ELFfigy, Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers

What do elves at the North Pole do after Santa's gone and all of their work is done for the year?

They make Elffigies of themselves, of course!

What is an Elffigy, you ask?

It's a dish made by these handy elves to look just like themselves.

Why? Why not!

All of the toys are made and the shop is cleaned up so the next best thing is....

Dinner!!! (Elf style, that is)

Elffigy

Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers

1/2 lb Sweet Italian Sausage

1/2 lb Hot Italian Sausage

1/2 Large onion, chopped

1 Tbsp Butter

1/2 cup Instant Rice

1 can Diced Tomatoes (15 oz)

1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella

1/2 cup Shredded Parmigiano  Regiano

a few sprigs Fresh Oregano (about 2-3 tablespoons)

Peppers for stuffing

(I used 5 or 6 Hungarian Hot Peppers and a small bag of Sweet Peppers)

Fresh Oregano (for garnishing)

Peppercorns (for eyes)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Gather your peppers.
Choose the most elfish looking ones.

 Slice the ends off so they stand upright.

Remove ribs and seeds using an apple corer.

Over medium high heat, melt butter in a frying pan. Add onions. Sprinkle a little salt over them (a pinch) and let them brown.

Mix together the sweet and hot Italian sausage, the instant rice and the grilled onions.

This is your filling.

 Fill each pepper with the Italian sausage.

You may need to use a wooden skewer or a chopstick to help get the meat to the very tips of the elf hats.
Use peppercorns for eyeballs.

Mix the Parmesan and mozzarella.

In a glass baking dish, empty the can of diced tomatoes.

Sprinkle fresh oregano over it.

Dip the elves into the cheese.

Carefully stand your elves upright.

 Place in a hot oven and let bake for one hour.

Serve the elves with a bit of the diced tomatoes and a fresh sprig of oregano.

Arrange a little extra mozzarella for a cute elfish beard.

Let the elves lay down.

Or stand them up.

You can even dress them up with oregano bow ties.

But the best place of all for them is...in your belly!

Elffigy, a stuffed pepper that even Santa himself might have to eat.

(after all of those cookies, of course)

Ho ho ho!!!!!!

Merry Christmas, friends!!!