Vege Stuffed Bell Peppers

6 Bell Peppers
2c Instant Rice (Brown, white, dirty - your choice)
12oz can of chicken or vegetable broth or 12oz water
1/4c frozen peas
2/3 of a can of whole kernel corn (or yield from 2 medium ears)
1 3oz can olives, sliced or chopped
15-20 broccoli florets
12-16oz tomato sauce
1/4 small onion
1tbsp minced garlic
2 Pkg of taco seasoning
4tbsp (more or less to taste) red pepper flake or jalapeno powder
1c Part skim or low fat shredded mozzarella cheese (pepper jack cheese is also yummy)
1/2 block of softened 1/3 less fat cream cheese


Preheat oven to 400. Cut tops off of 6 bell peppers & clean ribs & seeds from each. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of water in each pepper. Place on a baking sheet and put in preheated oven for about 20 minutes. This steams the peppers from the inside out and gives them time to soften up.

Cover the 2 cups of rice with broth or water & microwave for 2 minutes or until rice is cooked & fluffy. add peas, corn, olives, & broccoli. Saute onion & garlic until soft & then add to rice mixture. Add taco seasoning & tomato sauce. Add cream cheese and mix well until cream cheese is thoroughly incorporated. Add most of the mozzarella or pepper jack cheese.

Take peppers out of oven and, using a towel or oven mitt, carefully pour out the remaining water, if any, from the peppers. Fill each pepper generously with the rice & cheese mixture. Top each with the reserved mozzarella or jack cheese. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and peppers have softened more.


***A couple of things about this recipe***
The cream cheese incorporates easier if you mix it with the rice right when you take the rice out of the microwave. The warmer the rice, the easier the cheese will mix into it. I did not do this because I fill a couple of the peppers with the vegetable mixture before I add cheese. With the whole weight loss & being in shape thing, I can't eat all that cheese. So, I make some peppers for me without cheese, then add the cheese for my husband's peppers. Trust me, this is just as good without cheese!!!

This is good as a side to chicken or steak or as a main course. I will try to post a picture off this soon.

I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE THIS!