Mediterranean Stuffed Pepper with Turkey, Orzo and Feta Cheese

Some foods shout out comfort and remind me of my mother. Stuffed peppers was a staple in our home when I was growing up. My mother, a creative cook, never made anything with the same ingredients, doctoring up, her words, any recipe she cut and saved from ‘Woman’s Magazine.’
She never wrote down any of her adjustments or changes to a recipe.
She liked the freedom from structure and routine when cooking and living her life. On her bookshelf, she stacked her collection of recipes in a pile that she skimmed through for ideas before she fashioned a delicious meal from scratch.

I share so many of my mother’s passions, cooking, gardening, entertaining, and family. One area that we are total opposites is the organization and structure of life. I am an organization geek and live by having a set place for everything.

When my mother would come for a visit, she would marvel at how organized I was and how my life flow systematically. I think she found it amusing that I gravitated to the direct opposite of her raising my family.
My children had chores each day, which they completed without being asked and helped in many ways at home. Although she admired my skills, they were not for her. She told me that I was like my grandmother, organized and structured, something she hated growing up. And when she had her own family, she wanted nothing to do with my grandmother’s rules and tasks.

Now that my mother and grandmother are no longer with me, I am grateful that I inherited the best traits from both women.

Mediterranean Stuffed Pepper with Turkey, Orzo and Feta Cheese

2 red, 2 yellow, and 2 orange peppers

1 cup orzo, cook according to package instructions, cooled

1 lb. ground turkey

1 cup mozzarella

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon mint

1/2 teaspoon dill

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon zest of lemon

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Sauce

2 tablespoon olive oi

l2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 can(14.5 oz) petite chopped tomatoes, I use Hunt’s no salt added

2 tablespoon parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut off the top of each bell pepper and reserve the tops; discard the seeds and white membranes. Put the turkey in a large bowl; add 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup feta, orzo, oregano, mint, dill, allspice, cinnamon garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Gently mix with your hands. Stuff each bell pepper evenly with the turkey-rice mixture; cover with the pepper tops. Place in baking dish.

Make the sauce: Heat oil in a deep and wide saucepan. Add garlic cooking until translucent, don’t brown. Add oregano, pepper, and salt until combined. Slowly pour in tomatoes cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Top peppers with tomato sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Cover with lid or aluminum foil and bake her for 60 minutes

Enjoy!