Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers

This dish was healthy, flavorful, and pretty. When I saw this recipe on Pink Parsley, I knew immediately I was going to make it.  I absolutely loved the idea of a cornmeal stuffed pepper – the flavors are very similar to chile rellenos, but rather than stuffing the pepper with cheese, battering it, and frying it, this is baked in a delicious, spicy tomato sauce.  It also saves the step of roasting the poblano prior to stuffing, because the pepper becomes tender and roasted while the stuffing heats.  We both really liked this dish.  In the future, I think I will add a few tablespoons of lime juice to the stuffing for a little touch of citrus and acid or perhaps use grapefruit juice in place of the water.  Overall, though, this was a very hearty vegetarian main filled with big, bold flavors that I will certainly be making again.

Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Adapted from Pink Parsley

Sauce:

1 28 oz. can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes

1 jalapeño, deseeding and ribs removed, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves medium garlic, crushed with flat of knife and peeled

1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped, divided

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Combine tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, and garlic in a food processor.  Process until smooth.  Gently stir in half of cilantro (about 2-3 tbs.).  Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  Pour into a baking dish and use a spoon to cover evenly.

Stuffed Poblanos:

1/2 19 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup yellow cornmeal

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 1/2 cups pepperjack cheese, finely grated, divided

1/3 cup water

2 poblano peppers, halved lengthwise, deseeded with ribs removed

1/2 avocado, flesh removed from peel and mashed with a fork

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425°

In a medium bowl, combine beans, cornmeal, 1 cup cheese, remaining clove of minced garlic (from sauce part of recipe), cumin, cilantro, and the water.  Stir to combine.  If too loose, add slightly more cornmeal.

Evenly divide stuffing among peppers.  Lay, stuffing side up, in a single layer in the baking dish.  Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.  Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake 45 minutes or until poblanos are tender.  Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden brown.

Let sit 10-15 minutes before serving.  Serve over white rice with a dollop of smashed avocado.