Stuffed Capsicum (Γεμιστά) – Greek Comfort Food at Its Best!

ground meat

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Canned beans provide protein at a lower cost.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast adds flavor without dairy.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is less expensive for cooking.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Bulgur is a budget-friendly grain alternative.

Cut up the filling ingredients: 1 leek, 4 carrots, 4 garlic cloves, 2 onions, and 2 spring onions.

Place all the chopped vegetables into a pot.

Add 1 cup of rice and drizzle olive oil over the vegetables.

Put the pot on high heat. If desired, boil potatoes until partially soft, then strain and allow to cool.

Cook the vegetables on high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add hot water from the kettle to the pot and a jar of tomato; mix for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Leave the vegetable mixture on the stove for 15 to 20 minutes on medium heat until the rice is nearly ready.

Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

Clean the capsicum and tomatoes by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds and fillings.

Chop herbs: a bundle of parsley and a bundle of dill, removing large stalks to avoid bitterness.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).

Once the filling has cooled, add parsley, dill, 2 tablespoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of dried fennel seeds (optional), 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and black pepper to the mixture; combine well.

Stuff the capsicum and tomatoes with the filling, placing the lids back on top.

If using potatoes, place them in the gaps around the capsicum and tomatoes.

Drizzle olive oil over the stuffed capsicum and tomatoes.

Mix 2 tablespoons of tomato paste with 1/2 cup of water in a jar, shake well, and drizzle on top of the stuffed vegetables.

Cover the dish and place it in the oven at 180°C (356°F) for 2 to 3 hours, checking every hour for doneness.

Taste test to ensure the rice is cooked; if not, continue cooking until done.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: