By Heidi Sutton
These weeknight-friendly vegetarian stuffed peppers are packed with protein in the form of black beans and brown rice and loaded with sautéed onions, corn, and tomatoes. Loved by meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, this easy, healthy dinner is sure to spice up your week. Serve with garlic bread and an arugula salad.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Recipe from Milk Means More
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
6 large sweet bell peppers
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 1/2 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 + 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a rimmed half sheet pan with non-stick aluminum foil.
Slice the tops off of the sweet bell peppers. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and white membranes from the insides of the peppers. Discard the pepper tops and seeds. Place the peppers onto the prepared half sheet pan; briefly set aside. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir in tomatoes, corn, black beans and brown rice until combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the egg, then add in chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add veggie mixture to bowl and mix well. Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese into the filling bowl and mix until well combined. Stuff the open cavities of the sweet bell peppers tightly with filling, mounding a bit of the filling over the top edge of the peppers. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over top of the filling.
Bake the stuffed peppers for 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is heated through, the peppers soften, and the exteriors begin to wrinkle. Serve immediately.
Simple Arugula Salad
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
¾ cup Parmesan cheese shavings (about 1.5 ounces)*
1 small shallot
8 cups (5 ounces) baby arugula (do not use standard arugula, usually sold in bunches)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice + zest of ½ lemon
DIRECTIONS:
If necessary, shave the Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler. Thinly slice shallot. In large bowl, place the baby arugula, olive oil, lemon zest (optional), lemon juice, and kosher salt. Use your hands to toss everything so it’s evenly coated. Add the Parmesan shavings and shallot and toss for a few seconds until combined. Taste and add additional salt if desired.