Best 4 Yemista Greek Stuffed Peppers Recipes

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Yemista, meaning "stuffed" in Greek, is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines the goodness of bell peppers with a delectable filling. Originating in Greece, this dish has become a beloved culinary treasure, enjoyed by people worldwide. Yemista typically features a combination of rice, ground meat, herbs, and spices, all nestled within tender bell peppers. The peppers are then baked until they are soft and bursting with flavor, creating a satisfying and colorful meal. Whether served as a main course or as part of a meze platter, Yemista is sure to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant culinary landscapes of Greece.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS)



Yemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers) image

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.

GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS (YEMISTA)



Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers (Yemista) image

This is my favorite! The best time to make it is in August when the garden tomatoes are ready for harvest. Hothouse tomatoes are just not the same. My mom made this every year, and when she did, I thought I died and went to heaven. Enjoy!

Provided by Denise Phillips Sarigianopoulo

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 large ripe tomatoes
4 large green bell peppers
¼ cup butter
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced, or to taste
2 pounds ground beef chuck
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
½ cup water
1 ½ cups converted (parboiled) rice (such as Uncle Ben's®)
½ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Cut off tops of tomatoes, leaving 1 corner still attached to create a lid. Scoop insides of tomatoes and transfer 'meat' to a large bowl; squeeze juices out of tomatoes. Cut off tops of green peppers and reserve for later use; scoop out seeds and membranes. Arrange tomatoes and bell peppers in a 11x17-inch baking dish.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in the melted butter until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add ground chuck, soy sauce, seasoned salt, and black pepper to onion mixture; cook until ground chuck is browned and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Mix squeezed tomato meat and water into browned chuck; bring to a simmer, about 15 minutes. Add rice and bring to a boil; remove skillet from heat. Spoon beef-rice mixture into tomatoes; place tops onto filled tomatoes and arrange them into the baking dish with lid sides down.
  • Stuff bell peppers with beef-rice mixture and top with reserved lids; lay bell peppers sideways in the baking dish. Pour olive oil over stuffed tomatoes and bell peppers; season with salt and pepper.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn bell peppers and continue baking until bell peppers and tomatoes are softened, about 30 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.9 calories, Carbohydrate 28.5 g, Cholesterol 44.5 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 411.9 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED PEPPERS)



Yemista (Greek Stuffed Peppers) image

These peppers stuffed with a seasoned ground pork and rice mix are a Greek favourite. You can also use the pork mixture to stuff zucchini and baby eggplants. Serve with a green salad and crusty bread.

Provided by English_Rose

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 55m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 large bell peppers
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
3 1/2 ounces long grain rice
4 1/2 ounces ground pork
1 tablespoon of fresh mint, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 (14 ounce) can plum tomatoes
sliced potato (optional)
1 lemon, juice of
1/2 cup water

Steps:

  • Neatly cut the tops off the peppers and set the tops aside. Remove the membrane and seeds from the peppers and discard.
  • Heat 4 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy-based saucepan and fry the onion until it begins to colour. Stir in the rice and ground pork.
  • Add the herbs, cinnamon, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and the tomatoes.
  • Stir until the rice becomes transparent and the meat loses its redness.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F
  • Use the mixture to loosely fill the empty peppers.
  • Arrange the filled peppers snugly in a casserole dish (wedging some potato slices between them, if necessary, to keep them upright.)
  • Put the reserved pepper tops back on the peppers, like lids.
  • Combine the lemon juice, water and remaining oil and pour into the dish around the peppers.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked and hot.

YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES & PEPPERS)



YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES & PEPPERS) image

Categories     Cheese     Pepper     Potato     Tomato     Vegetable     Bake     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     High Fiber     Dinner     Healthy

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

5 ripe tomatoes (or 4 large)
5 medium green peppers (or 4 large)
dash of sugar for bottom of each tomato or pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
15 T rice (brown or white) (scant 1 cup)
1 large onion, chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, minced very fine
1 shallot, minced fine
3 medium mushrooms, chopped well
1/4 cup fresh mint, minced OR 1 1/2 T dried, crumbled
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup italian style breadcrumbs
1/2 cup hard cheese such as: mizithra, kefalograviera, or parmesan, cut into cubes
1/4 cup goat cheese (not feta), crumbled
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 1/2 cups broth, or water
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
4 medium potatoes, cut into wedges
salt & pepper, to taste
olive oil
block feta cheese, cut into slices

Steps:

  • Remove tops of tomatoes (retain tops) and carefully scoop out flesh (retain flesh of 2-3 tomatoes as well). Cut off tops of peppers (retain tops) and remove seeds and membrane. Place tomatoes and peppers in a greased pan, large enough to hold them comfortably, and give each vegetable a tiny dash of sugar with your fingertips. Process tomato flesh until pureed. Add 3/4 cup olive oil, rice, onion, shallot, garlic, mushrooms, mint, parsley, nuts, breadcrumbs, cheeses, salt, and pepper. Stuff the vegetables evenly with this mixture and replace tops of tomatoes and peppers. Toss potato slices in olive oil and salt and pepper. "Plant" in amongst the other vegetables. Combine 1 cup water and 1/2 cup olive oil with a scant tablespoon of tomato paste and a little salt and pepper and pour this around the vegetables and potatoes. Bake in a preheated 375 F oven for about 1 hour 45 min. (Vegetables should pierce easily and be slightly blackened in parts). Turn off oven and leave in for another hour to "mellow" before serving. Serve warm, with slices of feta cheese and crusty bread.

Tips:

  • Choose the right peppers: Bell peppers, especially green bell peppers, are the most commonly used for yemista. They should be firm and have a deep green color.
  • Prepare the peppers properly: Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and ribs. Make sure to cut a clean circle around the stem, as this will make it easier to replace the tops after stuffing.
  • Use a variety of fillings: Yemista can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, including rice, ground meat, vegetables, and herbs. Be creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite.
  • Season the filling well: Don't be afraid to use plenty of herbs and spices in your filling. This will help to add flavor and depth to the dish.
  • Cook the yemista slowly: Yemista should be cooked slowly in a covered pot or baking dish. This will allow the peppers to soften and the filling to cook through.
  • Serve yemista with a side of yogurt or tzatziki sauce: This will help to add a cooling and refreshing element to the dish.

Conclusion:

Yemista is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover rice and vegetables, and it can be easily tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you are looking for a hearty main course or a light and refreshing side dish, yemista is sure to please.

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