St. James Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup St. James Winery Friendship School Red Wine
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/8 cup minced carrots
• 1/8 cup celery
• 3 bell peppers (any color) stems and seeds removed, cut in half lengthwise
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/4 pound pancetta or lightly smoked bacon, diced
• 1-1/2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender and fluffy; set aside.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook and stir carrots and celery until tender (about 2 minutes).
5. Add ground beef and pancetta, and cook until browned and crumbled; drain off any excess liquid, and return to medium low heat.
6. Add marinara sauce, wine, and red pepper flakes and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cream, half of the Parmesan cheese, and rice.
7. Simmer 5 minutes more, or until most liquid has absorbed.
8. Place peppers in a shallow baking dish, and fill with beef mixture. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
9. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

Serving Suggestion

Serve the peppers piping hot with a glass of St. James Winery Friendship School Red Wine.