Brenda'S Real Sicilian Stuffed Bell Peppers - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 medium bell peppers, I like red best, but it is traditional to use green
1 lb ground veal or 1 lb lean ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumb
1/2 cup green onion, sliced
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated finely. Fresh is best
1 medium onion, halved and sliced thinly
1/4 lb mozzarella cheese, cut in cubes
1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, broken up with a fork and including juice
3 -4 medium waxy potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks. In Sicily they use yellow flesh potatoes, but red skinned is fine
1/2 cup black olives, Italian style, pitted and sliced. (optional)
1/4 lb button mushroom (optional)
1 teaspoon dry basil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided

Preparation

Wash and slice off the top of the peppers, making a cap. Reserve tops. Remove internal membranes and seeds.
Place peppers, open side up in medium roaster or deep baking dish. There must be room for the rest of the ingredients.
Blend gently with a fork, meat, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, green onions, 1/2 of the salt and 1/2 of the pepper or to taste.
In bottom of pepper, place a piece of mozzarella and a few pieces of onion.
Stuff the peppers with meat mixture and replace cap on each.
Note: if you have extra meat you can roll them into little meat balls to place on top of peppers.
Sprinkle the rest of the onion, potatoes, garlic, olives, mushrooms, on top of peppers. (also extra meatballs if you have any.).
Spoon tomatoes, with thier juice, over it all.
Season top with basil and remaining salt and pepper or to taste.
Cover and place in 350 F oven for 45 minutes.
Uncover and bake for another 45 minutes, keeping an eye on the liquid. You may have to add a little water if it appears to be too dry.
Try to move the veggies away from the edges once in a while so that they don't stick to the sides.
Plate and serve with a crusty bread.