Spooky Stuffed jack-o’-lantern bell peppers with a dill pest

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - We have partnered with the Albertsons Foundation and the Local Yuma Community Food Bank to bring you this spooky Halloween Dinner. And remember, you can find all your spooky ingredients at your local Albertsons.

Ingredients:

For the Stuffed Peppers:

• 4 large orange bell peppers
• 1 lb (450g) 90/10 ground beef
• 1 cup Israeli couscous
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

For the Dill and Pepitas Pesto:

• 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 1 cup fresh dill, packed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove garlic
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients:

Prepare the Stuffed Peppers:

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Couscous
   In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of beef broth to a boil. Add the Israeli couscous and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Sauté the Filling
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Brown the Beef
   Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
5. Combine Ingredients
   Stir in the cooked couscous, chopped dill, mint, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let it cook for a couple of minutes to combine flavors.
6. Prepare the Peppers
   Cut the tops off the yellow bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Using a sharp knife, carve jack-o'-lantern faces into the sides of the peppers.
7. Stuff the Peppers
   Fill each yellow bell pepper with the beef and couscous mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in.
8. Bake
   Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Add a little water to the bottom of the dish to create steam. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the peppers are tender.

Prepare the Dill and Pepitas Pesto:

1. Blend the Pesto:
   In a food processor, combine the pepitas, dill, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Assemble the Spooky Dinner:

1. Serve:
   Once the stuffed peppers are done, let them cool slightly before placing them on plates.
2. Add Pesto:
   Spoon a generous amount of dill and pepitas pesto onto the plate, creating a bed for the stuffed pepper.
3. Garnish:
   Sprinkle some fresh dill over the pesto to mimic grass.

This is great for any Halloween party or even a fun Halloween inspired dinner with your family.