(Family Features) While there are many ways to enhance the taste and texture of your family’s favorite dishes, perhaps one of the simplest and most impactful is the addition of cheese. From fish and seafood to veggie-inspired recipes, the dairy delight provides a versatile, flavorful ingredient.
If a vegetarian-friendly meal suits your style, cheese can also enhance plant-forward dishes like Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. These red bell peppers are cooked and seeded before being stuffed with onions, mushrooms, cheese and seasonings. Once they’re baked to an ooey-gooey doneness, they’re served with white rice for a filling yet healthful meal.
Visit realcaliforniamilk.com/hispanic-dairy to find more cheesy, delicious recipes.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: about 1 hour
Servings: 4
4 red bell peppers
1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon, vegetable oil, divided
1 cup white onion (about 1 medium), 1/4-inch diced
4 cups cremini or brown mushrooms (about 1 pound), 1/4-inch diced
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup Real California Oaxaca cheese, shredded
cooked white rice, for serving
Preheat oven to 400 F.
Rub bell peppers with 1 tablespoon oil then use grill, broiler or gas stovetop burner to cook peppers, turning occasionally, until well charred, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to bowl, cover and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
In large skillet over medium heat, warm remaining oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, 3-5 minutes. Add mushrooms, garlic salt and black pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned and liquid is almost entirely evaporated, 7-10 minutes.
Rub charred skin from bell peppers. Slice off tops and remove seeds. Fill bell peppers with mushroom mixture, top with cheese and arrange in baking dish. Replace bell pepper tops and bake until cheese melts, 8-10 minutes. Serve with cooked rice.
Source: Real California Milk
