Ottijiet - Maltese Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients

• 6 bell peppers (assorted colors) 6 bell peppers (assorted colors)
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground beef 250g (8.8 oz) ground beef
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground lamb 250g (8.8 oz) ground 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 oregano, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 34g, 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.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, rice, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, cumin, paprika, 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.
5. 5.
   Place the stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
6. 6.
   Pour the vegetable 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 Ottijiet hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and lamb — Make sure to use lean ground meat for a healthier option. If desired, you can substitute the lamb with additional ground beef.
• Rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly before using to remove excess starch and ensure a fluffy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with a mixture of cooked quinoa, chopped vegetables, and feta cheese.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile of the filling.
• Serve Ottijiet with a side of fresh salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Leftover Ottijiet can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify.

Serving advice

Serve Ottijiet as a main course accompanied by a side of mixed greens or a fresh tomato salad. The vibrant colors of the stuffed bell peppers make for an appealing presentation.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Ottijiet on a platter, garnished with sprigs of fresh parsley. The colorful bell peppers and the savory filling will create an eye-catching display.