This is a meal (can’t really call it a recipe as such) that rarely ever makes it onto my menu plan.  I make it when I happen to find suitable red capsicums (peppers) at a reasonable price – generally $2.99/kg or less.

There is no right or wrong way to make these.  This is simply how I do it.

Allow 1 medium red capsicum (pepper) per person.  Cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and stalk.

Place halves skin side up in an ovenproof glass dish.  Cook in the microwave for 5 minutes.  Then transfer to the oven (180C) for about half an hour or until skin is starting to loosen and char.

Remove and invert the halves and stuff.

For the stuffing I use pre-cooked short grain rice.  Heat the rice in the microwave – this makes it easier to mix in the other ingredients.  I add grated tasty cheese, dried onion powder or veg stock powder, black pepper and one or two things from the following list – diced ham, bacon or salami, chopped baby spinach, chopped parsley, Tabasco, chopped mushrooms.  The stuffing is really limited only by your imagination.

When the stuffing ingredients are combined use it to fill the capsicum (pepper) shells.  Return to the oven or grill to heat through.  Top with some grated cheese for the last 5 minutes.

You can include breadcrumbs with the cheese.  In the illustration (last night’s dinner), I sliced avocado on top then added the cheese.

Serve with a side salad.

This is a relatively quick and easy main meal which can easily be gluten free and/or vegetarian.