Recipe-o'-clock: Peruvian quinoa stuffed peppers
Peruvian quinoa stuffed peppers mix Peru's rich culinary traditions with quinoa's health benefits, offering a nutritious, flavorful vegetarian and eggless dish. Originating from the Andean region, quinoa has been essential in South American cuisine for thousands of years. This recipe adds a contemporary twist to traditional stuffed peppers by including black beans and corn, introducing a unique fusion flavor. Let's get cooking!
Gather the following ingredients
To prepare this dish, you'll need one cup of quinoa, four large bell peppers (any color), one can of black beans (drained and rinsed), one cup of corn kernels (fresh or frozen), half a cup of diced tomatoes, one teaspoon of cumin, one teaspoon of paprika, half a teaspoon of salt, one-quarter cup chopped cilantro, and one cup shredded cheese (optional for vegan version).
Prepare the quinoa
Rinse quinoa under cold water to remove its bitter coating. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa with two cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is completely absorbed. Remove from heat, let it sit covered for five minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Prep the peppers and filling
While the quinoa cooks, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the tops from the bell peppers, removing seeds and membranes. In a large bowl, mix the cooked quinoa with black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt and cilantro until well combined. This preparation ensures a flavorful filling for the peppers, ready for baking.
Stuff and bake peppers
Fill each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture evenly. Place stuffed peppers standing up in a baking dish. If using cheese, sprinkle it on top now. Pour about half an inch of water into the bottom of your baking dish to help steam peppers while they bake—cover tightly with foil. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until peppers are tender.
Serve and enjoy
Once the peppers are baked, let them cool slightly before serving. This cooling allows the flavors to meld together inside each pepper, enhancing the dish's taste. For an extra touch, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves or avocado slices. These additions not only bring freshness but also beautifully complement the flavors, adding visual appeal to each serving.
