Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup (150g) cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 8 long hot peppers
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
  • Optional: freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Rinse and dry the long hot peppers, then make a slit along the side of each pepper and remove the seeds, if desired.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened (2-3 minutes).
  4. Add ground meat, cumin, and smoked paprika, breaking apart and cooking until browned (5-7 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture with rice.
  6. Using a spoon, fill each prepared pepper with the stuffing, pressing gently to pack them.
  7. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of the stuffed peppers.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. Let cool slightly, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.