Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Last night I made a variation of my stuffed peppers and was quite satisfied with the results, Quinoa Stuffed Peppers.  I have had quinoa sitting on my shelf for a while now and just hadn't gotten around to trying it although I had heard how amazingly healthy it was.  I admit I was a little nervous to try it but really, I almost didn't enough know it wasn't rice.  Its a keeper that's for sure.

Ingredients for 

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers (makes 4 stuffed peppers)

- 1/2 Cup uncooked, rinsed quinoa

- 1 handful fresh green beans

- 1 zucchini (quartered)

- 1/2-1 Tbsp dried onion flakes

- 1 quarter of a Turkey Sausage Link (or mushrooms)

- 1 Tomato (sliced into small pieces)

- 4  Bell Peppers (I prefer orange or yellow)

- 3-4 Tbsp of your favorite cheese (optional)

- 2 Tbsp of Craisins

Step 1.) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Bring 1 cup of water to boil, add your 1/2 cup of quinoa.  Bring it back to a boil and cover.  Turn down to medium heat and cook for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.  

Step 2.)  Slice up your green beans and zucchini.  Saute them them in a pan with a little bit of water over medium heat until your veggies are soft.  While these are cooking.  Slice up your turkey sausage link into small pieces.  When your veggies are soft add in your turkey sausage and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Step 3.)  Add the cooked quinoa, tomato, 1 Tbsp of cheese and Craisins to your veggie mixture. Turn your heat down to low.


Step 4.)  Slice off the bottom of your bell peppers just slightly so they will sit upright. Cut off the top of your pepper and hollow out the middle.  Place your bell peppers inside and 8 x 8 glass pan.

Step 5.)  Evenly distribute your quinoa/veggie mixture into the four peppers.  Sprinkle a little bit of cheese on top.

Step 6.)  Cook for 30 minutes or until bell peppers are soft.

 *Note that sometimes I will place my bell peppers in the oven for 10 minutes while my veggie mixture is cooking to help speed up the process.  Then I will put the mixture into the peppers and cook for another 15-20 minutes. *

 

There you have it Quinoa Stuffed Peppers!

If I have any of the leftover mixture I will just put it on the bottom of my glass pan.  It will give it just a slightly crunch texture and is so yummy.

What quinoa recipes have you tried?

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