Jason, there was a TV chef named "Pasquale" several years ago who had a wonderful motto:
"If you like it, put it in! If you don't like it, don't put it in!"
I always have that running through my head when someone tells me I MUST use (love, have, keep) pretty much anything I have little interest in.
I used to feel forced into using green peppers until my wife and I started keeping company, she simply could not eat green ones, I then read something about the French masters feeling that the green ones were inedible, I have embraced red, yellow and orange peppers with great results! Exercise the "Pasquale" motto as you see fit, I do.
As to the substrate for the shredded beef, mashed potatoes are great, I am also quite fond of noodles which have been cooked in a seasoned "broth" with a sliced onion, some caraway seed and a bit of salt.
Enjoy!