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Sauté chopped green pepper (from tops), chopped onion, and for about 7 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine egg with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato mixture. Mix well. Stuff peppers with meat mixture and place in a 3-quart baking dish. Pour remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers. Bake at 350° for 60 minutes.

Also, make another 2-3 cups of rice to serve with meal.

Wine Pairing: Merlot

Enjoy!