Good Eats: Stuffed Pepper Soup

This is so good you guys! Oh my gosh! This is just like making stuffed peppers but in soup form!!
I've been hungry for green peppers lately, and then, perfect timing! They go on sale 2 for a dollar! Went out and bought 10! Used 2 in some great steak kabobs on the grill when we had a freaky warm day and couldn't bear the thought of cooking indoors. Used some more peppers in omelets on a breakfast-for-dinner night. Peppers mixed in scalloped potatoes. Peppers mixed in cooked ground beef. And now, Stuffed Pepper Soup!

Picked this up off one of those store magazines you get for free by the door, but can't remember when. I clipped it out to try and with my pepper craving, it seemed the perfect time to make it! I've never made stuffed peppers for the kids, but I could easily imagine their reactions to me plopping a soft, mushy, stuffed pepper on their plates and expecting them to eat it. Can't you just hear the "ewwws" and "what's this?" and see those scrunched up faces???  I figured stuffed peppers deconstructed into a soup would be easier to swallow-- in more ways than one!

It's a slow-cooker recipe, but I didn't get started on it until the afternoon, so I just simmered it a few hours on the stove instead. It smells heavenly and after an hour, every single child came in and asked what I was cooking. After telling them what it was, I scooped a tortilla chip into the mixture and shoveled it in their mouths-- instant "yum!"  Come dinner time, I had no problems getting them to clean their bowls! It's *that* good! 

I also made the mistake of doubling this. No need!  This makes a lot! Only a pound of meat? I thought it wouldn't be enough, so I doubled it, and I'm left with a lot of leftovers. But I'm not complaining-- I'll happily eat this for lunch tomorrow! It was just a little bland for my taste, so I spiced it up by adding more black pepper and some steak seasoning spices-- ah, much better!

Here's the recipe, let me know if you make this!

Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

1 lb. ground turkey (I used ground beef instead)
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
28 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
6 oz can tomato paste
4 cups low sodium chicken broth (I used beef broth)
3 cups chopped green pepper
2/3 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
1 tsp dried basil
black pepper to taste

In large skillet, cook turkey (or beef), onion and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain any fat and transfer mixture to a slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients and stir gently to mix. Cook on low for 8-9 hours. Add water to thin if necessary. 

(my version: cook meat in a big pot, drain fat, add remaining ingredients and cook on a low simmer for 3 hours)

Enjoy!!