As the leaves turn and the air becomes crisp, there's no better way to embrace October than with the delightful pairing of autumn harvest stuffed bell peppers and a comforting spiced apple cider. This combination captures the essence of fall, making it ideal for gatherings with friends or a cozy evening at home.
Autumn Harvest Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- Peppers: 4 medium bell peppers of any color.
- Filling Base: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium diced onion, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning.
- Protein: 1 pound of ground beef or turkey. For a vegetarian or vegan option, use 2 cups of cooked lentils or beans, crumbled tofu, or a meat alternative.
- Veggies (optional): 1 cup of diced mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini.
- Grain: 2 cups of a cooked grain like brown rice, quinoa, millet, or orzo.
- Sauce: 1 (24-ounce) jar of spaghetti sauce or 3 cups of crushed tomatoes.
- Cheese: 1.5 cups of shredded cheese (dairy or vegan).
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the peppers by washing them, cutting off the tops, and removing the seeds.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the diced onion with a pinch of salt until softened. You can also add the diced pepper tops if you like. Stir in the Italian seasoning.
- Add your chosen protein to the pan and cook until it's browned (if applicable).
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked grain, spaghetti sauce, and 1 cup of the cheese with the protein and vegetable mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff each bell pepper with the filling and top with the remaining cheese.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish, cover it, and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover the dish and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail & Mocktail
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar or honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions for the Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar/honey until dissolved.
- Add the cinnamon sticks and let the mixture cool completely. You can store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For the Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz apple cider
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ - 1 oz cinnamon simple syrup (to taste)
- 2 oz of your chosen spirit (spiced rum, bourbon, or gin work wonderfully)
- Ice
- ¼ - ½ cup sparkling water or ginger ale/ginger beer
- Garnish: Apple slices, a lemon twist, cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions for the Cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the apple cider, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon simple syrup, and your chosen spirit.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water or ginger ale/ginger beer for a bit of fizz.
- Garnish with an apple slice, a lemon twist, or a cinnamon stick.
For the Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz apple cider
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ - 1 oz cinnamon simple syrup (to taste)
- Ice
- ¼ - ½ cup sparkling water
- Garnish: Apple slices, lemon slice, cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions for the Mocktail
- Combine the apple cider, lemon juice, and cinnamon simple syrup in a glass.
- Add ice and sparkling water, stirring gently to mix the ingredients.
- Garnish with optional apple slices, a lemon slice, or a cinnamon stick.
This recipe provides a balanced, spiced cocktail that isn't overly sweet, with the spirit complementing the autumnal flavors of apple and cinnamon. Enjoy!