Stuffed peppers

Stuffed Peppers – a classic recipe that brings together enticing flavors and aromas, evoking family memories and festive meals. This dish is not only delicious but also versatile, and today I will show you how to prepare it step by step, so you can impress anyone who sits at your table.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 70 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

- 12 bell peppers (preferably small and uniform)
- 500 g ground turkey (or pork, according to preferences)
- 2 tablespoons rice
- 1 egg
- 2 medium onions
- 1 large carrot
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 500 ml broth (or water, depending on preferences)
- 200 ml oil (sunflower or olive)
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 bunch of fresh dill
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- 1 sprig of thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Knorr vegetable cube (or other preferred seasoning)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream (for serving)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the peppers: Start by cleaning the peppers of stems and seeds. It is important to choose peppers of similar size for even cooking. Blanch them for 2-3 minutes in boiling water. After blanching, leave them with the opening down on a towel or in a colander to drain well.

2. Preparing the filling: Finely chop the onion and grate the carrot. In a deep pan, heat 200 ml of oil and add the onion. Sauté the onion over medium heat until it becomes translucent, then add the grated carrot. Let the mixture sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. Adding rice and meat: After the onion and carrot have sautéed, add the washed rice. Mix well and let everything sauté together for another 3-4 minutes. Then, incorporate the ground meat, chopped herbs (dill and parsley), salt, pepper, and the beaten egg. Mix everything well and remove from heat.

4. Stuffing the peppers: Use a spoon or spatula to fill each pepper with the meat mixture. Do not overfill, as the rice will expand during cooking. Place the stuffed peppers in a large pot.

5. Preparing the sauce: Slice the two tomatoes thinly to use as a "lid" for the peppers. Place the tomato slices on top of the stuffed peppers. Add the sprig of thyme, bay leaf, and fill the pot with water up to the level of the peppers. Boil over medium heat for about 40 minutes.

6. Finalizing the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the flour with the tomato paste. Gradually add the boiling juice from the peppers, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the Knorr cube and mix well. Pour this mixture over the peppers in the pot and let it boil for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.

7. Serving: The stuffed peppers are ready! Serve them warm, drizzled with the sauce from the pot, alongside a spoonful of sour cream. This dish is perfect for a festive meal or a family lunch.

Useful tips:

- To prevent the peppers from cracking during cooking, you can prick them with a toothpick before boiling.
- For a spicier version, add some finely chopped hot peppers to the filling.
- If you don’t have time to cook them on the stove, you can bake them in the oven in a covered dish at 180°C for about 45 minutes, occasionally drizzling with the sauce formed.
- I recommend serving them with a fresh cucumber or tomato salad to balance the rich taste of the stuffed peppers.

Nutritional benefits:

- Turkey meat is an excellent source of lean protein, rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Peppers are full of antioxidants and vitamin C, making them very healthy.
- Rice provides complex carbohydrates, offering long-lasting energy.

Calories: A serving of stuffed peppers contains approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It is an excellent choice for a hearty and healthy lunch.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all you have to do is put on your kitchen apron and get to work! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 12 bell peppers, 500g ground turkey, 2 tablespoons rice, 1 egg, 2 onions, 1 carrot, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 500ml broth, 200ml oil, 2 tomatoes, 1 tablespoon flour, fresh dill, fresh parsley, 1 sprig of fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 cube of vegetable bouillon, salt, pepper, sour cream (for serving)