Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers

My inspiration for this dish is my mother's stuffed bell peppers.  The cinnamon in them fills the kitchen and the complex sweet (raisins) and savory (feta cheese) flavors leaves you wanting more.  I took her basic idea and made my own version.

My Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups bell pepper, chopped into bite size pieces
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1.5 cups Israel Couscous
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• Fat free Feta cheese
• Parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Lightly coat bell peppers with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Bake for 30 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add onions and saute until golden.  Add couscous, cinnamon, and bay leaf to the pot.  Stir often until couscous lightly browns.  Add chicken broth, raisins, spinach and bring to boil.  Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat and stir in roasted peppers and cumin.

Season with pepper and salt to taste.  If desired add feta cheese and parsley.

Now that dish is good, and my coworkers can confirm that it smells amazing, but eating the same dish for multiple meals becomes old.  I added some additions to the above dish and it is out of this world good.

If using leftover couscous mixture (sans feta cheese) add the following ingredients:
1/3 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
Olive oil
Salt
Mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper coat carrots and cherry tomatoes with olive oil.  Season with salt.  Roast for about 30 minutes or until carrots are tender.

Heat up leftover couscous mixture.  Mix in the roasted tomatoes and carrots and top with mozzarella cheese.

Trust, this is a healthy veggie dish that is sure to impress.