Anirushkas

Stuffy Bell Peppers(Ukranian Recipe)

Ingredients:

For the Stuffed Peppers:

  • 6 bell peppers
  • 1 cup basmati rice (approx.)
  • 1 cup lentils (approx.)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • ½ head of cabbage, shredded
  • 150-200g tomatoes, chopped
  • 150-200g mushrooms, chopped
  • 1-2 chili peppers (optional, for spice)
  • Your favorite spices (chili powder, dried dill, etc.)
  • Oil (for frying)

For the Tomato Sauce:

  • 1-2 chili peppers, finely chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 400g blended tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • Water (enough to fill half the baking dish with the sauce)
  • Oil (for frying)

For Serving:

  • Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or dill)
  • Homemade mayonnaise or sour cream

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

  • Rinse the basmati rice and lentils. Boil them together in salted water until they are half-cooked. Drain and set aside.
  • In a pan, heat oil and sauté chopped chili peppers, onions, and grated carrots until soft.
  • Add mushrooms, shredded cabbage, and chopped tomatoes. Stir-fry until the vegetables are slightly softened.
  • Season with your favorite spices (chili powder, dried dill, salt, etc.) and remove from heat to cool slightly.
  • Once cooled, mix the fried vegetables with the cooked rice and lentils to create the stuffing.

Step 2: Prepare the Peppers

  • Carefully cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
  • Stuff each pepper with the prepared filling, pressing down gently to pack the mixture in.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

  • In a pan, heat oil and fry the chopped chili peppers.
  • Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
  • Pour in the blended tomatoes or tomato sauce and add water.
  • Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to develop its flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Stuffed Peppers

  • Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
  • Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and pour the prepared tomato sauce over them.
  • The sauce should cover about half or slightly less of the baking dish.
  • Bake for approximately 40 minutes until the peppers are tender and the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

  • When serving, cut the stuffed peppers in half and drizzle them with the sauce they were cooked in for extra juiciness.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with a dollop of homemade mayonnaise or sour cream.