MINI TACO STUFFED PEPPERS WITH CILANTRO LIME CREAM SAUCE

Looking for something different to make for Cinco de Mayo?  We love our taco Tuesdays but we always love another excuse to make Mexican food.  This week we've had tacos, fish burritos, and now I've made these yummy Mini Taco Stuffed Peppers With Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce!

I'm waiting for the peppers in my garden so I did buy a bag of them but I do make variations of these all summer long with the peppers that I grow. I did grow the cilantro!!

Mini Taco Stuffed Peppers With Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce

Yields: approximately 32 servings

Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 package taco seasoning mix

¾ cup water

1-1/2 lbs mini bell peppers

1 cup shredded cheese

Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce

½ cup sour cream

½ cup fresh cilantro

½ teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Slice 1/3 of each pepper off lengthwise, reserving for later use. Remove seeds. Try to slice off the curvier side of the pepper, so the flatter side remains – making it easier to stay put while stuffing.

3. Dice the reserved peppers and set aside ¾ cup.

4. In a large skillet, cook beef and reserved ¾ cup diced peppers in medium high heat until beef is brown; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix and water. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let mixture slightly cool.

5. Fill each pepper as full as possible with the beef mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake peppers for 13-15 minutes.

6. While the peppers are baking, make the Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce. In a food processor, pulse the sour cream, cilantro garlic, and lime juice until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

7. Remove peppers from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

8. Place the Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce in a small plastic bag. Snip the corner off with scissors and drizzle the peppers with the sauce.

Notes: The peppers can be assembled in advance and placed in the oven when ready to bake. If time permits, make the Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce a day ahead of time to give the flavors more time to blend.

If you make these Mini Taco Stuffed Peppers With Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce please let me know how you like them!