Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients
3 or 4 whole green (or red) peppers
1 cup instant rice ) not cooked
1 pound ground beef, turkey, or veal
1 medium onion, chopped
1 15 oz. tomato sauce
1/2 cup salsa (you can use diced canned tomatoes if you don't like salsa)
diced tops of the bell peppers...should be a little less than a cup.
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 cup button mushrooms chopped
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Cheese of choice.
You may also add water to the mix if it seems too dry. You will need the extra moisture for the rice.

Instructions
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
2. "Core" the peppers (take the stems and seeds out) and scald them in boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until tender. **optional
3. On high to medium high heat, cook the meat in an ungreased, non-stick or well-seasoned skillet (the fat will keep the food from sticking).
4. When the meat is almost done, add the chopped onion, and continue cooking until the meat is done and the onion pieces are translucent (add olive oil if necessary). Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Lower to medium heat and stir in the diced bell pepper tops, garlic, and mushrooms cooking just long enough for the veggies to start to soften. add tomato sauce and salsa. Stir until completely combined and simmering.
6. Add the uncooked rice. Stir.
7. Fill the bell peppers with the meat sauce. You will have extra sauce, leave it in the pan to surround the stuffed peppers.

8. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the rice is fully cooked.
9. Turn off oven, uncover peppers. Add your favorite cheese to the top and put back into the hot oven to melt cheese. I used pepper jack cheese.