These stuffed peppers are loaded with heart and brain-friendly nutrients and fiber. Despite that quinoa is technically a seed instead of a grain, like grains it still has a moderate glycemic load, potentially raising your blood sugar levels if eaten in excess. Fortunately adding beans with quinoa will help block that rise in blood sugar, and combined they provide a generous assortment of vitamins, minerals, and protein. This dish can be prepped in advance and just pop it in the oven 45 minutes prior to serving, making it a nice meal to share with company. Colorful bell peppers provide sweetness which is a treat, but if you are a bit more daring, poblanos add a whole extra flavor dimension—just be aware that poblanos vary from mildly sweet to fairly hot and spicy, and each poblano can vary in heat intensity.
Prep time: 15-20 minutes
Baking Time: 45 minutes Serves: Four
Ingredients:
½ cup Quinoa, rinsed, drained
½ cup Water
1 Tbsp Avocado oil
½ medium Sweet onion, diced
2 medium Celery stalks, diced
¼ tsp Sea salt
1 tsp Dried oregano
½ tsp Chili flakes
2 medium Plum tomatoes, chopped
2 Green onions, diced
¼ cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
2 (15-oz) cans Black beans, cooked, rinsed, drained
4 large Peppers (Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers; or poblano), slice in half, remove seeds and membranes
Garnish:
¼ cup Chopped walnuts (or pecans)
½ cup Organic gruyere cheese, grated (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° (F).
Combine quinoa and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, then remove from heat, and set aside.
Heat a sauté pan to medium-high heat. Add oil, then onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes until onion starts to soften. Add celery, salt, oregano, and chili flakes, and continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, until onions are translucent. Reduce heat to medium, add tomatoes and green onions, heat for another 2 minutes, stir in cilantro, black beans, and remove from heat.
After 12-15 minutes, stir quinoa; when done it should be fluffy with little pearly white sprouts extending, and be slightly al dente when tasting a bite. Mix quinoa in with vegetables.
Grease an ovenproof dish likely with avocado oil. Lay peppers in the dish and fill each pepper with black bean, quinoa and veggie mixture. Garnish with nut and cheese. Bake for 45 minutes and serve.
Enjoy,
Steven Masley, MD