Benefits of Bell Peppers!

Love bell peppers, whether they are in a salad, sautéed, stuffed of just dipped in some hummus… LOVE them!

Why they are awesome:

• Help prevent against cancers, disease, inflammation and cell damage.
• Awesome source of vitamin A and C.
• Very low in calories so virtually you can eat like 3 whole peppers without many calories, plus they are nutrient-dense so they fill you up!
• Skin looks healthy and glowing (because of the Vitamin A and C).
• They are sweet on their own! Great for desert… yes I have ate bell peppers for desert.. call me weird. I don’t care lol.
• There is keratin enzymes in bell peppers, great for keeping eyes healthy.
• Good source of fiber.

How to pick the best!!:

• Find peppers with the brightest colors. The brighter, the more ripe and sweet!
• Cool fact: The green, yellow and orange peppers you see, are actually RED peppers that haven’t ripened yet! What?! I know! Fun little fact! (there is nothing wrong with eating the other colors btw)
• Pick peppers with a glossy shine to them.

   

How to eat and prepare: YUMMM

• raw
• raw dipped in hummus, salsa, or even guacamole.
• sautéed
• sautéed for fajitas
• Cut the top off and stuff them with veggies and rice- bake.
• In salads
• Add to sandwiches.
• Make stir-fry
• Add to soups
• In pasta dishes.
• Grill them – make kabobs!
• And many other ways! Get creative !!! =)

 

Related articles

• The Bell Pepper Sex Scandal (showmeoz.wordpress.com)
• Cole Slaw, Cole Slaw Recipe & Chipotle Cole Slaw | Pottery Barn (potterybarn.com)
• Ruby Red Wednesday – Day 3 of Only Salad for Lunch Week (chefdehome.wordpress.com)
• How To Make THE BEST hummus ever! (foulmouthedfoodie.wordpress.com)
• Southwest Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe (fitstyled.wordpress.com)
• Pepper Bumps: They Mean Something… (plantsomeshit.wordpress.com)
• Stuffed Bell Peppers (goodfoodgoodhealth.org)
• Black Bean & Corn Salad (dishingitoutwithclarissa.com)
• Hot Quinoa With Mushrooms & Bell Peppers (deliciouslyelegant.wordpress.com)
• Fiesta Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe (drinkthepink.wordpress.com)

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Chicken Cacciatore (WW)

You’ll Need:

8 pieces of chicken, skinned (I used 8 small thighs)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 teaspoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1/4 lb of mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup of chopped celery or fennel

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Pinch if cayenne

2 cups of prepared marinara sauce

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in large non-stick skillet and set over medium heat. Add chicken, and cook until browned on each side (about 4 min) Transfer chicken onto plate and set aside.
• heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in the same skillet. Add onion and garlic , cook, and stirring occasionally until tender. add bell peppers, mushrooms, celery, oregano and cayenne.  Cook, stirring occasionally until tender.
• Return chicken to the skillet, add marinara sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered. Cook until chicken is cooked all the way through and veggies are tender (around 20 min).

• I made this dish with 2 sides (you can find both of these in my recipe index, or click on links below):

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Chives (WW)
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes (WW)

All together (with both sides = 8 points for Weight Watchers)

For just Chicken:
SERVES 8     WW points 4    PER SERVING 1 piece of chicken, 1/2 cup of veggies with sauce.

(Note: I took this out of a Weight watchers cookbook, I did not make this recipe up on my own…. besides recipes are meant to be shared 🙂 )