Feta and Rice Stuffed Peppers

I've had stuffed bell peppers before but not without meat.  So, I thought I'd try a different version of a stuffed pepper.  I'm glad I did.  Sooo good! I love that this is so versatile and can easily be added to or changed up.

Note: I used diced tomatoes and green chili's which made it spicy (I knew it was going to be spicy but it would be a nice surprise if you didn't know it was going to be spicy, its not something that looks like it would be spicy...make sense? lol)  If you do not want spicy, use regular diced tomatoes instead. 

Ingredients: 1 packet of boil-in-a-bag rice, enough water to boil the rice in, 2 bell peppers, seeded, 1/4 cup chopped onion OR 2 green onions chopped, 1/2 cup black beans, drained, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, drained,  1 teaspoon italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 cube of garlic OR 1 clove, minced, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pinch of black pepper, 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Boil the rice in the water.  Considering it was 10 min rice, it only took 10 minutes to boil. :)

While the rice is boiling -- Cover a baking sheet, (or in my case, a cake pan..ha) with foil, makes for easy clean up.  Put the bell pepper sliced side down on the sheet (pan).  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until they turn slightly brown. 

When the rice gets done drain the water and set aside.

While the peppers are roasting -- In a skillet, swirl the pan with a few turns of olive oil, heat.  Add the onions, basil, italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  Cook for a few minutes.  Then add the diced tomatoes and the black beans.  Add the rice to the skillet and move heat to low.  Keep warm.

When the peppers are done roasting they should look something like this.

Carefully flip the peppers over and fill with the rice mixture.  You can mix the feta  in with the rice mixture just before filling the peppers or just sprinkle it on top.  I sprinkled it on top but I think next time I will mix it in. 

Put back in the oven for about another 5 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese. 

Plate and eat!

Annnd for dessert....

I didn't feel quite so bad about eating it after I read this.....oooook you talked me into it....ha :)

View a written version of the recipe here.