Tomatoes Stuffed With Spiced Lamb And Rice Food

TOMATOES STUFFED WITH LAMB AND RICE (YEMISTES DOMATES ME RIZI)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the top off of the tomatoes and clean out all of the pulp, leaving a 1/2-inch thick skin. Reserve the pulp. In a medium saute pan, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until the onions are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, reserved tomato pulp, and rice, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the lamb, pine nuts, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and continue cooking until lamb is browned.
• Fill the tomatoes with the lamb mixture, sprinkle the tops with cheese, and drizzle with the remaining 4 teaspoons of olive oil. Place in a 9-by 13-inch baking dish. Pour water in the bottom of the dish and bake for 1 hour. Serve warm.

TOMATOES STUFFED WITH LAMB AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cut the tops off the tomatoes to form the lids, and set to one side. Carefully scoop out the seeds and jelly of the tomatoes with a teaspoon and set aside.
• Heat up the oil in a smallish saucepan. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook a further minute.
• Add the lamb mince and cook until lightly browned.
• Add the pine-nuts, reserved tomato flesh and breadcrumbs. Cook a further minute or 2 until the mixture is well combined. Add some water to the mixture if it's cooking too quickly.
• Place the tomatoes in shallow baking dish. Spoon the lamb mixture into each tomato, ensuring that they're firmly stuffed.
• Place the lids on top of the tomatoes and push down on top of the mixture.
• Cover with foil and bake in a moderate oven for 20-30 minutes.

GREEK LAMB STUFFED BELL PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Slice tops from tomatoes and peppers and clean, save them.
• Remove pulp from tomatoes and reserve.
• Put tops in baking dish and place veggies on top of them (keeps them from burning).
• Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon sugar in each.
• Heat 1/2 cup butter in large frying pan and saute onion till transparent.
• Add meat and stir.
• Add rice, spices**, and 1 cup tomato pulp (mashed).
• Cover and cook 15 mins, allow to cool.
• Mix breadcrumbs into meat mixture.
• Fill vegs and remainder of tomato pulp (mashed) on top of stuffing.
• Pour tomato sauce and enough water to bring fluid level to 1/2.
• Bake in oven at 350 deg for 2-1/2 hours.
• Check periodically to see that water hasn't dried up in pan, add more water if needed.
• ** 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.