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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Spicy Stuffed Peppers

Snow was falling and chili was on the menu.   Not that it has to snow for us to have it; but it seemed like the thing to do at the time.  You have to have a big pot of something hot on the stove when the weather outside is cold and nasty, right?  

For the past few months, I've been really trying to be careful about what I've been consuming.  I'm trying to be mindful of how much I'm eating and get a handle on my portion sizes.  In order to do that, I've been counting Weight Watchers points.  I find it incredibly hard to count points when I'm cooking big pots of stew, soup or chili.  I'm a "throw a little of this and that in the pot" kind of cook and it's not easy to count points when you do that.

Some beautiful yellow peppers in my fridge were just the ticket for portion control.   While the pot of chili was perfect for the guys, I got creative with something for me. 



Spicy Stuffed Peppers
2 bell peppers in the color of your choice 
4 oz. ground white turkey breast
2 tsp. taco seasoning
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 cup green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup sweet potato, diced and roasted
with cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika and sea salt, to taste
1/2 cup chopped blanched kale
2 Tbsp. Jalapeno Salsa
1/4 cup fire roasted tomatoes
4 Tbsp. Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Jalapeno Cheese
chopped fresh cilantro

Slice peppers in half and scoop out seeds.  Lightly spray the peppers with oil and roast in a 400 degree oven until roasted. Dice sweet potato and spray lightly with oil.  Season with cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika and sea salt to taste.  Roast in the oven with the peppers until tender and browned.

While the peppers are roasting, blanch kale for a couple of minutes in boiling water.  Drain, chop and set aside.  Lightly spray a skillet with oil and saute onion, garlic and bell pepper. Add turkey breast and taco seasoning and cook until turkey is done.  Add Jalapeno Salsa and fire roasted tomatoes. Stir until combined and heated through.  Remove from heat and gently stir in black beans, kale and roasted sweet potatoes.  

Fill bell pepper halves with turkey mixture.  Top each half with 1 Tbsp. cheese.  Bake in a 400 degree oven until mixture is heated through and cheese is melted and browned on top.  Remove from oven and top with chopped fresh cilantro. 

This post reminds me that it's time to make these again....

Have a beautiful day!

22 comments:

  1. That looks delicious and beautiful, Candace, and for portion control, what a brilliant idea! I think I need to jump on that bandwagon.

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  2. That looks beautiful Candace!

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  3. These spicy stuffed peppers look like such a perfectly portioned way of getting to eat your chili and satisfy that craving...but in a controlled kinda way!

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  4. Looks fantastic. Great way to use the peppers for portion control, love it!

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  5. Looks delicious!! You don't still have snow do you?!

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  6. What a great idea...the perfect way to control the portions! It looks amazing!

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  7. Oooh these look soooo good!

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  8. Oh yummy. I just made stuffed peppers this week and now I want to make your version. TODAY =)

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  9. Beautiful! These are going on my to make soon list! I need to get back on track with WW--I switched back to the online program when life got hectic and I'm having trouble keeping myself accountable.

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  10. I love your new pic at the top of your page!! And I love the new profile shot also . . .
    Love ya, g

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  11. Yum, Candace! I adore stuffed peppers - we grew up eating them the Arabic way, and I'd practically beg my mom to make them when it had been a while since the last round.

    Good on you for doing Weight Watchers and being conscious about how you fuel your body. It's a wonderful, empowering life decision you've made. Proud of you!

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  12. Mornin', gorgeous! These peppers are so beautiful! And look at all the extra nutritious goodies you hid in their with all that flavor ... :)

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  13. yum, yum., yum. yum. yum! Need i say more? YUM!

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  14. Oh my! This looks delicious and SPICY! I'll definitely make this soon. And thanks for the Cabot love!

    Wendy/Cabot Cheese

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  15. this looks so SO good. every time I catch up on your posts, I am so very blessed. how's the weight watchers going? I'm so ready to jump back in to exercise. I started physical therapy this week for my back which has been really whacked out since I had #3. hoping to get back on my game as my core strengthens!

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  16. oh my..this dish looks absolutely wonderful. I have got to start using taco seasoning for things other than tacos!!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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  17. This looks so good Candace! The weather here changes his mind every day. One day sun another day rain and so on. These peppers would make my day for sure!

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  18. By the way, my daughter did weight watchers just to get a grip on portion control. It really worked for her! For me, I just need to write down everything I eat. When I do that, I stay on the low side of the scale. When I don't do that, then not so much.

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  19. Girl, I swear...every time I come to your site I get hungry! You always have the most amazing looking and sounding food!!! Big hugs to you...hope you are well my friend...XOXO

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  20. Candace, these look great! I have to try them as my husband is a fan of stuffed peppers but I don't really have a good recipe. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a good day!

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