Low Carb Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers (Lean & Green)

These baked stuffed jalapeno peppers
are the best "poppers" I have ever had!

Ingredients:

olive or avocado oil cooking spray

4 ounces 95 - 98 % lean ground beef, bison or turkey

6 whole raw jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt*

1 cup (4 ounces) grated reduced fat cheddar or Colby Jack cheese*

1/4 cup finely chopped leeks or green onions

3/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking oil. Set aside.

Brown the ground meat in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until all the meat is browned. Set aside.

Cut the jalapeno peppers in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the seeds and membrane.

In a medium bowl, mix together the cooked meat, yogurt, cheese, leeks, bell pepper and the spices. Divide the meat & cheese mixture evenly, using a spoon, to fill the inside of the pepper halves.

Place the filled peppers on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or just until heated through and golden on top. 

For each serving, add 1 cup of lettuce to a plate and drizzle 1 tablespoon of dressing over the top. Add 4 pepper halves to the plate. Makes 2 to 3 servings.

*If you are not following a lower fat meal plan, you may use full fat yogurt and cheese.

Each serving of 6 pepper halves equals: 0.9 lean, 3 green & 1 1/8 condiments

Each serving of 4 pepper halves equals: 2/3 lean, 2 green & 3/4 condiment ~ To make a complete Lean & Green meal add 1 cup salad lettuce topped with 1 1/3 ounces low fat cheese, 2 ounces cooked chicken breast or 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons dressing over the salad. 4 pepper halves with a small salad equals 1 lean, 3 green & 1 3/4 condiments.

Nutritional info for 4 pepper halves, approximately: 198.4 calories ~ 5.56 grams fat ~ 11.6 grams carbs ~ 9 grams net carbs ~ 25 grams protein

Nutritional info for 6 pepper halves, approximately: 297.6 calories ~ 8.35 grams fat ~ 17.5 grams carbs ~ 13.65 grams net carbs ~ 37.6 grams protein

Nutritional info for 1 pepper half, approximately: 49.6 calories ~ 1.39 grams fat ~ 2.9 grams carbs ~ 2.27 grams net carbs ~ 6.26 grams protein

Note: I ate 6 of these for my dinner and served 2 to the rest of the family as a side to their meals. Everyone loved them!