Bell Peppers with Quinoa, Black Beans and Chickpeas

I was in the mood for stuffed peppers without meat.  After browsing several yummy-looking versions, I tried out this one but tweaked it of course... my version makes the peppers crunchier.  Enjoy!

Bell Peppers with Quinoa, Black Beans and Chickpeas
(adapted slightly from here)

2 cups water (or veggie broth for more taste)
1 cup quinoa
1 tsp garlic/herb mixture or garlic powder (opt)
8 bell peppers
1 can black beans, drained
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes (do not drain)
5 Tbsp olive oil (separate – 3 Tbsp + 2 Tbsp)
8 scallions, sliced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & ribs removed, diced
1 tsp basil
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder (or more if you like a little spicier)
½ tsp chipotle flakes (optional)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 tsp paprika
½ cup cilantro (separate – ¼ cup + ¼ cup)

1-2 Avocado, chopped (or homemade guacamole)

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Bring 2 cups water,1 cup quinoa  and 1 tsp garlic/herb mixture to a boil in a small saucepan.  Reduce heat to simmer, cover & cook about 12-15 min until water is absorbed.  Remove pan from heat & set aside.  While quinoa is cooking, slice off tops of peppers and take out seeds & ribs.  (save tops for another use).  Spray a 9” x 12” pan with cooking oil and put peppers into pan.  (if pepper doesn’t stand up flat, cut off just a little of the bottom so that it stands flat)

In small skillet, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil.  Add scallions, jalapeno & spices and sauté about 1 min, stirring. 

Add scallion mixture and quinoa to bowl along with beans, chickpeas, tomatoes and ¼ cilantro.  Mix well.  Stuff peppers.  Drizzle remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil on top.  Bake about 30 min.  Increase heat to 400 F and bake for another 15-20 min or until bell pepper is a little softer.

Serve with remaining cilantro & avocado (or guacamole).

Comments

[Tracey]

Thank you Ellen for this recipe. I am on a ten day juicing/smoothie detox fast,but will be making this soon.

[swanski]

Looks delicious and I love that it is meat free! Thank you

[Kristen]

Thanks for the recipe....Marianne is crazy about red peppers so I may give this a try with her in mind!

[Kim]

Looks delish! We love stuffing peppers here, such an easy, but filling dinner.

[Greer]

Ellen, the food you cook is amazing. Yum!

[steph]

yummmy!

[lori]

i'm going to make this tomorrow, it looks just delicious. thank you for the recipe ellen, i feel like i've gotten kind of complacent over cooking this summer.

[Lori]

Looks delicious, we're always looking for good meat-free dinners. Thanks!

[Katie]

Just a quick hello. Missing you in your space and I hope you and your family are well!