I prepared my meat stuffed peppers without eggs with all the precautions to achieve a light dish.
I chose sweet elongated peppers known as corno di toro or cornetto, ripe red ones which are more digestible.
For the preparation of the filling, I used selected minced meat, a mix of beef and pork, lean from the first cut – if you prefer an even leaner filling, you can use minced white meat such as chicken or turkey, preferably breast.
Let’s prepare our “pipi cini”, a main course from the southern tradition cuisine.
Cooking in the oven or air fryer.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Electric Oven, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
For the filling preparation I used:
selected minced meat, a mix of beef and pork, lean from the first cut – if you want an even leaner filling, you can use minced white meat such as chicken or turkey, preferably breast.
- corno di toro peppers (red or yellow 2 or 3)
- 8.5 oz mixed minced meat (beef and pork, lean, first cut)
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (or wholemeal breadcrumbs)
- 2 tbsp cheese (grated: cacio cavallo or grana or parmesan)
- 1 pinch garlic powder (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- as needed chopped parsley
Suggested Tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Bowl
- Baking Tray 10×11.5 in
- Parchment Paper
Preparation
Wash the peppers thoroughly.
Remove the stem and empty the inside: remove the seeds and white part using a knife.
In a bowl, pour in:
– the minced meat;
– the breadcrumbs or wholemeal breadcrumbs, 15 g scoop or 1 heaped tablespoon;
– the grated cheese, 15 g scoop or 1 heaped tablespoon;
– garlic powder [optional];
– a pinch of salt;
– a pinch of pepper;
– chopped parsley if you like;
and mix the ingredients well until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.Divide the mixture into as many equal portions as there are peppers to fill.
Shape each portion into an elongated meatball and insert it inside the peppers, pressing lightly with your fingers.
Line a baking tray with a sheet of parchment paper.
Place the stuffed peppers.Since this is a minced meat-based preparation, the stuffing must be well cooked and not rare to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses from pathogenic microorganisms.
Preheat the oven.
Bake in a fan oven at 356°F for about an hour, turning them a couple of times.The peppers will be ready when they have the consistency of roasted ones and the skin can be easily removed.
Plate up.
Your meat stuffed peppers without eggs are ready.
Enjoy your meal!
Storage, Tips, and Variations
You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
You can omit the cheese.
You can flavor the mixture with herbs or spices.
Cooked stuffed peppers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a couple of days.
You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Peppers and Glycemia
Peppers are among the vegetables that in case of hyperglycemia, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes could cause a rise in blood sugar, so they should be consumed in moderate amounts and it is advisable to monitor their glycemic response.
Peppers slightly change their sugar content depending on their maturity level:
– green peppers are less mature and less sweet but also harder to digest;
– yellow and orange peppers are mature and have a milder flavor;
– red peppers are the most mature and sweetest with a slightly higher carbohydrate and sugar content.
At the same time, more mature peppers are more digestible.
To delve deeper into the topic, read the article by clicking on the following link: Peppers and Glycemia: Attention to Maturity and Quantity.You Should Know That!
Since this is a minced meat-based preparation, it must always be well cooked and not rare to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses from pathogenic microorganisms.
On a steak, any contamination remains superficial and is eliminated during cooking.
– that’s why you can eat a steak rare or undercooked.
In minced meat preparations, contamination can spread inside.
– that’s why when consuming burgers, meatballs, or other minced meat dishes, it is important that the cooking is complete and there are no pink or undercooked areas.Can I Cook Stuffed Peppers in an Air Fryer?
Yes.
Follow the instructions – program, temperature, and times – indicated in the manual of your appliance.
Check the cooking level from time to time.
In general, with an air fryer, cooking times are reduced:
– in a fan oven at 356°F for 1 hour;
– in an air fryer at 320°F for 48 minutes.
