YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS)

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Make and share this Yemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h45m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

5 medium perfectly-ripe yummy tomatoes
5 medium green peppers
3/4 cup olive oil
13 tablespoons uncooked rice (really just a 'heaping' tablespoon per vegetable to be stuffed)
1 large onion, chopped fine (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced very fine
1/4 cup fresh spearmint, minced (1 1/2 tblsps dried, crumbled)
1/2 cup parsley, minced
1/2 cup pine nuts or 1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup kefalograviera cheese or 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, cut into tiny cubes
1/2 cup sultana raisin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cut off tops of tomatoes (retain tops) and carefully scoop out flesh (retain this as well).
  • Cut off tops of peppers (retain tops) and remove seeds and membrane.
  • Place tomatoes and peppers in a pan large enough to hold them comfortably and give each veg a tiny dash of sugar with the tips of your fingertips (I really think this is important!).
  • Take tomato flesh and process it until pureed.
  • Add olive oil, rice, onion, garlic, mint, parsley, nuts, cheese, sultanas, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper (or season to taste).
  • Stuff the vegetables evenly with this mixture.
  • Replace tops of tomatoes and peppers.
  • Combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup olive oil with a scant tablespoonful of tomato paste and a little salt and pepper and pour this around the veg.
  • Bake in a preheated 375F oven (180C) for approx 1 3/4 hours (vegetables should pierce easily and be slightly blackened in parts).
  • Turn off oven and leave in for another hour to'mellow' before serving.
  • This is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
  • It is wonderful eaten along with little bites of feta cheese and a cool glass of white or rose.
  • It will also have yummy juices begging to be mopped up with bits of crusty bread.
  • In my version, I also take 3-4 medium-sized potatoes, cut them into big wedges, toss in a little olive oil with salt and pepper to taste, and'plant' in the spaces amidst the vegetables.
  • That way you can have a couple of wedges of potato too.

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