Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice

Ingredients:

6 green bell peppers
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or chuck
1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice
Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional

Preparation:
Directions for stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice
Cut tops off peppers; remove seeds and membranes. Chop edible part of tops and set aside. Rinse
peppers under cold water. Place peppers in a large pot; cover with salted water. Bring to a boil;
reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain peppers and set aside.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Sauté chopped
green pepper (from tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables
are tender. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4
teaspoon of pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine egg with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and
Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato
mixture. Mix well. Stuff peppers with meat mixture and place in a 3-quart baking dish. Pour
remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers. Bake at 350° for 55 to 65 minutes. If
desired, top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before peppers are done;
bake until cheese is melted.
Recipe for stuffed peppers serves 6.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Stuffed-Peppers-4/Detail.aspx