Instant Pot Burrito Bowl Stuffed Peppers

• 4 medium to large bell peppers ((red, orange, or yellow))
• 1½ cup cooked brown rice ((can substitute another cooked grain of choice))
• 4 clove garlic, (crushed)
• ½ cup sweet corn
• 1 can black beans, (drained and rinsed)
• 1 tsp EACH: ground chili powder, (onion powder, cumin, and paprika)
• 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp agave nectar ((or organic cane sugar))
• ½ cup salsa of choice, (plus more for serving)
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup Vegan Mexican Cheese Sauce ((recipe below, or store-bought shredded vegan cheese))
• 1 lime, (juiced)
• Chopped cilantro for serving
• 1 cup (~120g) raw cashews, soaked in water overnight (or soaked in boiling water for 1 hour; soak overnight if you don’t have a high-powered blender)
• ½ cup (~112g) vegan unsweetened plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp water or vegetable broth
• ½ cup (~120g) salsa of choice, (I used this one)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together the cooked brown rice, garlic, black beans, corn, spices, nutritional yeast, agave, salsa, salt and pepper. Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings accordingly.
2. Cut off the top parts of each bell pepper and remove the membranes and seeds. Fill each pepper with the rice filling, but do not overstuff.
3. Pour 1/2 cup of water in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place the stuffed peppers on top of a steamer rack and place inside the inner pot.
4. Secure the lid and select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting at high pressure and reduce the cook time to 5 or 6 minutes (use 5 minutes for medium peppers, 6 minutes for larger peppers).
5. Once the timer is done, perform a quick pressure release by switching the Pressure Release knob from Sealing to Venting.
6. Open the lid and spoon some of the Vegan Cheese Sauce or shredded vegan cheese on top of each stuffed pepper. Close the lid for 2 minutes to heat up the cheese. Or, transfer the cheese-topped peppers to an ovenproof dish and place under your oven’s broiler for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.
7. Sprinkle on some lime juice and chopped cilantro. Serve with salsa of choice.
8. Drain the soaked cashews and pat dry. Add the cashews, along with the remaining cheese sauce ingredients, to a high-powered blender (or food processor). Blend until thick, creamy, and smooth. The sauce should be quite thick and creamy. Taste for seasonings.