Meatless Monday- Poblano “Unstuffed” Peppers

Chef’s Notes: SmithCale and I agreed that this was a perfect summer meal. It wasn’t too hot or chilled, but a delightful warm. We had to buy these peppers because our poblano plant decided to be a late bloomer, but great news: that plant has finally produced widdle peppers! Keep reading til the end to learn about SmithCale's swimsuit woes.

Plan of Attack:

1. Boil

2. Grill

3. Combine & “Stuff”

Ingredients for 2:

2 poblano peppers, tops removed and seeded

1 tsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ C pearl couscous

1 small yellow squash, sliced

½ C cooked red beans (about 1/3 C dried beans)

¼ C feta cheese

1/8 C sun-dried tomatoes, diced

4-5 leaves fresh basil, chopped

1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill pan to medium-high heat
2. Then heat olive oil in a skillet to medium-high heat, add garlic & couscous and lightly toast for about 2-3 minutes
3. Add 1 C water to the couscous mixture, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until couscous is done.
4. While couscous simmers: grill the poblanos and yellow squash for about 10 minutes turning occasionally until nicely charred.
5. Remove squash, dice and place in a bowl
6. To the squash bowl add cooked couscous mixture, beans, tomatoes, feta, basil, vinegar, salt and pepper
7. Split the poblano in half leaving the end intact and fill with ½ of the squash/couscous mixture; Repeat.
8. Enjoy!

*NEWS FLASH*

SELF-CONSCIENCIOUSNESS ISN'T JUST FOR LADIES

SmithCale, having started running, has lost about 2 pants sizes since February. It is now swimming season, and when you have to wear a belt JUST to hold up your swimtrunks: it's time for a new pair.

Set Scene: local sporting goods store

He tries on a 30, and this brand's size a little uncomfortable for his taste.

He goes back to the rack while I'm trying on sundresses to get what he thinks is a 32.

I continue to try on dresses (4 to be exact, only keeping one 30% off one).

5 minutes pass.

7:30 minutes pass.

After about 10 minutes, I ask if he's ok in there.

He laments that these feel even tighter.

He spends probably another 5 minutes alone in that quiet stall until he finally emerges, deflated by the loss.

Then he realizes something: he accidentally grabbed a 28.

With his dignity back in place, he grabs the right size, tries it on quickly and finally decides on a pair.

SmithCale now understands the pain of swimsuit shopping.

I avoid that pain by buying a simple $20, unflattering, boob-smashing, one-piece and calling it a day.

Food for Life,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time