Stuffed peppers with cous cous

17/11/2023

Stuffed peppers with cous cous are a flavorful and colorful dish that can serve as an excellent side or a vegetarian main course. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

4 large peppers (red, yellow, or green, according to preference)
200 g of pre-cooked cous cous
250 ml of vegetable broth
1 zucchini
1 carrot
1 small onion
100 g of feta or fresh cheese (optional for a vegan version)
A handful of pitted black olives (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Spices to taste (for example: cumin, coriander, paprika)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
Wash the peppers, cut off the tops and remove the seeds and white parts inside. Set aside both the peppers and the tops.
Place the cous cous in a bowl and cover with the boiling vegetable broth. Cover with a lid or a cloth and let it rest for about 5 minutes until it absorbs all the liquid.
Meanwhile, finely chop the onion, zucchini, and carrot. In a pan, sauté the onion in extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent. Add the chopped vegetables and cook for about 5-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Fluff the cous cous with a fork and mix it with the sautéed vegetables. Add the crumbled feta (if using), chopped olives, and parsley. Adjust the seasoning and spices to your liking.
Stuff the peppers with the cous cous mixture, pressing down slightly to compact the filling.
Replace the tops on the stuffed peppers and place them in a baking dish. Drizzle the peppers and tops with a stream of oil and bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the filling is slightly golden.

Did you know?

Stuffed peppers are a classic of Mediterranean cuisine, and they are prepared in many variations. The cous cous stuffing is a modern interpretation that brings with it North African flavors, thanks to the typical spices. Moreover, this dish is perfect for those looking for a substantial but light meal, and is easily adaptable to personal tastes and dietary needs.