STUFFED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES “YEMISTA” - STAVROS' KITCHEN - GREEK AND CYPRIOT CUISINE

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Cottage cheese provides a lower-fat option while maintaining creaminess.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

zucchini

🥗Healthier: yellow squash

💰Cheaper: cucumbers

Yellow squash is similar in texture and flavor.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Bulgur is often more affordable and cooks quickly.

Place olive oil in a pan and heat it up.

Add chopped onions to the pan and fry until translucent.

Add ground meat to the pan and fry until the color is no longer pink.

Add tomato paste, cinnamon, mint, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture and mix well.

Add rice to the pan, cover it, and let it cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and mix in chopped parsley, then let it stand until ready to use.

Prepare the bell peppers by cutting the tops off but not removing them completely, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

Prepare the tomatoes by cutting the tops off and removing the seeds and insides with a spoon, keeping the tops for later use.

Fill the prepared bell peppers and tomatoes with the meat and rice mixture, leaving some space for the rice to expand.

If there are gaps in the baking dish, fill them with chopped sweet potatoes.

Prepare the sauce by finely chopping part of the tomatoes and mixing them with garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and five tablespoons of olive oil.

Cover the stuffed vegetables with the sauce mixture.

Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Bake the stuffed vegetables in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil and check the vegetables for doneness with a knife.

If they are not soft enough, return them to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.

During cooking, baste the vegetables with the juices to prevent them from drying out.

Cook until the vegetables are golden brown and tender, which may take up to 2 hours total.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens