Indian Stuffed Peppers

Bored with your traditional stuffed pepper recipe? Try these Indian-style peppers. They have a distinct Indian cuisine taste thanks to a number of spices used in the recipe. Garam masala, cashews, and golden raisins give them a slightly sweet flavor. If you're new to Indian spices, garam masala is a spice mix often used in Indian curries. It could be purchased at gourmet grocery stores or made from scratch. There are many varieties of garam masala, but usually it consists of cumin, cardamom, coriander, nutmeg and cloves.

Serves 8

• 6 bell peppers, halved and cored
• 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
• 4 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp turmeric
• red chili powder to taste (optional)
• 2 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or ginger paste if you're cheating ;) )
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1/4 cup red lentils
• 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 4 cups warm water
• salt to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with tin foil. Place bell peppers cut side down on the baking sheets. Cover with another layer of tin foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until peppers become tender.

2. In a large skillet heat olive oil. Over medium, saute onions and carrots for 5 minutes or until onions become translucent. Add curry powder, garam masala, turmeric, red chili powder, and ginger. Mix everything well. Add rice, lentils, peas, raisins, cashews, and 4 cups of water. Season to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked. Remove from the heat.

3. Stuff the peppers with the rice mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!