Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers food - 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Dinner Plan to Aid Weight Loss food

Chipotle chiles, black beans, and pepper Jack cheese enhance the taste of these quinoa-stuffed peppers. To save time, we steam the peppers and use quick-cooking quinoa. Tri-colored quinoa adds visual appeal, but any variety will do. Ideally, select peppers that can stand upright.

Prep Time: 25 mins

Additional Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Nutrition Profile:

Egg Free Gluten-Free High-Protein Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian

Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers food - 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Dinner Plan to Aid Weight Loss food

Ingredients:

6 medium red, orange, and/or yellow bell peppers

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 2 cups)

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground cumin

¾ teaspoon chili powder

2 teaspoons minced chipotle chiles + 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from a can)

2 cups cooked tri-color quinoa

1 can (15 ounces) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed

1 can (14.5 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes

1 cup frozen corn

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups shredded pepper Jack cheese

Directions:

Step 1 :

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Trim the stem end of each bell pepper and chop the pepper tops to yield 1 cup. Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers. in a large saucepan with a steamer basket, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil. Add the peppers, cover, and steam for approximately 3 minutes, until they start to soften. Remove the peppers and set them aside.

Step 2 :

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and pepper tops. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, minced chipotle chiles, and adobo sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and add the cooked quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and salt. Mix until well combined.

Step 3 :

Stand the peppers upright in an 11-by-7-inch baking dish (trim the bottoms if needed to keep the peppers upright). Spoon approximately 1 cup of the quinoa mixture into each pepper, packing it tightly. Cover the stuffed peppers with foil.

Step 4 :

Bake the peppers in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded pepper Jack cheese evenly over the peppers. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese melts and slightly browns. Allow the peppers to rest for 5 minutes before serving.