Tag: sunflower seeds

Perfectly Plump Peppers: Roasted Quinoa and Veggie Stuffed Peppers!

Pepper Perfection! My favorite pepper creation so far! Try this recipe!
Pepper Perfection! My favorite pepper creation so far! Try this recipe!

Packed with superfood quinoa and vitamins and minerals, these stuffed peppers maximize on taste and are super healthy! The kids love to eat out of the pepper bowl and then eat the pepper! So cute!
Roasted Quinoa and Veggie Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
6 bell peppers, any color!
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
6 basil leaves, chopped
5 Yelo tomatoes

I chose these at the produce market because the package states "youth, energy, life" Yep, they got me at youth!
I chose these at the produce market because the package states “youth, energy, life” Yep, they got me at youth!

Ingredients (cont.)
1 handful of spinach
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of uncooked quinoa and 2 cups of water on medium heat with a lid. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and cover. Let stand 15 minutes The quinoa will absorb the water.

Quinoa recipe- 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 2 cups water!
Quinoa recipe- 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 2 cups water!

Wash, cut the tops off of the peppers and clean out the seeds and white insides.

Place the hollowed peppers upside down on a Pam coated cookie sheet and roast for 25-30 mins or until peppers are softened and browning.

The peppers will soften but at the same time brown, if that makes sense. Here is the "look ." If you overcook they will turn to mush and be impossible to stuff. Error on less time if you are worried.
The peppers will soften but at the same time brown, if that makes sense. Here is the “look .” If you overcook they will turn to mush and be impossible to stuff. Error on less time if you are worried.

Meanwhile, in a frying pan heat the olive oil low to medium heat and add garlic and onions.

When the onions start to become transparent, add the quinoa and sunflower seeds.

The seeds and quinoa get a nice toasted , nutty taste.
The seeds and quinoa get a nice toasted , nutty taste.

Turn up the heat and toast the quinoa and seeds a bit, while constantly stirring.

Add tomatoes, basil and spinach and mix well.

Mix mozzarella and parmesan together to create a cheese mixture.

Fill the peppers with layers of the quinoa mixture and cheese mixture. Ending with quinoa mixture on top.

Fill them up! Don't be shy!
Fill them up! Don’t be shy!

Bake for another 5-8 minutes.

Toasted roasted perfection! So many beautiful textures and colors!
Toasted roasted perfection! So many beautiful textures and colors!
Always top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese! Enjoy!!
Always top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese! Enjoy!!

Ciao!

 

 

 

 

Sautéed Broccoli- A Grilled Entrée’s Perfect Side Dish!!

Nothing beats grilling outside in the warm air! Yay, it’s that time of year again!! I have been grilling for the past few weeks and trying new Spring side dishes!

This sauté is amazing !  The sunflowers add a nutty flavor to the mix!
This sauté is amazing ! The sunflower seeds add a nutty flavor to the mix!

Have you ever tried cooking with sunflower seeds? Like pine nuts, sunflower seeds have incredible health benefits! They are a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!

Here is one of my family’s favorites!

Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!
Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!

 

Sautéed Broccoli with Sunflower Seeds

Ingredients:
1 lb. broccoli, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves pressed
1 small onion chopped
1/4 cup raw, shelled sunflower seeds
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Warm oil over low/medium heat.
Add garlic and stir. Be careful not to burn! No brown!

I think I use garlic in every recipe!!
I think I use garlic in every recipe!!

Add onions and cook until tender.
Add broccoli and sunflower seed.
Mix well to coat all.

Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don't want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.
Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don’t want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.

Add sunflower seeds salt and pepper to taste and mix well again.
Let it cook 10 minutes or until broccoli is hot but crisp!
Serve with your favorite grilled entree! Enjoy!

Ciao!