Ingredients

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup red quinoa
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 2 large green bell peppers
  • 2 cups lightly packed stemmed and julienned kale leaves
  • 1/4 cup toasted pepitas
  • 1 1/2 cups finely ground panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Sauce, recipe follows, for garnish
  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish
  • 6 medium tomatillos (about 8 ounces), husked
  • Olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 jalapeno, coarsely chopped and seeds removed
  • 1/2 sweet onion, like Maui or Vidallia, rough chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • For the quinoa: Over medium-high heat, bring the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.
  • As the broth is coming to boil, add the quinoa, then stir and cover.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer and steam the quinoa until the grains pop, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Fluff with a fork.
  • For the peppers: Set a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil and add the turkey, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Cook until well browned, 5 to 7 minutes, while stirring with a wooden spoon and breaking up the pieces.
  • Deglaze with the wine.
  • While the turkey is browning, rinse the peppers and pat dry.
  • With the pepper lying down on its side, cut off the top and remove the seeds and membrane.
  • Repeat for the remaining peppers.
  • Leave the stem on the top for presentation.
  • Set aside.
  • Once the turkey is browned, shut off the heat and fold in the quinoa, kale and pepitas.
  • Mix to incorporate all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if required.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the panko and Parmesan.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil to lightly moisten and season with salt and pepper.
  • Set the peppers on a roasting tray cut-side up and stuff each with about 1/3 cup of filling.
  • Top each pepper half with about 2 tablespoons of panko-Parmesan topping.
  • Cover loosely with foil, place in the center of the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
  • When the peppers are tender and cooked through, remove the foil and turn on the broiler.
  • Cook under the broiler to brown the panko breadcrumbs and crisp up, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Remove the peppers from the oven and allow to rest before serving.
  • To present, place 1/4 cup of Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Sauce on a plate and place the roasted, stuffed pepper halves in the middle of sauce.
  • Garnish with parsley sprigs.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place the tomatillos onto a baking sheet.
  • Toss the tomatillos with olive oil.
  • Season with salt and pepper and place into the oven.
  • Roast until nicely charred, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  • Combine the tomatillos, 1/4 cup water, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, avocado, garlic, jalapenos, onions, lime juice and cilantro in a blender and puree until completely smooth.
  • Place in the refrigerator and allow the sauce to settle before serving, so it is smooth.