Stuffed Bell Peppers with Maltese Flavors

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers 4 large bell peppers
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground meat (beef or lamb) 500g (1.1 lb) ground meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 cup (200g) rice 1 cup (200g) rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable or chicken broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable or chicken broth

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. 4.
   Stuff each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, pressing it down gently to fill the peppers completely.
5. 5.
   Place the stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
6. 6.
   Pour the vegetable or chicken broth into the bottom of the baking dish.
7. 7.
   Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
8. 8.
   Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.
9. 9.
   Serve the stuffed bell peppers hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground meat — Choose lean ground meat for a healthier option. If using lamb, make sure to drain any excess fat after browning it.
• Rice — Rinse the rice before using to remove any excess starch and ensure a fluffy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, replace the ground meat with cooked lentils or chickpeas.
• Add a sprinkle of grated cheese on top of the stuffed peppers before baking for a cheesy twist.
• Serve the stuffed bell peppers with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
• Leftover stuffed bell peppers can be refrigerated and enjoyed as a cold salad the next day.

Serving advice

Serve the stuffed bell peppers as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. They can also be served as an appetizer or part of a buffet spread.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stuffed bell peppers on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or mint. The vibrant colors of the peppers will make for an eye-catching presentation.