Watching Rachael Ray

So, tonight, after watching yesterday’s Rachael Ray show and getting all nostalgic for stuffed peppers, I decided to tackle my first RR Recipe; Stuffed Pepper Stoup. I printed the recipe, checked what I had on hand, and headed off to the store, with the ingredient list in hand:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
Salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice (eyeball it)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 bay leaf
1 quart chicken stock
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 cup orzo pasta
12-15 basil leaves, shredded or torn
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table

As I live in Alaska, I knew I may have to make some adjustments, and sure enough, that’s what happened. Nothing too major, and one addition because of taste, and we were good to go. The adjustments to the original recipe were the following:

Added mushrooms. Because I like them.
There were no fresh basil leaves at the store, so I bought dried basil instead.
A little slice of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese cost over $10. I’m a single mom on a budget, so we got shredded Italian Blend instead - which contains Parmigian, Ramano and Asiago.

And that was all she wrote! It’s a 30-minute meal, but I had a little 8 year old helper, and thus it took closer to 45. The end result, however, looked just like the picture, and tasted divine! And the smell! Oh my goodness, my house STILL smells good.

It is said to serve four, but even with sending samples down to Nana and Papa for their opinion, we only ate half of it, which means there’s at least four more servings to be had. The biggest surprise was my son, who hates all things soups and stews, wouldn’t stop eating it to tell me how much he liked it. Stuffed Pepper Stoup is a HIT.

The ratings.
I asked each person who tasted it to give it a rating between 1-5, 1 being “never again” and 5 being “Yum-o!” These are the results:

The Pup (8):5! Can we have it again TOMORROW?
The Boy (15): 5! But not an everyday 5, more like a once a month 5.
The Girl (13):4.75. I don’t like mushrooms, mom!
Nana (1 week older then Papa): 4.5! Papa, don’t you eat that last bit…
Papa (1 week younger then Nana): 4.5! It’s horrible. Don’t ever make it again. Really. Though I may have to have several more spoonfuls to be certain. HEY! Nana stole my last bite!
And Me (old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway): 4.5

It was very easy, it came together really in no time at all, and it is definitely something we will have again, soon. So what are ya waiting for? Go try it!

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday