Greek Lamb Stuffed Bell Peppers And Tomatoes

Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 4 large bell peppers
• 4 large tomatoes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
• 1/2 cup rice, parboiled (if instant don't parboil)
• 2 tablespoons greek mixed spice (mccormick makes one, see recipe if you can't find it)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup italian breadcrumbs
• 2 (29 ounce) cans tomato sauce

Recipe

• 1 slice tops from tomatoes and peppers and clean, save them.
• 2 remove pulp from tomatoes and reserve.
• 3 put tops in baking dish and place veggies on top of them (keeps them from burning).
• 4 sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon sugar in each.
• 5 heat 1/2 cup butter in large frying pan and saute onion till transparent.
• 6 add meat and stir.
• 7 add rice, spices**, and 1 cup tomato pulp (mashed).
• 8 cover and cook 15 mins, allow to cool.
• 9 mix breadcrumbs into meat mixture.
• 10 fill vegs and remainder of tomato pulp (mashed) on top of stuffing.
• 11 pour tomato sauce and enough water to bring fluid level to 1/2.
• 12 bake in oven at 350 deg for 2-1/2 hours.
• 13 check periodically to see that water hasn't dried up in pan, add more water if needed.
• 14 ** if you don't have greek spices combine 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon parsley, and 1 teaspoon mint. this will be close, adjust the parsley and mint to taste.