Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

One of the easiest things to make and one of the best ways to convince your carnivore friends that eating plant-based is delicious … stuffed peppers, though traditionally are made with some kind of animal protein, are even better when it’s left out. Bake them, grill them, just make them! Here’s how:

STUFFED PEPPERS

• 4 bell peppers
• 1-2 cups cooked wild rice OR try quinoa or millet
• 3 cups chopped fresh spinach, cooked and drained
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• ¼ cup fresh parsley
• 1 cup Parmesan (vegan or not)
• Olive oil

Cook rice according to directions. Blanch spinach and drain completely so there’s no residual water. Sauté celery, mushrooms and garlic in a touch of olive oil for 10 minutes. Add cooked spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and use a large spoon to kind of “push” any extra liquid from the pan and strain the mixture. Put it in a large bowl, add pine nuts, parsley and Parmesan, and rice, mix together. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Brush peppers with a touch of olive oil. Place on tin foil and either place in oven for 10 minutes or grill, with lid closed on medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from grill or oven and stuff peppers with spinach mixture. Place back on grill (or into the oven) and cook for about 25 minutes. And that my friends, is all there is to it. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: My recipes are just that, mine. Some are modified versions of dishes we’ve had elsewhere or old-favorites that contained animal proteins that we replaced with plant-based options, while others are a concentrated effort of trial and error. But all are intended to be altered by you and made to suit your tastes. So if you want more garlic or none at all, go for it. You do you ; ) Now for the serious part … periodically this site does offer health, nutrition and exercise information. The information provided is not intended as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice given by a licensed physician or other health-care professional. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, consult your physician and never delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have read on this site. The use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.

Live consciously, love fiercely, and eat well.

-Shauna Gabriel