N'Awlins Stuffed Bell Peppers

This was my first attempt at stuffing bell peppers. I don't eat many bell peppers so this one I made for my husband.

These weren't your ordinary stuffed bell peppers. These had shrimp, ham, beef, cornbread stuffing and fresh veggies. I've heard of other simpler recipes involving beef, cheese and rice- I plan to try that next - for something I don't eat, I'd much prefer a recipe with fewer ingredients.

Serving Size: 6

Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 small green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Gumbo file powder
Salt and Ground Black Pepper to taste
3/4 pound ground beef
6 ounces cooked ham, finely chopped
1/2 pound baby shrimp
1/2 (16 ounce) package dry cornbread stuffing mix
3 large green bell peppers, halved and seeded
1/2 cup plan bread crumbs
Season with Cheyenne Red Pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. Boil the 3 large green bell peppers halves for 3 minutes and sit out to dry while preparing the rest of the meal. (This will keep the moisture in the bell peppers so they will be easier to eat with stuffing and keep the stuffing from being as dry.)

3. Heat oil in a large pot over low heat. Saute onion, celery and chopped green pepper for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Season with parsley, Creole seasoning, file powder, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium high, and add ground beef. Cook until beef is evenly browned. Stir in ham, and cook for 5 minutes. Add shrimp, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in stuffing mix.

4. Stuff each bell pepper half, and lightly sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Place stuffed bell pepper halves in ungreased baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

The original recipe was found at AllRecipes.com By: NinainNO - See the original recipe here for 12 servings.

**Note: I did make variations to this recipe and my variations are posted above.