Fiery Stuffed Poblanos
I love southwest-inspired cuisine, but the dishes are often unhealthy. As a dietitian, I try to come up with nutritious twists on recipes, which is how these stuffed peppers were born.
Ingredients
- 8 poblano peppers
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ancho chile pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, divided
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
Directions
- Broil peppers 3 in. from heat until skins blister, about 5 minutes. With tongs, rotate peppers a quarter turn. Broil and rotate until all sides are blistered and blackened. Immediately place peppers in a large bowl; cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, coarsely mash beans; set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, cook and stir zucchini and onion until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add corn, tomatoes, rice, seasonings and beans. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375°. Peel charred skins from poblanos and discard. Cut a lengthwise slit through each pepper, leaving stem intact; discard membranes and seeds. Spoon 2/3 cup filling into each pepper.
- Place peppers in a 13×9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake until heated through, 18-22 minutes, sprinkling with green onions and remaining cheese during last 5 minutes of baking. Serve with sour cream.
Editor’s Note
Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.
Nutrition Facts
1 stuffed pepper: 223 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 579mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
