The Almighty Capsicum – A healthy stuffed pepper recipe

More commonly known as bell peppers, Capsicums are actually fruit that are quite often mistaken for vegetables. But call them what you will, they are worth incorporating into a healthy diet. This stuffed bell pepper recipe makes that a breeze. Full of a variety of good for you foods, these roasted bell peppers lay a slightly sweet foundation for what they contain. But, here is why you seriously need to eat more of these delightful fruits.

The Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are rife with a multitude of vitamins and minerals. They are one the richest sources of vitamin C, with one red pepper providing more than 160% of the RDA. They also contain vitamin B6, K1, Potassium and Folate. Capsicums are also rich in antioxidants. Bell peppers are also very good at protecting eye health and the prevention of anemia. They are also thought to reduce the risk of several other chronic illnesses.

Print Recipe

Roasted Stuffed Pepper

Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

American

Servings

pepper

Ingredients

• 1 large bell pepper I prefer to use ripe red or orange peppers
• 1 cup quinoa cooked according to package directions
• 1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup fresh corn kernels
• 1/4 cup precooked diced chicken omit if you prefer vegetarian and add more beans for protein
• 1/2 small tomato finely diced
• 1 tbsp finely diced red onion
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese If desired
• 1/2 tsp olive oil

Course Main Dish Cuisine American Servings pepper Ingredients 1 large bell pepper I prefer to use ripe red or orange peppers 1 cup quinoa cooked according to package directions 1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained 1/4 cup fresh corn kernels 1/4 cup precooked diced chicken omit if you prefer vegetarian and add more beans for protein 1/2 small tomato finely diced 1 tbsp finely diced red onion 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese If desired 1/2 tsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° Remove the top of the pepper and de-seed it.
2. Combine the next seven ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Gently stuff the quinoa mix into the pepper.
3. Replace the pepper top and coat the pepper with the olive oil
4. Roast until heated through and charred.

Green Verses Red Bell Peppers

Usually cheaper than their red and yellow counterparts, green bell peppers are actually unripe. They also have a slightly bitter flavor than the more colorful varieties. The red bell peppers actually contain more of the vitamins and minerals we previously spoke about. The green peppers contain more of essential amino acids and the yellow more of all amino acids. This makes the case that there is no valuable reason to select one more than the other, so I recommend you consume all. Mix it up to keep it interesting. I am more inclined to use the green peppers when I am cooking them and the colorful red and yellow peppers when I am eating them raw.