Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Move over meat, Stuffing a bell pepper with quinoa
helps you sneak in whole grain goodness into your meal.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
4 large red, green or yellow bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 package (10 oz) fresh chopped spinach
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
In small nonstick skillet, toast almonds over medium heat,
stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly toasted.
Tip onto a plate and let cool.
In 2-quart saucepan, heat water and salt to boiling.
Place quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer;
rinse under cold running water 2 minutes.
Stir quinoa into boiling water.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes
or until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
Uncover and set aside.
Fill 5-quart saucepan or Dutch oven
half full with water; heat to boiling.
Cut off and reserve tops of peppers.
Remove seeds and ribs.
Add peppers and tops to boiling water;
cook 5 minutes. Drain.
In same saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
Add onion; cook and stir 6 minutes
or until onions are golden brown.
Stir in garlic. Remove 2 tablespoons of onion mixture; set aside.
Add spinach to saucepan; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes
or until wilted and any water evaporates.
Remove saucepan from heat. Stir feta, currants,
almonds and quinoa into spinach mixture.
Arrange peppers in shallow baking dish.
Spoon stuffing into peppers, mounding to fill; replace tops.
Add 1/2 inch of water to the baking dish.
Cover loosely with foil.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until peppers are tender.
Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan,
stir together tomatoes (with juice),
tomato paste, Italian seasoning and the
reserved 2 tablespoons onion mixture.
Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover
and simmer 30 minutes or until thickened.
Spoon sauce onto plates; top with peppers.