Semi-prepared 'Housewife' Type - Stuffed Peppers

To prepare a delicious stuffed pepper recipe, it is essential to follow each step carefully to achieve a tasty and hearty dish. We start by cleaning the onion, which we chop finely. We put it to sauté in a pan with heated oil or lard, stirring constantly to fry it evenly. When the onion becomes golden and soft, we add the rice, mix well, and add a small amount of cold water. We cover the pan and let the mixture simmer on low heat for a few minutes, stirring periodically to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. After the rice absorbs some of the liquid and becomes slightly transparent, we take the pan off the heat and let the mixture cool down.

Meanwhile, we prepare the meat. We choose pork or beef, according to preference, which we mix with salt, pepper, and finely chopped herbs, such as dill or parsley. We add paprika for a more intense flavor and a pleasant color hue. Once the meat mixture is homogeneous, we combine it with the cooled rice, mixing until all ingredients are well integrated.

The next step involves preparing the peppers. We choose healthy, large peppers that we wash well. We cut off the stem and remove the core, then we place them upside down to drain any impurities and excess water. After they have drained, we move on to filling them. Using a teaspoon, we take from the meat and rice mixture and fill each pepper, being careful not to overstuff them, so the filling does not come out during cooking.

The stuffed peppers are arranged next to each other in a plastic bag, which we can label with the date of preparation. I prefer to portion the peppers in groups of 8-10, as I do not like to eat the same food for several days. The bags with stuffed peppers can be kept in the freezer for up to 4 months, sometimes even longer, without losing their taste.

When you want to prepare them, take the bags out of the freezer and place the peppers directly in the pot, covering them with tomato sauce. It is important not to thaw them beforehand to preserve the flavor. Cook the peppers over medium heat, and the cooking time will be about 30 minutes longer than for fresh peppers. If you wish, you can also add a few whole tomatoes to the pot for an even richer taste.

In the end, indulge yourself with this delicacy that brings the flavors of summer to your plate. Enjoy your meal and happy cooking!