How to make smoky quinoa stuffed peppers with sheep's cheese

Smoky quinoa stuffed peppers with sheep’s cheese

Quinoa is a seed first cultivated in South America that comes in three varieties: white, red and black – they each give a different flavour and look to dishes. Quinoa’s low-key, slightly nutty taste absorbs spices well.

Depending on the size of your peppers, you might have a little of the quinoa leftover to use in lunchbox salads.

Serves 2

2 large or 3 smaller red peppers, cut in half lengthways, seeds and membranes removed
3 tbsp sunflower or light olive oil, for roasting and frying
1 onion, finely chopped
100g quinoa
1 garlic clove, finely chopped or crushed
¼–½ tsp smoked paprika, depending on taste
400g tin chopped tomatoes, or use ripe, diced fresh tomatoes, peeled if you prefer
150g feta
Small bunch of parsley, finely chopped
Salt and pepper

Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Put the peppers in a baking dish, toss with a little oil to coat, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes, depending on size, while you make the filling.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onion. Fry on a low heat for 10 minutes, stirring now and then to stop it catching. Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa well in a sieve under cold water. After the 10 minutes, add the garlic and quinoa to the onion.

Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the smoked paprika, tomatoes and half a tinful of water. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the pan to a low boil, then cook for 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Keep a good eye on the liquid and the heat; you want the quinoa to absorb the liquid so you’re left at the end with a risotto-like consistency, but not for the pan to boil dry – add a splash more water if needed.

Once the quinoa has cooked, remove from the heat. Take the peppers out of the oven, fill their cavities with the quinoa mixture and return them to the oven for 5 minutes to warm through. Remove the dish from the oven. Divide the peppers between serving plates, crumble over some of the cheese and scatter over the parsley.

Recipe from Riverford.co.uk