Stuffed Bell Peppers (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Peppers

01 - 4 big bell peppers in your choice of red, green, yellow, or orange

→ For the Filling

02 - 1 tablespoon of olive oil
03 - 2 minced garlic cloves
04 - 1 cup of cooked rice (any type you like: white, brown, or wild)
05 - ½ cup of zucchini, diced into small pieces
06 - ½ cup mushrooms, chopped
07 - ½ cup drained, canned diced tomatoes
08 - ½ cup of black beans (or chickpeas), rinsed to remove excess liquid
09 - ½ cup of onion diced smaller for easy cooking

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - 1 teaspoon of paprika powder
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper for extra flavor

→ Toppings

14 - ½ cup of shredded cheddar or mozzarella (only if you want)
15 - A handful of fresh cilantro or parsley to sprinkle on top

# Instructions:

01 - Turn your oven to 375°F (190°C). Chop off the tops of the peppers and take out the seeds. Want softer peppers? Either bake them for 10 minutes or boil for a few minutes first.
02 - Heat up some olive oil in a skillet. Toss in onions and garlic to cook for a bit. Add mushrooms and zucchini, cooking till soft. Mix in the canned tomatoes, beans, and your spices. Finally, stir it all with the cooked rice.
03 - Fill each pepper with your rice mixture. Stand the peppers up in a baking dish. Pour water or tomato sauce in the base of the dish. Add cheese on top if using.
04 - Wrap the dish in foil and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Take off the foil and bake for an extra 10 minutes to melt the cheese. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and enjoy!

# Notes:

01 - You can assemble the peppers ahead and refrigerate before cooking.
02 - Perfect for batch cooking or saving leftovers for later.
03 - Switch it up by trying new grains or beans!