German Stuffed Bell Peppers

Preparation time: 40 minutes. Total Time: 2 hours.

Basic nutritional information:

Each serving contains about 685 calories, or which 500 are from fat. Cholesterol content is 420 mg. Sodium is 1683 mg. Total carbohydrates are about 38 g. These numbers will vary based on the number of servings you make and the types of ingredients you use.

Ingredients:

12 bell peppers (all one color or you can mix it up)
1 lb ground beef
1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
1 lb sauerkraut
6 tbs extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs tomato paste
1 tb granulated sugar
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 bunch dill, finely chopped
1/2 lb feta, small cubes
7oz crème fraiche
4 large eggs, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to: 400F/200C

If you have a gas oven: set the oven on 6

2. Cut the top off the bell peppers and set aside. You can use peppers that are all the same color, or you can mix your colors. This depends on personal style and desired presentation effects. Now remove the seeds and hollow out your peppers. Wash them out and set them aside to dry.

3. Brown the ground beef in a pan. If you are not using a nonstick pan, add a couple tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking. Rinse the ground beef thoroughly, drain and set aside.

4. Sauté the onion in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil until they become clear and tender. Add in the sauerkraut and tomato paste. Stir well. Add in the granulated sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally.

5. Add the browned ground beef to your mixture. Stir in well and continue simmering for additional 4-5 minutes to allow the flavors time to mingle and settle.

6. Add dill, feta and three tablespoons crème fraiche to the sauerkraut mixture. Stir well and continue to allow simmering. This is the filling for your peppers.

7. Lightly grease a casserole dish, or you can spray it with nonstick cooking spray. If you choose to use nonstick cooking spray, try to stay away from butter flavored varieties.

8. Spoon the filling into the peppers and set them inside the greased casserole dish.

9. Mix the eggs with the remaining crème fraiche, add a few drops of water and season with the hot paprika, salt and pepper to taste. Pour this over the tops of the stuffed peppers.

10. Place the tops of the peppers back onto their respective bottoms and cover the entire dish with a lid or foil. Seal the edges well and place the dish in the oven.

11. Bake the peppers for 40 minutes.

12. Remove the dish from the oven. Remove the lid, or foil, and lightly brush the tops of the peppers with the remaining extra virgin olive oil.

13. Place the dish back in the oven without the lid, or foil. Turn the oven off and allow the peppers to sit in the oven for another 10 minutes.

14. Serve immediately. If you like you can serve them whole with the lids placed beside them on the plate, or you can cut the in half and lay the halves next to each other. This is also according to you presentation style.

Ideas for a side dish:

Stuffed peppers are generally served as a one dish meal. However, if you are wondering what to prepare to serve with them, here are some ideas. You can prepare a nice rice pilaf, or potato pancakes.

I have also heard of some people preparing a corn or carrot dish to compliment the peppers. This is, again, entirely up to you and your presentation style. Of course, remember that if you add sides, you must remember to adjust your preparation time before your completed meal will be ready to enjoy.