By RichardObradovic | Balkan | May 10, 2025
🥬 Light yet comforting, these stuffed peppers are filled with herbed rice and simmered in a savory tomato sauce — perfect for plant-based meals or fasting days.
For the filling:
🌶️ 6 bell peppers (medium, tops removed, seeds cleaned)
🍚 200g rice (short or medium grain)
🧅 1 onion, finely chopped
🥕 1 carrot, grated
🧄 2 garlic cloves, minced
🫑 ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
🌿 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, oregano or parsley)
🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste
🛢️ 3 tbsp oil
For the sauce:
🍅 400ml tomato sauce or passata
💧 200ml water
🧂 Salt to taste
🌿 1 bay leaf (optional)
🛢️ 1 tbsp oil
1. 🧅 Sauté onion in oil until soft. Add garlic, carrot, and diced pepper. Cook a few minutes.
2. 🍚 Stir in uncooked rice, herbs, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. 🌶️ Fill each pepper with the rice mixture (not all the way to the top — rice expands).
4. 🍅 In a separate bowl, combine tomato sauce, water, salt, bay leaf, and oil.
5. 🫕 Place stuffed peppers in a pot upright. Pour sauce around them.
6. 🔥 Simmer covered on low for 45–60 minutes, or until rice and peppers are tender.
7. ❄️ Let rest 10 minutes before serving.