Cook the quinoa:

Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water.

In a medium pot, add the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and water is absorbed.

Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool.

Prepare the vegetables:

While the quinoa cooks, dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion.

Slice the olives and crumble the feta cheese (if using).

Make the dressing:

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until well combined.

Assemble the salad:

In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

Serve:

Divide the salad into 4 servings and enjoy immediately, or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes for a refreshing cold salad.

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cook the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Prepare the Bell Peppers: While the quinoa is cooking, cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers in a baking dish, cut side up.

Make the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika (if using), olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until evenly mixed.

Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the quinoa mixture into each bell pepper, packing it tightly and mounding it on top.

Bake the Peppers: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the stuffed peppers for 25–30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender. For a slightly crispier top, remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.

Garnish and Serve: Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an added burst of freshness.