Peruvian Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with Quinoa and Egg
A comforting Peruvian-inspired dish featuring piquillo peppers stuffed with a savory quinoa, egg, and seasonal vegetable filling, gently poached to meld flavors. A protein-balanced, weeknight-friendly recipe that highlights poaching, a gentle cooking technique, and uses seasonal produce for freshness.
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Overview
This Peruvian stuffed piquillo peppers recipe combines tender roasted peppers with a wholesome filling of quinoa, eggs, and vibrant seasonal vegetables. The filling is gently poached inside the peppers, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while maintaining a delicate texture. This dish is perfect as a nutritious entrée for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Why you’ll love it
- Balanced protein and fiber from quinoa and eggs.
- Bright, fresh flavors from seasonal vegetables.
- Gentle poaching preserves delicate textures and enhances taste.
- Freezable and easy to prepare ahead.
Ingredient notes
Piquillo peppers: Sweet, mild, and easily available roasted piquillo peppers make the perfect vessel for stuffing. You can substitute with roasted red bell peppers if needed.
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Quinoa: Use tri-color or white quinoa for a fluffy texture. Rinse before cooking to remove bitterness.
Eggs: Lightly beaten, they bind the filling and add richness.
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Seasonal vegetables: Finely diced zucchini and bell peppers add freshness and texture. Adjust according to what is available.
Serving & storage
Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of aji amarillo sauce for authentic Peruvian flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. These peppers freeze well; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
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Chef tips
- Rinse quinoa well to remove bitterness and improve texture.
- Poach gently at low heat to avoid breaking delicate peppers.
- Use a wide, shallow pan for even poaching.
- For a vegan version, substitute beaten eggs with a chickpea flour batter or silken tofu mixture.
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 cup)quinoa, rinsed
- 4 largeeggs, beaten
- 8piquillo peppers, drained if jarred
- 100 g (1 medium)zucchini, finely diced
- 80 g (1 medium)red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 smallonion, finely chopped
- 2 clovesgarlic, minced
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 500 ml (2 cups)vegetable broth or water
- 1 tspground cumin
- 1 tspsmoked paprika
- saltto taste
- black pepperto taste
- fresh parsley or cilantrofor garnish
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Equipment
- medium saucepan
- mixing bowl
- frying pan
- poaching pan or deep skillet with lid
- spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
Nutrition per serving
- Calories280
- Protein14 g
- Carbs32 g
- Fat8 g
Step-by-step
Step 1
Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh sieve to remove its natural bitter coating.Step 2
In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and liquid absorbed, about 15 minutes.Step 3
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.Step 4
Add minced garlic, diced zucchini, and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté until vegetables are tender but still vibrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in cumin and smoked paprika, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.Step 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, and beaten eggs. Mix well to evenly distribute.Step 6
Stuff each piquillo pepper gently with the quinoa mixture, filling them generously but without overstuffing to avoid splitting.Step 7
Pour the remaining 100 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable broth into a wide poaching pan or deep skillet. Arrange stuffed peppers standing up in the pan so they are partially submerged in broth.Step 8
Cover the pan and poach the stuffed peppers gently over low heat for 5 minutes, allowing the eggs to set and flavors to meld. Avoid boiling to prevent bursting the peppers.Step 9
Carefully remove the peppers from the poaching liquid. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve warm.
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