Name: Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup red quinoa; Extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound lean ground turkey; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 clove minced garlic; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper; ¼ cup white wine; 2 large red bell peppers; 2 large green bell peppers; 2 cups lightly packed stemmed and julienned kale leaves; ¼ cup toasted pepitas; 1 ½ cups finely ground panko breadcrumbs; ¼ cup grated Parmesan; Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Sauce, recipe follows, for garnish; Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish; 6 medium tomatillos (about 8 ounces), husked; Olive oil; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced; 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced; ½ jalapeno, coarsely chopped and seeds removed; ½ sweet onion, like Maui or Vidallia, rough chopped; Juice of 1 lime; 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves

Cook Time

1h 15 min

Yields

4 servings

This recipe for quinoa and ground turkey stuffed peppers is a healthy riff on an old standard.

ingredients

Quinoa

cups low-sodium chicken broth

cup red quinoa

Peppers

Extra-virgin olive oil

pound lean ground turkey

teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

clove minced garlic

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

cup white wine

large red bell peppers

large green bell peppers

cups lightly packed stemmed and julienned kale leaves

cup toasted pepitas

1 ½

cups finely ground panko breadcrumbs

cup grated Parmesan

Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Sauce, recipe follows, for garnish

Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish

Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Sauce

medium tomatillos (about 8 ounces), husked

Olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

teaspoon ground cumin

ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced

clove garlic, peeled and minced

jalapeno, coarsely chopped and seeds removed

sweet onion, like Maui or Vidallia, rough chopped

Juice of 1 lime

handful fresh cilantro leaves

Ingredient Substitution Guide

directions

Step 1

Over medium-high heat, bring the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. As the broth is coming to boil, add the quinoa, then stir and cover. Reduce the heat to a simmer and steam the quinoa until the grains pop, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 3

For the peppers: Set a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and add the turkey, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until well browned, 5 to 7 minutes, while stirring with a wooden spoon and breaking up the pieces. Deglaze with the wine. While the turkey is browning, rinse the peppers and pat dry. With the pepper lying down on its side, cut off the top and remove the seeds and membrane. Repeat for the remaining peppers. Leave the stem on the top for presentation. Set aside.

Step 4

Once the turkey is browned, shut off the heat and fold in the quinoa, kale and pepitas. Mix to incorporate all ingredients thoroughly. Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if required.

Step 5

In a small mixing bowl, combine the panko and Parmesan. Add a drizzle of olive oil to lightly moisten and season with salt and pepper. Set the peppers on a roasting tray cut-side up and stuff each with about 1/3 cup of filling. Top each pepper half with about 2 tablespoons of panko-Parmesan topping. Cover loosely with foil, place in the center of the oven and bake for 15 minutes. When the peppers are tender and cooked through, remove the foil and turn on the broiler. Cook under the broiler to brown the panko breadcrumbs and crisp up, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the peppers from the oven and allow to rest before serving.

Step 6

To present, place 1/4 cup of Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Sauce on a plate and place the roasted, stuffed pepper halves in the middle of sauce. Garnish with parsley sprigs.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 8

Place the tomatillos onto a baking sheet. Toss the tomatillos with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and place into the oven. Roast until nicely charred, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Step 9

Combine the tomatillos, 1/4 cup water, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, avocado, garlic, jalapenos, onions, lime juice and cilantro in a blender and puree until completely smooth. Place in the refrigerator and allow the sauce to settle before serving, so it is smooth.

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