Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Yet another stuffed pepper recipe, but this one has a Mexican flair to it.  If you’re not familiar with them, Guajillo chiles (pronounced gwa-hee-yo) are dried and usually sold in bags or on a string in most grocery stores.  They look like this when dried:

Guajillo Chiles

The Guajillo, though not really hot, adds a very nice flavor to Mexican food.  Since discovering Guajillos, I put them in most all of my Mexican dishes.  Love that taste!  Though tough and leathery when you buy them, they will soften as they absorb moisture from a recipe.  Some people re-hydrate them in a dish of hot water for 15 minutes before using, but I find that unnecessary.  These stuffed peppers are chock full of nutrients! If you use ½ unsweetened Muffin-in-a-minute for the low-carb biscuit, these would be acceptable for Induction even.

More delicious low-carb recipes can be at your fingertips with your very own set of Jennifer Eloff and friends’ best-selling cookbooks LOW CARBING AMONG FRIENDS. She has collaborated with famous low-carb Chef George Stella and other wonderful cooks to bring you a wealth of recipes you will love! Some of my low-carb creations appear in each of the 5 volumes! Order yours TODAY! from Amazon or our direct order site: http://amongfriends.us/order.php

DISCLAIMER: By personal choice, I do not accept payment for this book promotion nor for the inclusion of my recipes therein. I do so merely because they are GREAT cookbooks any low-carb cook would be proud to add to their cookbook collection.

INGREDIENTS:

2 large red bell peppers (or green is fine)

12 oz. ground beef

Pinch each onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder

Pinch salt and black pepper

6 oz. zucchini grated

½ c. green onion, chopped

1 leftover low-carb biscuit or slice of bread (I used one of these:  http://genaw.com/lowcarb/cq_cheddar_bay_biscuits.html

8 oz. Monterrey Jack Cheese (or mixture of jack and cheddar if you prefer)

1/2-1 whole dried Guajillo Chile, seeded and chopped (These are not hot!)

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350º.  Cut the stem and seed out of two large peppers.  Cut peppers in half lengthwise.  Place in pot of boiling water and parboil for a few minutes, until just beginning to slightly soften.  Remove and drain on towel.  Place cut-side up in a greased glass dish.  Set aside while you make the filling.

Brown crumbled ground meat in a non-stick skillet.  When done, add green onion and grated zucchini and continue sauteing until zucchini is beginning to get done.  Add all spices, salt and pepper, and the chopped Guajillo chile.   Crumble up the low-carb biscuit into the meat mixture and stir well.  Now add about half of the cheese and stir so it melts and bounds with the meat, somewhat.  Spoon 1/4 of the filling into each pepper half.  Top with remaining cheese.    Bake at 350º for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly on top.  I serve these with a nice guacamole salad.

NUTRITIONAL INFO: Makes 4 serving, each contains:

488 calories

34.9 g  fat

11.85 g  carbs, 5.18 g  fiber, 6.67 g NET CARBS

37.8 g  protein

357 mg sodium