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    Home » Recipes » Holidays and Entertaining

    Chickpea and Quinoa Salad in Sweet Pepper Boats

    Published: Dec 19, 2013 · Updated: Apr 7, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    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
    • ½ 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.

    Quinoa and chickpea-stuffed bell peppers recipe

    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.

    Quinoa and chickpea-stuffed bell peppers

    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!

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Vegan Christmas Cookies
    • Vegan Hummingbird Cake
    • Vegan Pina Colada
    • Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Osborn says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:02 am

      Beautiful colors----already has my mouth watering to try it! Yummmm.

    2. Beverly says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:03 am

      Yum!

    3. Amy says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:06 am

      Just started cooking with quinoa and really enjoy it. Can't wait to try this recipe!

    4. Trish says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:08 am

      This sounds yummy! I love the combo of Chick Peas and Quinoa!

    5. Justine M. Vickers says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:10 am

      Hmmmmm....this looks delicious! I must make this on my day off!

    6. Amy says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:11 am

      Sounds delish!

    7. Jean Hayes says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:12 am

      These look beautiful and delicious. I would probably leave out the oil and add some vinegar, but gorgeous!

    8. Kathy Cultice says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:13 am

      This sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it!

    9. Barbara says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:14 am

      I 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!

    10. Lori says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Great recipe! Hope I win!

    11. Vicki says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:22 am

      Must try this soon!!

    12. Lisanne says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:23 am

      Looks Great!! Wonderful dish for anytime 🙂

    13. Emilly says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:27 am

      This looks good.

    14. Samantha says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:31 am

      So colorful! Sounds delicious!

    15. JoAnn says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:35 am

      Looks good!

    16. phyllisha says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:36 am

      Wonderful way to use quinoa.

    17. Tim says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:40 am

      I love the Jazzy Vegetarian! Thisrecipe looks fantastic!

    18. Linda Scherer says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:43 am

      always love stuffed peppers

    19. Lisa says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:43 am

      My husband would love this! 🙂

    20. Janelle Humphreys says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:46 am

      I love trying these recipes.

    21. Heather Williams-McKenzie says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:46 am

      I 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!

    22. susan says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:48 am

      Love this recipe and jazzy vegetarian!

    23. Debbie Johnson says

      December 30, 2013 at 10:50 am

      I very recently started the "Eat to Live" healthy eating program and I will definitely be
      trying these with my family because they look delicious!!!!

    24. Alison L. says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:00 am

      This 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! 🙂

    25. Freeda says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:01 am

      I'm making this one today!!!

    26. Lucinda says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:11 am

      Sounds delicious. I just discovered quinoa - yay!

    27. Allison says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:13 am

      I 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.

    28. Nava says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:15 am

      Allison, 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/

    29. Vinny's Mom says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:17 am

      Kalamata love!!! And lemon zest? AND garlic? It's like you know me & want me to be happy!

    30. Caitlin says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:19 am

      Yum I cannot wait to make this!

    31. Heather Koch says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:23 am

      This does look really yummy and seems like something i would try.

    32. Laura says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:25 am

      Sounds yummy! Can't wait to try it!!

    33. Teddi Keefer says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:38 am

      Ohhhhh Looks great!

    34. Amy says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:45 am

      Looks divine!

    35. Trisha Schnatterly says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:46 am

      Thank you for another great recipe!

    36. robbie thomas says

      December 30, 2013 at 11:51 am

      Beautiful colors.with beautiful flavors to match. Can't wait to try it Yummy

    37. chris reed says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:05 pm

      Mmmm............................ love stuffed peppers!!!!

    38. tye block says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:08 pm

      This looks like a wonderful addition to my New Years meal of black-eyed peas and greens!YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    39. Sherry Farley says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:15 pm

      This looks wonderful!

    40. Vicki says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:19 pm

      I 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!

    41. Terri Cole says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:25 pm

      Wow, that looks really good!

    42. nancy says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:36 pm

      Chickpeas are a favorite of mine 🙂

    43. Lori says

      December 30, 2013 at 12:42 pm

      I 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.

    44. mnemonica says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      I'll be trying this whether I win or not (but I hope I win).

    45. Lizzie Crowl says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:06 pm

      Perfect for dinner tonight's Meatless Monday celebration.

    46. Cherie says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      This sounds SO good. I just might make this for lunch today. 😉

    47. Sandra says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:18 pm

      Yummy. Always looking for new quinoa recipes and love chickpeas so its a winner!

    48. Millie says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:20 pm

      Love new recipes for Quinoa, thanks.

    49. Norma Romero says

      December 30, 2013 at 1:29 pm

      Quinoa is so good and healthy for us!!

    50. Alex says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      I just did the recepie. Instead of the basil I used parsley.. It is delicious!!!

    51. Es says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      Yummie!! Must try this! May even be making it for nice snack on New Year's Eve ...

    52. Jamie Lee says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:29 pm

      I love Laura and her show The Jazzy Vegetarian! As always, this looks delicious!

    53. Name *Kari says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      I love to watch her show on PBS!

    54. Kate C says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:39 pm

      This looks delicious and easy!

    55. Tami says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:39 pm

      This is definately one I will try!

    56. Jamie Wilkinson says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      This dish looks absolutely beautiful and relatively easy to make. I can hardly wait to try it.

    57. Donna says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      Love the colors and the healthy choice!

    58. Marci says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      This looks amazing. I love her show!

    59. Randy says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      This looks delicious!

    60. Chelsea says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      This sounds so good!!

    61. Nicole mauer says

      December 30, 2013 at 2:55 pm

      Entering contest. And saving recipe !!

    62. Natalie says

      December 30, 2013 at 3:08 pm

      I love all of Laura's recipes! She makes this lifestyle so accessible to everyone!

    63. Raechell says

      December 30, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      I 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.

    64. Heather says

      December 30, 2013 at 3:24 pm

      Delicious looking, colorful meal! Can't wait to cook it up. And it would be awesome to win that cookbook. 😉

    65. Terri says

      December 30, 2013 at 4:10 pm

      looks good can't wait to try, loved the show on PBS

    66. Ernest Mason says

      December 30, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      I'm going to give this a try!

    67. Chuck says

      December 30, 2013 at 5:33 pm

      Love chickpeas

    68. Rhiannon Rees says

      December 30, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      Looks delish! Would love to win this book!

    69. faye clark says

      December 30, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      Yummm! Adding peppers to this wks grocery list !

    70. Kate says

      December 30, 2013 at 6:13 pm

      Looks delicious! Can't wait to try it in summer!

    71. Gwen says

      December 30, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      I'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.

    72. june says

      December 31, 2013 at 12:46 am

      This looks so good!!! Love quinoa and chickpeas!!!

    73. Loren says

      December 31, 2013 at 12:52 am

      Yum! This looks so good! I'll have to try it.

    74. Lorretta says

      December 31, 2013 at 2:40 am

      Sounds yummy, definitely will try.

    75. Lynn f says

      December 31, 2013 at 6:48 am

      Oh my this looks wonderful. I see this in my near future.

    76. Carrie Bello says

      December 31, 2013 at 7:45 am

      This salad looks yummy! Am so excited for 2014 to really work on new recipes!

    77. Candyce C. Fleming says

      December 31, 2013 at 8:10 am

      I have made this and it is delicious! I have never had a Laura Theodore recipe fail me!

    78. Janet Basinger says

      December 31, 2013 at 9:23 am

      How do you pronounce quinoa? Is quinoa a complete protein? I would love to win this book! 🙂

    79. Nava says

      December 31, 2013 at 9:47 am

      Janet, it's pronounced KEEN-wa. And it is a complete protein, or nearly so.

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