Sweet Peppers Stuffed With Lamb And Minted Couscous
- 6 medium Italian sweet peppers
- 1 23 cups couscous
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Pinch turmeric
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 clove garlic, minced
- 6 ounces ground lamb
- 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove the stems from the peppers with a paring knife.
- Remove the seeds, leaving the vegetables whole.
- Set aside.
- Place the couscous in a very fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold running water.
- Rub the couscous between your hands to separate the grains.
- Spread the couscous in a shallow pan and let it rest for 15 minutes until plumped.
- Run your fingers through it to keep it from being clumpy.
- Place one cup of the broth, the salt and turmeric in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the couscous and stir.
- Strain off excess liquid, if any, reserve and return the couscous to the shallow pan to cool quickly.
- Meanwhile, in a small saute pan, heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and brown slightly.
- Add the ground lamb and pepper and stir over high heat until the meat is slightly undercooked, about two to three minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the couscous, lamb, chopped mint and egg and mix well.
- Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper if desired.
- Stuff the mixture tightly into the peppers, being careful not to break them.
- Lightly coat a medium-sized skillet with four tablespoons of olive oil.
- Place over a high flame and add the peppers.
- Cook until slightly browned.
- Measure the reserved broth and, if necessary, add more broth to bring the total to one cup.
- Add this to the peppers.
- Cover and finish cooking in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
- Serve hot, cold or at room temperature.
italian sweet peppers, couscous, chicken broth, salt, turmeric, olive oil, clove garlic, ground lamb, ground black pepper, fresh mint, egg
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1643 (may not work)