Jack o’ Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Serves 6 | Phase 2 | Prep time: 30 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 6 orange bell peppers

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, lightly brown the beef and onion.

Turn the heat to low and add the celery, cilantro, garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil.

When the beef is completely browned, remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the spinach.

Wash each bell pepper and remove the tops, cores, and seeds.

Cut a jack o’ lantern face into each pepper.
Divide the beef mixture evenly among the peppers.

Put the stuffed peppers in a glass or enameled baking dish and pour 2 tablespoons of water into the bottom.

Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.

Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and take off the foil.

Turn up the oven to 400 degrees and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Allow the peppers to cool somewhat before serving.