Beef Ham Stuffed Bell Peppers

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This is the way my mom always made stuffed peppers. I don't cook the meat before stuffing. The sauce has a smoky flavor. if you don't have any ground ham, you can add a ham hock, ham shank, or ham bone to the pot for extra flavor.

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Steps

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Combine meat , eggs , rice , onion , salt and pepper.

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Set aside.

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Cut peppers in half and seed.

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Stuff meat mixture into peppers and drop into sauce.

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Sauce: make a roux with oil and flour and cook over medium heat until brown but not burnt.

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Add 1 small can tomato paste and a quart of water.

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Stir with a whisk until sauce bubbles.

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Add bay leafs.

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Drop peppers into sauce.

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Cook , covered , at slow simmer on stovetop for 1-1 1 / 2 hr , or bake in covered casserole 1- 1 / 2 hours.

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Add water if necessary.

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The rice will absorb water.

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Peppers should be covered with sauce , and peppers are done when rice is cooked.

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Ingredients

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ground beef, cooked ham, dried onion flakes, eggs, white rice, salt, black pepper, green peppers, tomato paste, water, bay leaves, bacon drippings, flour