Creole peppers are a colorful, festive addition to any table, including Mardi Gras.
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 45 mins
Extra Time: 1 hr
(for pre-cooking rice and for setting of peppers)
Yield: 4 x bell pepper servings
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
Cut tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds. Reserve tops. If necessary, to help peppers stand firmly, trim a slice off bottom, taking care not to cut through. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine rice, beans, corn, onion, cheese, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon filling into bell peppers, packing lightly and mounding tops.
Place the peppers in a baking dish and cover with reserved tops. Place baking dish on middle rack in oven. Carefully add water to baking dish to a depth of 1-1/2 inches. Bake in preheated oven until peppers are soft when pierced with knife, about 45 to 50 minutes.
Remove pepper tops and discard. In small bowl, combine oil and lemon juice. Spoon mixture over peppers. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
* Non-dairy: 1/2 cup crumbled non-dairy cheese can be substituted for feta.