Poppin’ Jalapeño Beef Stuffed Peppers

• In a small pot, combine rice, 11⁄4 cups water (21⁄4 cups for 4 servings), and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. • Keep covered off heat until ready to use in Step 5.

• While rice cooks, place bell peppers on a baking sheet and drizzle each half with oil; rub to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange cut sides down. • Roast on top rack until browned and softened, 15-18 minutes.

• Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large, preferably ovenproof, pan over medium-high heat. Add pork* and season with Southwest Spice Blend, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. • Stir in stock concentrates, cream cheese, and 1/3 cup water (1⁄2 cup for 4 servings). Reduce heat to medium low and cook until mixture has slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes.

Swap in beef* or turkey* for pork.

• Fluff rice with a fork; stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings). • Stir rice and half the pickled jalapeños and their liquid into pan with filling until thoroughly combined; season with salt and pepper to taste. • Once bell peppers are done, remove from oven. Carefully flip and stuff pepper halves with as much filling as will fit (save the rest for serving). • Transfer stuffed peppers to pan with remaining filling. (If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer stuffed peppers and remaining filling to a baking dish now.) Evenly sprinkle with cheddar. Bake on top rack until cheese melts, 4-5 minutes.