These appealing bell pepper “boats” are filling enough to serve as a main dish for any festive meal. Perfectly portable, too, they make a wonderful picnic entree or a change of pace from sandwiches for a hearty lunch. Recipe contributed by Laura Theodore, from Jazzy Vegetarian Classics: Vegan Twists on American Family Favorites* © 2013 BenBella Books, reprinted by permission. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky.
Serves: 8 moderately; 4 larger servings
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed thoroughly and drained
- 2 cups filtered or spring water
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced and sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, plus more as needed
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus more as needed
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 4 large sweet red, yellow, or orange peppers, or a combination
- Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish (optional)
Put the quinoa and water in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Decrease the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 17 minutes, until all of the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
Transfer to a medium bowl. Let cool (see note). Put the cooled quinoa, chickpeas, parsley, tomatoes, and olives in a large bowl. Put the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, salt, and turmeric in a small bowl and whisk briskly until smooth. Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and stir gently to incorporate.
Taste and add more chili powder, salt, and/or olive oil if needed. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to let the flavors blend.
Right before serving, split the peppers in half lengthwise and seed them. Scoop the quinoa mixture into the pepper halves. Garnish with parsley, if using.
Note: The quinoa may be cooked up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 253 calories; 9.6g fat; 596.5mg sodium; 376.6mg potassium; 36.7g carbs; 5.8g fiber; 3g sugar; 6.6g protein
- Here are more quinoa recipes.
- Go to Picnic Pleasures for a complete picnic menu and tips.
*This post contains affiliate links. If the product is purchased by linking through this review, VegKitchen receives a modest commission, which helps maintain our site and helps it to continue growing!
79 Comments
Linda Osborn
December 30, 2013 at 10:02 amBeautiful colors—-already has my mouth watering to try it! Yummmm.
Beverly
December 30, 2013 at 10:03 amYum!
Amy
December 30, 2013 at 10:06 amJust started cooking with quinoa and really enjoy it. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Trish
December 30, 2013 at 10:08 amThis sounds yummy! I love the combo of Chick Peas and Quinoa!
Justine M. Vickers
December 30, 2013 at 10:10 amHmmmmm….this looks delicious! I must make this on my day off!
Amy
December 30, 2013 at 10:11 amSounds delish!
Jean Hayes
December 30, 2013 at 10:12 amThese look beautiful and delicious. I would probably leave out the oil and add some vinegar, but gorgeous!
Kathy Cultice
December 30, 2013 at 10:13 amThis sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
Barbara
December 30, 2013 at 10:14 amI can’t wait to try these. They look delicious! My Christmas dinner all came from recipes from your website (and book). Thank you for publishing such wonderful recipes!
Lori
December 30, 2013 at 10:17 amGreat recipe! Hope I win!
Vicki
December 30, 2013 at 10:22 amMust try this soon!!
Lisanne
December 30, 2013 at 10:23 amLooks Great!! Wonderful dish for anytime 🙂
Emilly
December 30, 2013 at 10:27 amThis looks good.
Samantha
December 30, 2013 at 10:31 amSo colorful! Sounds delicious!
JoAnn
December 30, 2013 at 10:35 amLooks good!
phyllisha
December 30, 2013 at 10:36 amWonderful way to use quinoa.
Tim
December 30, 2013 at 10:40 amI love the Jazzy Vegetarian! Thisrecipe looks fantastic!
Linda Scherer
December 30, 2013 at 10:43 amalways love stuffed peppers
Lisa
December 30, 2013 at 10:43 amMy husband would love this! 🙂
Janelle Humphreys
December 30, 2013 at 10:46 amI love trying these recipes.
Heather Williams-McKenzie
December 30, 2013 at 10:46 amI love the colors, and you could omit the peppers if you didn’t have them and serve as a grain salad. Looks like it would be great for school lunches!
susan
December 30, 2013 at 10:48 amLove this recipe and jazzy vegetarian!
Debbie Johnson
December 30, 2013 at 10:50 amI very recently started the “Eat to Live” healthy eating program and I will definitely be
trying these with my family because they look delicious!!!!
Alison L.
December 30, 2013 at 11:00 amThis looks like a delicious recipe…hope to try it soon! I recently discovered Laura’s show on Create and have my Tivo recording them. I’d love to have her book – much easier than trying to find the recipes online! 🙂
Freeda
December 30, 2013 at 11:01 amI’m making this one today!!!
Lucinda
December 30, 2013 at 11:11 amSounds delicious. I just discovered quinoa – yay!
Allison
December 30, 2013 at 11:13 amI know this sounds stupid but I have still not tried quiona I’m just a little on the nervous side on trying to cook it.
Nava
December 30, 2013 at 11:15 amAllison, there is no stupid, there’s just discovery and learning! Here is a brief guide to cooking and using quinoa. Fortunately it’s as easy as can be: http://www.vegkitchen.com/tips/we-love-quinoa/
Vinny's Mom
December 30, 2013 at 11:17 amKalamata love!!! And lemon zest? AND garlic? It’s like you know me & want me to be happy!
Caitlin
December 30, 2013 at 11:19 amYum I cannot wait to make this!
Heather Koch
December 30, 2013 at 11:23 amThis does look really yummy and seems like something i would try.
Laura
December 30, 2013 at 11:25 amSounds yummy! Can’t wait to try it!!
Teddi Keefer
December 30, 2013 at 11:38 amOhhhhh Looks great!
Amy
December 30, 2013 at 11:45 amLooks divine!
Trisha Schnatterly
December 30, 2013 at 11:46 amThank you for another great recipe!
robbie thomas
December 30, 2013 at 11:51 amBeautiful colors.with beautiful flavors to match. Can’t wait to try it Yummy
chris reed
December 30, 2013 at 12:05 pmMmmm………………………. love stuffed peppers!!!!
tye block
December 30, 2013 at 12:08 pmThis looks like a wonderful addition to my New Years meal of black-eyed peas and greens!YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sherry Farley
December 30, 2013 at 12:15 pmThis looks wonderful!
Vicki
December 30, 2013 at 12:19 pmI love this recipe! I have tried a few of the Jazzy Vegetarian recipes, so yummy! I love this site too! My friend sent me a recipe from here and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to like you guys on Facebook! I’ve been making lots of your recipes!
Terri Cole
December 30, 2013 at 12:25 pmWow, that looks really good!
nancy
December 30, 2013 at 12:36 pmChickpeas are a favorite of mine 🙂
Lori
December 30, 2013 at 12:42 pmI cook beans in a pressure cooker as part of my daily diet, and I have found chickpeas to be the most versatile. I’m definitely trying out this recipe.
mnemonica
December 30, 2013 at 1:00 pmI’ll be trying this whether I win or not (but I hope I win).
Lizzie Crowl
December 30, 2013 at 1:06 pmPerfect for dinner tonight’s Meatless Monday celebration.
Cherie
December 30, 2013 at 1:15 pmThis sounds SO good. I just might make this for lunch today. 😉
Sandra
December 30, 2013 at 1:18 pmYummy. Always looking for new quinoa recipes and love chickpeas so its a winner!
Millie
December 30, 2013 at 1:20 pmLove new recipes for Quinoa, thanks.
Norma Romero
December 30, 2013 at 1:29 pmQuinoa is so good and healthy for us!!
Alex
December 30, 2013 at 2:09 pmI just did the recepie. Instead of the basil I used parsley.. It is delicious!!!
Es
December 30, 2013 at 2:11 pmYummie!! Must try this! May even be making it for nice snack on New Year’s Eve …
Jamie Lee
December 30, 2013 at 2:29 pmI love Laura and her show The Jazzy Vegetarian! As always, this looks delicious!
Name *Kari
December 30, 2013 at 2:31 pmI love to watch her show on PBS!
Kate C
December 30, 2013 at 2:39 pmThis looks delicious and easy!
Tami
December 30, 2013 at 2:39 pmThis is definately one I will try!
Jamie Wilkinson
December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pmThis dish looks absolutely beautiful and relatively easy to make. I can hardly wait to try it.
Donna
December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pmLove the colors and the healthy choice!
Marci
December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pmThis looks amazing. I love her show!
Randy
December 30, 2013 at 2:44 pmThis looks delicious!
Chelsea
December 30, 2013 at 2:45 pmThis sounds so good!!
Nicole mauer
December 30, 2013 at 2:55 pmEntering contest. And saving recipe !!
Natalie
December 30, 2013 at 3:08 pmI love all of Laura’s recipes! She makes this lifestyle so accessible to everyone!
Raechell
December 30, 2013 at 3:22 pmI have a teenage vegetarian and am still learning how to make nutritious meals the whole family can enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity to win such an amazing cookbook to add to my kitchen.
Heather
December 30, 2013 at 3:24 pmDelicious looking, colorful meal! Can’t wait to cook it up. And it would be awesome to win that cookbook. 😉
Terri
December 30, 2013 at 4:10 pmlooks good can’t wait to try, loved the show on PBS
Ernest Mason
December 30, 2013 at 4:20 pmI’m going to give this a try!
Chuck
December 30, 2013 at 5:33 pmLove chickpeas
Rhiannon Rees
December 30, 2013 at 5:34 pmLooks delish! Would love to win this book!
faye clark
December 30, 2013 at 6:05 pmYummm! Adding peppers to this wks grocery list !
Kate
December 30, 2013 at 6:13 pmLooks delicious! Can’t wait to try it in summer!
Gwen
December 30, 2013 at 9:29 pmI’m so tired of all the Christmas goodies and this looks amazing! It combines a number of my favorite foods: quinoa, chick peas and peppers. I will definitely be trying this SOON! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
june
December 31, 2013 at 12:46 amThis looks so good!!! Love quinoa and chickpeas!!!
Loren
December 31, 2013 at 12:52 amYum! This looks so good! I’ll have to try it.
Lorretta
December 31, 2013 at 2:40 amSounds yummy, definitely will try.
Lynn f
December 31, 2013 at 6:48 amOh my this looks wonderful. I see this in my near future.
Carrie Bello
December 31, 2013 at 7:45 amThis salad looks yummy! Am so excited for 2014 to really work on new recipes!
Candyce C. Fleming
December 31, 2013 at 8:10 amI have made this and it is delicious! I have never had a Laura Theodore recipe fail me!
Janet Basinger
December 31, 2013 at 9:23 amHow do you pronounce quinoa? Is quinoa a complete protein? I would love to win this book! 🙂
Nava
December 31, 2013 at 9:47 amJanet, it’s pronounced KEEN-wa. And it is a complete protein, or nearly so.