1 small sweet onion

2 cups water

2 dried serrano peppers -- stems removed

1 teaspoon virgin olive oil

1/2 cup red bell pepper -- strips

1/2 cup chopped mushrooms -- fresh

6 ounces turkey breast, ground -- crumbled

1 tablespoon madeira -- or dry sherry

1/2 cup stewed tomatoes -- roughly chopped

2 tablespoons low sodium chili sauce -- or catsup

1/2 cup lowfat chicken broth -- low salt

1 clove minced garlic

**Pinches of Seasonings: fennel seeds -- crushed 1/8 teaspoon rubbed sage -- or more

1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

dried mint flakes -- pinch 6 drops hot sauce -- to taste

2 tablespoons minced parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

--x-- 1 large red bell pepper -- cored for stuffing

1 large yellow bell pepper -- cored for stuffing

--x-- 1 cup cooked white rice -- chilled

1 cup cooked navy beans -- rinsed and drained

1 pinch grated orange rind -- optional

1 cup shredded cabbage -- napa or savoy

--for the SAUCE: 1 can stewed red ripe tomatoes -- Italian seasoned

1/4 cup mild picante sauce -- Pace(tm)

--x-- Four crowns -- or 16 ounces broccoli -- steamed

Cut an 'x' into both ends of the onion. Place in a wok. Cover with water (about 2 cups) and bring to a boil; boil 3 to 4 minutes with one end down, then flip, and boil 2 to 3 minutes on the other. Remove the onion to a collander and cool under cold water. Reserve the onion water in a bowl with a spout. Put the dried chili peppers in that hot water and set aside.

Chop the onion. Dry wok with paper toweling; heat oil in wok; saute mushrooms, bell pepper, and onion over medium to medium-high until mushrooms are soft and fragrant. Add the ground turkey to the wok's center, crumble and stir fry until no longer pink. Increase heat; add madeira and deglaze. Add tomatoes, chili sauce or catsup, and broth. Bring to a gentle boil. Add garlic. Reduce heat and add seasonings.

Add about 12 fennel seeds, and pinches of sage, rosemary and mint leaves. Add hot pepper sauce, to taste. Then stir in parsley and cilantro; the rice and beans. Add optional orange zest. Moisten with some of the reserved onion water, as desired.

Steam the peppers until crisp tender (7 to 10 minutes depending on microwave or steamer). Test after 5 minutes; do not let them get too soft.

Preheat oven to 375F. Layer a small casserole with shredded cabbage (Chinese, napa or savoy). Stuff each pepper and stand upright in the casserole. Distribute the leftover stuffing around the peppers. Bake covered for 15 minutes. Bake uncovered for 10 mins.

SAUCE: Put the two sauce ingredients in the wok. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, medium-low and simmer (15 minutes). If the sauce reduces too much, thin with remaining onion water. Optional: put the serrano chilies in the sauce.

Serve: plate half a pepper, 1 crown broccoli and some sauce. Have extra shredded cabbage on hand.

MC estimates 332 cals, 5.5 g fat, 14.0% CFF. Use low-salt stewed tomatoes. Delightful tongue teaser! The cilantro is not a distinctive element; instead it blends or balances with the other flavors. Could be served to guests: prepare ahead.

Inspired by a photo iof Bob Wiseman's "Basque-Style Stuffed Peppers" in Healthy Southwestern Cooking (1995: ISBN 0-87358-618-2). His version used lamb, beer, pimientos, more wine, flour, crumbs and more tomatoes sauce, baked on the stove top in a dutch oven.

PANTRY: Papaya-Habanero Hot Sauce with Passion or other southwestern or Latin American sauces. *One Mayan or two Cipolline, Pearl, Shallots, etc. * Small navy beans cooked in a small amount of onion, orange peel, and thyme. * Jasmine rice blended well.

from patH (phannema@wizard.ucr.edu) to eat-lf 4/25/97