Lentil-Stuffed Peppers

Recipe is from my "The Vegetarian Gourmet's Easy International Recipes" cookbook. A Middle-Eastern flair to these peppers with the addition of pine nuts, raisens and earthy spices such as cumin and cinnamon. Choose the color of pepper you wish to use -- the recipe calls for green bell peppers.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 4  cups water
• 1  cup lentils, uncooked
• 6  large green bell peppers
• 1  teaspoon olive oil
• 1  cup onion, chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2  tablespoons pine nuts (or chopped almonds)
• 1  medium golden delicious apple, unpeeled, finely chopped
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 8  small stuffed green olives, chopped
• 1⁄3 cup raisins
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add lentils and reduce heat to medium-low - cover and simmer 40 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain.
2. Slice the tops off the bell peppers. Remove seeds and membranes. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add peppers. Boil 5 minutes, then remove peppers from water and place upside-down on towels to drain.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and pine nuts. Cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until onion begins to brown and pine nuts are lightly toasted. Add apple and continue to cook, stirring frequently, 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in lentils and remaining ingredients, mixing well.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have a 7 x 11 inch baking pan ready.
5. Divide lentil mixture evenly and fill each pepper using about 3/4 cup in each pepper. Place stuffed peppers in baking pan and fill bottom of pan with 1/4 inch water. Cover tightly and bake 35 minutes.