From Alexandra Stafford.
Ingredients:
Bell peppers, halved and cored, leaving the stems intact (if you wish) 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for drizzling Kosher salt 1/2 cup quinoa 1 onion, finely diced 1 hot chili, optional, finely minced 1 or 2 zucchini, small diced, to yield about 2 cups 2 ears corn, kernels removed 1 cup diced tomato 6 scallions, finely sliced 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped to yield about a cup 12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cubed basil or chives, chopped finely, for garnish, optional lemon for garnish, optional
Preparation:
Heat the oven to 475 degrees.
Place peppers cut side down on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with oil. Season with salt. Transfer pan to the oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the peppers begin to blister. Remove from the oven. Turn peppers over. Set aside.
Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, and bring to a simmer. Add a big pinch of kosher salt. Cook quinoa 9-12 minutes or until the quinoa is done. Drain through a fine-mesh sieve. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. When it shimmers, add the diced onion and chili, immediately lower the heat to medium, season with a pinch of salt, and stir. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and begins turning translucent. Add the diced zucchini and cook for 2 minutes, just until the zucchini loses its rawness — you don’t want the zucchini to turn to mush; it’s nice when it has some texture here. Add the corn and cook for a minute more. Turn off the heat. Add the tomatoes, scallions, and cilantro. Add the quinoa and stir to combine. Taste. Add salt and pepper until it tastes well seasoned. Fold in the cubed Monterey Jack.
Spoon filling into the cavities of the peppers. Don’t be afraid to really, really pack them full — it’s OK if the filling is heaped in a mound in each pepper. These peppers are meant to feel substantial. You may have a little extra filling on hand; it’s delicious on its own. Save it for another day or eat it. Transfer peppers to the oven and cook for about 10 minutes more until the cheese begins melting and the vegetables begin browning. Remove from oven. Garnish with fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon, if you wish.