This is not a cooking blog but in the spirit of New Year, we are trying to create a new niche where we are putting one delightful recipe that you can enjoy over the next weekend or whenever you get some free time. By now, we certainly believe that you must have taken into consideration the blog posts on the website and have taken some interest in cooking. As was previously discussed, cooking is a great pastime to keep the mind and body occupied. Not only that, it helps you fight off the certain urges to go for fast food which at most times is not a very healthy option.
Once you have started cooking, not only you will be better able to enjoy your time, you will be able to appreciate the effort that goes into creating something truly delectable. If you are using a pedometer, you will also be able to gauge the number of steps that you will take during the process of cooking. Although it will not be much, but it is still better than ordering a pizza at your doorstep as you will be required to walk much more.
Once you start cooking regularly, you will be able to enjoy not just the end product but the whole process of cooking. Most people are actually born with the ability to cook well, although the famous chefs are people who can ascend beyond their personal taste and choices. For the rest of us, we can truly enjoy cooking as we can stick to the options and ingredients that we like.
The first recipe that we are discussing is about stuffed peppers. Peppers are healthy and have many benefits related to the digestive system. They carry a sweet aroma that makes them noticeable in Salads and other dishes providing a definitive smell that is soothing and warm. They are very much used for Salads, pizza toppings, fillings and other sources where there presence adds spice and flavor in the food.
If you have not tried stuffed peppers before, it is a great dish to start with. Their health benefits make them a very good main course meal on a Saturday evening – a just reward on a good relaxing day in.
Stuffed Peppers:
Servings: 2
Time: 60 minutes
- 2 large bell peppers
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 200 grams minced chicken / for vegetable options (Zucchini diced should be used)
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 Table Spoon Olive oil
- 1 Table Spoon Garlic Paste
- 1 small ginger (25 grams diced)
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- Fresh Coriander
- Cumin Seeds
- 1 table spoon lemon juice
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- Herbs/Spice as per taste and choice (Basil – Thyme – or others as per taste)
- Yogurt 100 grams (optional for sauce)
Preheat skillet or pan and add olive oil to it. Once the oil is heated, add the onions in the pan. Cook until the onions become dark brown and add garlic and tomato paste to the onions. Cook for 3 minutes at low heat and add minced chicken (or Zucchini in case of vegetarian cooking). Cook for further ten minutes until chicken starts to look cooked and starts changing color. Add cumin, fresh coriander and diced ginger and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add lime juice along with finely chopped parsley and other herbs or spice that you like. Add salt and black pepper as per taste and let mixture cook on low heat until the meat feels cooked.
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Carefully slice off the tops of the peppers with the stems still attached. Remove seeds. Place peppers in a baking tray and stuff them with the chicken mixture from the pan into both peppers equally. Bake the peppers for 30 minutes.
Once the skillet or pan is empty from the contents, add yogurt and let it cook for 3 minutes. No need to clean the contents of the pan as the sauce uses the remains of the chicken filling to get its flavor.
Remove the contents from the oven and serve with yogurt sauce and lime honey tea for a complete and wonderful dinner. Garnish with more herbs and have a salad ready for your wonderful home meal.
In order to have even a healthier version of the same dish, do not use the olive oil or yogurt for sauce. Nuts can also be used in the filling, almonds, walnuts and cashews are great replacements of meat in case you are going for a vegetarian option.
Advantages of cooking:
Although this is just a reference recipe, if you start cooking regularly you will realize that a lot of fast food and junk food cravings will be minimized. Cooking also is a relaxing activity and will help you fight stress and keep your mind busy and focused.
Bon Apetite!!!
Photo credit:
Vegan Feast Catering /
Foter /
CC BY