Roasted Mini Stuffed Peppers

Roasted Mini Stuffed Peppers

You Will need:

Peppers:
10-15 assorted mini sweet peppers
1 Box instant Cous Cous (flavored: roasted garlic and olive oil or plain)
1+1/2 cups chopped spinach
1/2 cup of chopped parsley
1/2 small red onion, minced
3 small cloves of minced garlic
1 cup of crumbled Gorgonzola or mild/creamy blue cheese
2  tablespoons of extra virgin Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
*1/4 teaspoon of salt
*1/2 cup of water (optional)
(if using flavored cous cous, less salt may be needed so always taste before adding salt)

Breadcrumb Topping:
1 cup seasoned Italian, or plain breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 cup of parmigiano reggiano cheese
 *salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup of finely crushed pignoli nuts

-Prepare cous cous according to package directions, set aside
-In a saute pan heat two tablespoons of olive oil and saute onions for three minutes
-Then add minced garlic and saute until softened
-Add chopped spinach and stir to combine flavors
-Add prepared cous cous, stir and heat through
-Add pepper, and *salt if needed
-Remove mixture and set aside in a bowl to cool.
-When cooled, add 1 package or 8oz of Gorgonzola or mild Blu Cheese
-Pre-heat oven to 350.

-Prepare mini peppers by cutting off top and removing ribs and seeds. Because peppers are too small to fill whole, cut in half and serve as "boats", or with really small peppers, lengthwise, cut off top eighth of pepper to create a boat with more room for filling.

-With a small spoon or your fingers, fill pepper "boats" and pack tightly with mixture.
-Arrange on a baking sheet large enough for at least a 1/4'' or more around each pepper.
-*You may want to add a half cup of water to the bottom of the baking pan, if it has sides, to help steam/cook the peppers

Bake for 15 minutes at 350

While peppers are baking assemble topping:
-Combine breadcrumbs, oil, cheese, and pignoli nuts.
-Mix well.

After 15 minutes of cooking remove baking sheet with peppers and top each one with breadcrumb mixture. Put back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until the breadcrumbs become crispy and brown :)