Cheesy Polenta-Stuffed Baby Sweet Peppers

Ingredients

• 1 3/4cups water
• 3/4cup stone-ground cornmeal
• 3/4cup cold water
• 3/4teaspoon salt
• 1/2cup shredded provolone cheese (2 ounces)
• 1/2teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
• 1pound miniature red, yellow, and/or orange sweet peppers (20 to 22 peppers)
• 123 ounce jar (about 2-1/2 cups) chunky tomato-base pasta sauce
• 1tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 18 ounce package frozen artichoke hearts
• 8ounces fresh cremini mushrooms, halved if large
• Finely shredded Parmesan cheese(optional)
• Snipped fresh basil (optional)

• Directions

  1. For polenta, in a medium saucepan bring the 1-3/4 cups water to boiling. Meanwhile, in a small bowl stir together cornmeal, the 3/4 cup cold water, and salt. Slowly add cornmeal mixture to boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture returns to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook about 20 minutes or until mixture is very thick, stirring frequently and adjusting heat as necessary to maintain a slow boil. Stir in provolone cheese and Italian seasoning. Transfer mixture to an ungreased 2-quart square baking dish. Cool for 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cut a lengthwise slit in one side of each sweet pepper. Spoon out and discard seeds, leaving stems intact. Spoon polenta into a decorating bag. (Or spoon into a heavy resealable plastic bag; snip a small hole in one corner of the bag.) Pipe polenta into peppers (some polenta may remain exposed).
  3. In a 6-quart slow cooker combine pasta sauce and vinegar. Stir in frozen artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Gently stir in stuffed peppers.
  4. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 hours. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered, on warm- or low-heat setting for up to 2 hours. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and/or basil.