Stuffed Pepper Soup

OK, OK, I know I say this a lot, my fit and hungry friends, but I think this is my new FAVORITE recipe I have EVER MADE. OMG if you like stuffed peppers and you like soup you have to give this one a try! It was super easy to throw together, it’s VERY CLEAN and HEALTHY, pretty INEXPENSIVE, and PRETTY. Oh, and did I mention it’s DELICIOUS?!

HEADS UP!! I used barley as my grain, which needs to soak overnight. DON’T freak out; just put it in a pan/bowl on the counter before you go to bed, cover, and THAT’S IT. No time? Forgot? You could sub a nice brown/wild rice easily.

drizzle of olive oil for pan

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 small onion, chopped

2 small boneless pork loin chops, cut into bite-sized chunks

about 1/2 pound ground turkey or lean beef

1 large orange, red, or yellow bell pepper (or I used one each of the small sweet ones for extra color), cut into small chunks

3 large green peppers, cut into chunks

1 15.5 oz jar mild or medium salsa

1/2 cup barley (again, that you soaked overnight)

1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

32 oz. low sodium beef broth

a couple handfuls of fresh parsley, chopped (was maybe 1/4-1/3 cup?)

Drizzle bottom of large stock pot with a bit of oil. Add garlic and onion and cook several minutes. Add pork; stir and cook until all sides are no longer pink. Add ground turkey or beef and cook until all meat is browned. (Drain oil if need be.) Add all remaining ingredients to pot and mix. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low until the peppers are tender. I left mine on a couple of hours just because it was Saturday and this soup made the whole house AND YARD smell so amazing! I know you’re going to love this one. Please SHARE and ENJOY!