Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare some Delicious Peppers, stuffed with a light and healthy mixture of Flavorful Quinoa and fresh vegetables. This dish combines the softness of roasted peppers with the nutritional contribution of quinoa and vegetables that provide flavor and texture. Ideal for those looking for a complete and colorful vegetarian dish on the table.

Preparation time

These are the times you should consider when preparing quinoa stuffed peppers:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes
• Total: 45 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the peppers

• 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow or orange)

For the filling

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 zucchini, cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of sweet paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil, as needed
• Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

If you can't find quinoa, you can substitute it with couscous or brown rice, although these ingredients will slightly change the texture of the filling and may require adjusting the amount of liquid for cooking.

Utensils we will use

• Medium pot for cooking quinoa
• Large skillet for sautéing vegetables
• Baking sheet where we will place the bell peppers
• Knife and cutting board
• Spoon or spatula for mixing and filling

Preparation

1. Prepare the peppers

1. Wash the peppers: Wash thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt or pesticides.
2. Cut the tops: With a knife, cut the top off each pepper, reserving these tops, which you will later use to cover them.
3. Remove seeds: With your hand or a small spoon, remove the seeds and internal membranes, being careful not to break the pepper's exterior structure.
4. Place on tray: Place the empty peppers on the baking tray with the opening facing up, ready for the filling.

2. Cook the quinoa

1. Rinse the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine sieve to remove saponin, which can give it a bitter taste.
2. Cook: In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the quinoa and reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer.
3. Cooking time: Cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is white and fluffy.
4. Fluff: Remove from heat and use a fork to fluff the grains and prevent them from clumping.

3. Prepare the filling

1. Heat oil: Put a little olive oil in a large pan and heat it over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic: Add the chopped onion and garlic, cook until translucent and fragrant.
3. Add vegetables: Incorporate the grated carrot, diced zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, cooking for approximately 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Rest corn and spices: Add the corn, ground cumin, sweet paprika, salt and pepper to taste. Cook one more minute for the spices to release their aroma.
5. Incorporate quinoa: Add the already cooked quinoa and mix until everything is well combined and homogeneous.

4. Stuff and bake the peppers

1. Fill with mixture: Fill each pepper with the quinoa and vegetable mixture, pressing gently to compact the filling and prevent it from falling out.
2. Place lids: Place the reserved tops on each stuffed pepper to preserve its shape and moisture.
3. Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), place the peppers in and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the peppers are tender and lightly golden on the surface.

To finish and serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro to add freshness and color. Serve the hot peppers accompanied by a fresh salad, brown rice with vegetables, or toasted rustic bread that complements the texture and flavors of the Natural Fillings. This recipe is perfect for a balanced and flavorful meal.

5 tips to make your Quinoa Stuffed Peppers perfect

• Choose firm peppers: Make sure the peppers are fresh and unbruised so they maintain their shape when baked.
• Do not overfill: Compact the mixture well but without overfilling to prevent it from spilling or not cooking properly.
• Control the filling's moisture: If the mixture is dry, an extra drizzle of olive oil or vegetable broth helps maintain juiciness.
• Vary ingredients: Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to give intensity and new textures to the filling.
• Cook quinoa properly: Wash the quinoa well to avoid bitter flavors and fluff at the end for a lighter filling.

When is it ideal to enjoy Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Quinoa-stuffed peppers are a fantastic option for any time of year, especially when you're looking for a homemade, healthy, and colorful meal. They are ideal for a family lunch on weekends or for a light dinner during summer days, thanks to the freshness of the vegetables and the lightness of the quinoa. They also work perfectly for sharing at informal gatherings or vegetarian celebrations, providing Andean Flavors y Gourmet Peppers on your table.

Additional options and variations to adapt this recipe

• With cheese: Add feta cheese or grated mozzarella over each pepper before baking for a gratin texture and a creamier flavor.
• Spicy touch: Incorporate chili powder or chopped jalapeños into the quinoa mixture for a dish with a bit more personality.
• Crunchy texture: Add nuts such as sliced almonds or chopped walnuts for a very pleasant texture contrast.

This pepper base allows for as much creativity as you want, from trying varied vegetables in the mixture to accompanying with other light recipes such as a fresh surimi salad.

Nutritional Information per serving

• Calories: 200 kcal
• Proteins: 8 g
• Fats: 5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 8 g

These values are approximate and may vary depending on the size of the pepper and the exact quantities used.

Comparative table of Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with similar dishes

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Leave your comment and share your own tips with the Filled Delights! If you tried this quinoa stuffed peppers recipe, tell us how it turned out, what variations you made, or what other ingredients you paired it with. Every detail helps others to be encouraged to prepare it at home.

Culinary glossary for Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

• Quinoa: Small seed rich in protein and fiber widely used as a cereal for cooking.
• Fluff: Action of loosening cooked quinoa with a fork to give it a fluffy texture.
• Filling: To fill a hollow food, like a pepper, with a prepared mixture.
• Sauté: To cook ingredients in a pan with little oil over medium-high heat quickly.
• Cumin: Spice with a warm and earthy flavor, common in Mexican and Mediterranean dishes.