Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Lydia Menzies

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Ingredients

  

• 4 yellow peppers
• 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
• 1 cup quinoa cooked using directions on package
• 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 tsp salt (more if needed)

Instructions

 

• Cook beef in skillet. Do not drain.
• Add cooked quinoa.
• Add shredded cheese and salt. Add more salt if desired.
• Wash peppers. Gently remove stems from peppers by cutting around stems. Remove seeds from inside the peppers. (Save stems to place back on top of peppers before serving.)
• Place peppers upside down in 1/2 inch to 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil and blanch peppers for about 3 minutes.
• Remove peppers from water. Stuff with quinoa mixture.
• Place stuffed peppers in an oven-safe dish (such as a Pyrex casserole dish with sides) and bake at 350 degrees (F) for 30 mins.
• Add saved stems to top of peppers. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

Each year for St. Patrick’s Day, I choose as many green fruits and vegetables as possible to serve for our family meal. I started it when our kids were very young and they would get to choose any green foods from the produce section of the grocery store. Being able to hop out of the cart and shop was exciting for a toddler, and so we always had so much fun seeing what new foods would come home with us. The kids would help me wash it, prep it, or cook it~  and then they were much more excited to eat it when it was time for dinner.  I have also made green appetizer platters in the past, and they are a big hit on St. Patrick’s Day… here is one I made last year. These make great after school snacks, too

To go with all of the green vegetables and fruits, and to make the meal complete, I like to add a “pot of gold”. A yellow pepper makes the perfect golden pot, and then we stuff our peppers with ground beef, quinoa, and cheese. These pots of gold would also be great with a meal that has lots of colors from the rainbow.

These are pretty and pretty quick to make!

For a centerpiece idea, try this all green centerpiece.

For another appetizer idea, try these fresh cucumber sandwiches.

My daughter always requests broccoli cheese cornbread for an all-green meal.

You could also add infused water to the menu.

See this idea for a rainbow dessert.

Wishing all the luck this St. Patrick’s Day and beyond!

Cheers,

Lydia xo