Vegetable Orzo Stuffed Peppers

With my youngest being a vegetarian now for almost a year I am always looking for new vegetarian dishes that will make my daughter happy when she comes home for a visit and also be hearty enough to keep my hard-working husband satisfied at dinner time.  I can't say this did it for my husband but he only had one pepper and if he had two I am sure he would have been fine. My daughter and I loved them and I know I will be making these again.  This recipe is adapted from www.twopeasandtheirpod.com.  This recipe works great for Meatless Mondays!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 box of sliced fresh mushrooms
4 cups vegetable broth
1-1/2 cups orzo
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
6 sweet bell peppers (red, yellow and orange)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook until tender about 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.  Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.  Remove mixture from heat.  Pour the partially drained tomatoes into a large bowl and stir in the spinach mixture.  Set aside.

Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Add the orzo and cook for 5 minutes.  Orzo will finish cooking in the oven.  Strain the orzo making sure to save the vegetable broth.

Stir the orzo into the tomato spinach mixture.  Pour the vegetable broth into a baking dish.  Slice the tops off the peppers and remove all ribbing inside.  Slice a thin slice of pepper from the base if they won't stand up in the baking dish.  Place the peppers in the dish and spoon the orzo mixture into the peppers.

Cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes.  Remove the foil and sprinkle peppers with mozzarella cheese.  Cook for an additional 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and let peppers sit for 5 minutes before serving.

This is linked to www.sweetsav.com, www.momscrazycooking, www.asouthernfairytale.com, www.heywhatsfordinnermom, www.skiptomylou.org, www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com, www.itsablogparty.com, www.33shadesofgreen, www.mandysrecipebox, www.chef-in-training.com
www.insidebrucrewlife, www.ladybehindthecurtain.com, www.mizhelenscountrycottage, www.housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com, www.4littlefergusons.wordpress.com, www.tidymom.net
www.sixsistersstuff.com, www.iamaddictedtorecipes, www.couponingncooking.com

Enjoy!! Susan