low carb mexican stuffed peppers
Did I tell you that I am going to Mexico next month? The whole fam dam is jetting off for a week and I am trying to not get too excited too soon. I may or may not have been spending many minutes hours on Zappos mooning over breezy white cover ups and braided teal leather flip-flops. I may or may not have received these items on my doorstep yesterday afternoon and stripped down in the kitchen to try them on as soon as they came.
When the boxes arrived, the girls were almost as excited as me. They helped me unload the new suitcase which came in a comically huge box. The girls quickly forgot all about the stuff I was un-packing (and barely noticed that I was in the kitchen in a state of undress) and proceeded to turn the box into a giggle fest filled game of hilarity. I am not sure what the premise was


Ingredients
  • 3 large bell peppers, cut in half lengthwise and cored
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil or avocado oil
  • 1 pound grass fed beef
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 cup chopped white or crimini mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground chipotle chili
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup canned tomato puree
  • 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • chopped fresh cilantro leaves for garnish, optional
Instructions
  1. Place the peppers, cut side down in a microwave safe baking dish. Add 1 cup water to the baking dish. Cover with a layer of parchment or wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high until the peppers are just starting to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove cover, drain off water and turn the peppers cut-side up in the baking dish.
  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon until the meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until the mixture is browning along the edge of the pan and the vegetables are softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in cumin, chili powder, chipotle, salt and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in tomato puree.
  3. Fill the peppers with the meat mixture (about ½ cup per pepper half). Top with cheese, dividing evenly. Microwave the peppers in the baking dish, uncovered until the cheese is melted and the peppers are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm with cilantro on top if desired.
Recipe Adapted From healthyseasonalrecipes.com