Barley stuffed peppers

Try these barley stuffed peppers for an easy weeknight meal! Substitute the ground meat or colour of peppers to what your family prefers.

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 lb (450 g) extra-lean ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, chicken)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 ½ cups cooked barley
• 3 cups water
• 1 can (398 mL) tomato sauce
• ¼ cup shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Cut tops off peppers; chop finely. Remove and discard seeds.
• Stand pepper in a baking dish, set aside.
• Saute peppers, meat and onions in large skillet on medium heat until meat is evenly browned, stirring occasionally.
• Add barley and water to a pot, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and let simmer until tender.
• Remove cooked barley from stove.
• Add meat mixture and tomato sauce to barley, stir well to create filling for peppers.
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Fill standing peppers with filling.
• Bake 35 to 40 min. or until peppers are tender.
• Remove from oven, sprinkle cheese on top.
• Put back in oven until cheese is melted.

#TrainWithGrainsTip:  When cooking barley, try to remember the ratio of 2 cups water for every 1 cup of barley. Too much or too little water can affect cooking time and the taste of the cooked grain.

#DidYouKnow? 1/2 cup of cooked barley is considered to be one grain serving?