I debated whether or not to grow banana peppers in our Garden this year. We don’t eat them on a regular basis so I thought they’d go to waste, until I remembered my sister-in-laws delicious stuffed banana peppers! I was determined to learn how to make that dish and put my own spin on it, so I jumped right in and planted a couple of plants for our family! Low and behold, banana peppers grew and just the other day, I picked about 6 or 7 big peppers. Thank God I’m finally cooking again (yay 2nd trimester) so I served my family a delicious home cooked meal made by ME! With my sister-in-laws directions and my additions, this dish turned out great and it’s Brian’s new favorite! Even the boys ate them… peppers and all!
Ingredients
1 lb. Hot or Sweet Italian Sausage (I used sweet. Consider turkey sausage for a healthier option as well!)
6-8 large Banana Peppers + 1 pepper to use in stuffing
1/3 – 1/2 cups Seasoned Italian Breadcrumbs
1-2 eggs
3-4 cloves Garlic, minced (I always cook with more Garlic!)
1 med yellow onion, diced small
Handful Pecorino Romano Cheese
Handful Fresh Basil, chopped
S&P
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes (if you want a little more heat!)
1 Jar Marinara Sauce or Homemade Marinara
Directions
In large pot, boil banana peppers for 3-4 minutes. Create an ice bath to cool after boiling.
Meanwhile, in large pan, heat EVOO. Saute onion and garlic then brown sausage. Set aside.
When banana peppers are done boiling, cut the tops off and take out all seeds and ribbing. Dice 1 for bowl mixture and set others aside.
In large bowl, put pan mixture (sausage, garlic, onion). Add 1 diced pepper, breadcrumbs, eggs, basil, s&p, Ital. seasoning, dash of garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if you are using) and a small handful cheese.
MIX.
Get a 9×13 baking dish and pour marinara in the bottom covering bottom of pan.
Stuff each pepper with mixture and line the dish with the peppers
Pour marinara over everything and if there is any meat left over, sprinkle on top and around stuffed peppers.
Sprinkle cheese over everything, cover and Bake for 50 minutes – 1 hour.
Garnish with a basil leaf and Serve!
Sweet Snack
I whipped up these Cheerio Treats made just like Rice Krispy Treats and I’m ashamed to admit, the bag is almost gone. Jen T. is to blame. They are SO goooooood!
Ingredients
6 tbsp. unsalted butter
3 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups Cheerios (Apple Cinnamon Cheerios are even better!)
Directions
In large pot, melt butter and add mini marshmallows.
Stir until combined then add cheerios. Continue stirring then pour into 9×13 greased baking dish.
Flatten with buttered spatula and let cool.
Cut and serve!
xo
PS. I thought it would be fun to show you some Awkward/BAD Pregnancy Photos I found while surfing the web… Good, Lord- I’ll keep my comments to myself and let you write the caption for this one!
