Recipe

		Quinoa and Vegetable Stuffed Peppers
		Serving Size - 6
		Prepared By - DnD
		Recipe Rating * * * * *	Printer Friendly Recipe

1 cup quinoa

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

6 small bell peppers, mixed colors, seeded and halved

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 small firm eggplant, trimmed of half the skin, chopped

1 small to medium firm zucchini, seeded and chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 fresh Fresno chile pepper thinly sliced, or 1 teaspoon dried crushed pepper

1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, a handful, chopped

2 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring the quinoa and stock to a boil. Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the grain looks translucent, 12 to 15 minutes. Then fluff with a fork. You will have about 4 cups of cooked grain. Drizzle the bell pepper halves with extra virgin olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Roast cut-side down until the skins begin to char and the peppers are just tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temp, then arrange in a baking dish cut-side up. Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, eggplant, zucchini, onions and chiles, and season with salt and pepper. Cook partially covered to tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the herbs and tomatoes, and combine with the quinoa. Fill the pepper halves with the quinoa and vegetable stuffing and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal. To serve, roast in a 375 degree F oven until the peppers are hot through. Serve the pepper halves topped with lots of cheese crumbles.