Super Stuffed Green Peppers

So far today, I've hit up the grocery store, cleaned, did laundry, prepped dinner, baked sweet potatoes for the little miss, commented on various food blogs I'd been neglecting, and read some of my book.  Pretty productive, huh?

That is my typical Friday.  I schedule my part-time job so that I mainly work Tuesday-Thursday, leaving me with really long weekends.  Weekends were I can get a ton done at home, even if we are gone one of the days for various things.  I love it.

The only hiccup so far today has been little man's disapproval for his nap.  We don't give in at our house.  We lay him down around 12:30 p.m. and lately he likes to sit in there and talk for an hour, strip his bed down to the mattress and yell at various things out the window.  Today he finally fell asleep around 3:00 p.m.

Like I said I don't give in.  He needs his naps.  Eventually he falls asleep.  A good thing that came out of it was more time for me to prep this dinner.  You can thank him later.

My mom and dad gave us a ton of produce the last time they visited and some of it included green peppers.  I've been thinking about these stuffed peppers for a week and have just finally gotten around to making them.  I ate a bowl of the extra stuffing for lunch....it is that good.

Super Stuffed Green Peppers
5 green peppers, cut and cored lengthwise
2 c. rice, cooked
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 egg
1 t. oregano
1 t. garlic salt
1/2 small onion, diced
1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
salt, pepper to taste

Prep green peppers, lay on paper plate and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until just a little tender.  Set aside to cool.  In a baking sheet pour in 1/4 can of the tomato sauce and spread on the bottom of the pan.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a sauce pan cook rice according to directions, set aside to cool.  In same pan saute onion and ground beef until juices run clear, drain.  In a large bowl combine rice, beef mixture, 1/4 can tomato sauce, cheddar cheese, seasonings and egg.  Stuff this mixture into the green peppers and place in pan.  Pour remaining tomato sauce over peppers.  Top with mozzarella cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes.

We will be making these again.

Moving on.

So, I'm watching a local talk show right now while typing this.  They just said that "90% of all Iowans have never visited a farm".

What?

It may just be me, but that sounds crazy!  Isn't farmland, corn, pigs, etc. all you think of when you think of Iowa?  (It may be all you think of, but trust me it isn't all that is here!)

So, it got me thinking.  Have you ever visited a farm?  I certainly didn't grow up on one, but have been to many.  What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you think I-O-W-A?

Have a great night everyone!