Stuffed Pepper Stoup

The flavor of stuffed peppers -- without the work!

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
Salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice (eyeball it)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 bay leaf
1 quart chicken stock
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 cup orzo pasta
12-15 basil leaves, shredded or torn
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table

Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat with EVOO. When oil is hot, add beef and season with salt, black pepper and allspice. Brown the meat, about 5 minutes, then add garlic, onions, peppers and bay leaf, and cook 7-8 minutes, until veggies are tender.
Stir in stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil.
Add pasta and cook to al dente, 7-8 minutes.
Turn off heat and fold in the basil.
Serve in shallow bowls with grated cheese on top.

From the Rachael Ray Show

Tater-topped Casserole

I got this recipe out of a Kraft foods magazine. It isn't really anything special, but I like it because everyone in the family will eat it.

tater-topped casserole
6 servings

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup milk
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb (1/2 of 32-oz pkg) frozen bite-size seasoned potato nuggets

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Brown meat with onions in skillet, stirring occasionally, drain. Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish.
Mix soup and milk; pour over meat mixture. Top with layers of mixed vegetables, cheese and potatoes.
Bake 45 min. or until potatoes are golden brown and caserole is heated through.


This picture was taken before baking while potatoes are still frozen. I forgot to take a picture after baking and before eating. :o)

Messy Giuseppes

I got this recipe off the Rachael Ray Show a couple years ago and it is by far one of my favorites and I have made it several times. Regular old sloppy joes will never be the same after you have tried this recipe. So yummy!

Messy Giuseppes
Sloppy Joe's Italian Cousin!

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 pound ground, 90 percent lean sirloin
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
5 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium portobello mushroom cap, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon (eyeball it) allspice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Coarse salt and black pepper
1/2 cup (a couple of glugs) red wine
3/4 cup beef stock
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup (a generous handful) flat-leaf parsley, chopped
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
5-8 fresh basil leaves, about 1/4 cup, chopped
1/4 cup (a small handful) grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Romano cheese
4 individual ciabatta rolls or any kind of crusty hoagie rolls
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation
Preheat the broiler to high.
For the meat sauce, heat a deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of EVOO, twice around the pan. Add the ground beef and cook until lightly browned, breaking up the meat with the back of a wooden spoon. Add green pepper, onion, 3/4 of the garlic, mushrooms, allspice, red pepper flakes and a little salt and pepper to the beef and cook for about 5-8 minutes.

Add the wine and cook another minute then add the beef stock, Worcestershie and tomatoes. Bring the mixture up to a bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 10 minutes. Finish it by stirring in a handful of chopped parsley.

While the meat is simmering, combine the remaining garlic with the soft butter, basil, parmesan cheese and a little salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Split the rolls in half lengthwise without cutting all the way through and separating the halves. Press open the rolls by flattening them out a little bit. Slather the insides with the butter and place 2 slices of the mozzarella on each roll. Toast until golden brown under the broiler, about 2-3 minutes.

Top one side of the cheesy garlic rolls with a heap of meat and get prepared to get sloppy with Messy Giuseppe!