Stuffed peppers (Ardei umpluți)

Name: Stuffed peppers (Ardei umpluți)
Ingredients: 5 medium bell peppers; 200 g dried soya mince (alternatively 400g grated seitan); 160 g risotto rice (uncooked); 300 g mushrooms (finely chopped); 1 liter tomato sauce; 1 onion (diced); 2 carrots (diced); 1 celery stalk (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tbsp paprika (smoked or sweet); 2 tbsp soya sauce ((optional)); 1 tbsp miso paste ((optional)); Olive oil (for cooking); Salt and pepper (to taste)

Two stuffed red peppers filled with a rice and vegetable mixture, topped with tomato sauce, served on a yellow plate.

Get ready to fall in love with a plant-based twist on a Romanian classic! Ardei umpluți are stuffed bell peppers baked to perfection. This is the same cozy comfort I’ve cherished my whole life, now ready to take center stage at your dinner table.

Ingredients

5

medium bell peppers
200 g

dried soy mince alternatively 400g grated seitan
160 g

risotto rice uncooked
300 g

mushrooms finely chopped
1 liter

tomato sauce
1

onion diced
2

carrots diced
1

celery stalk diced
2 cloves

garlic minced
1 tbsp

paprika smoked or sweet
2 tbsp

soy sauce (optional)
1 tbsp

miso paste (optional)
Olive oil for cooking
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil until tender. Add the mushrooms and cook for 10 minutes.
Stir in the rehydrated soy (or seitan), half of the tomato sauce, garlic, and spices. Simmer on low for 20–30 minutes until thick and flavourful.
Boil the whole bell peppers in a separate pot for 10–15 minutes. Rinse in cold water, cut in half lengthwise, and remove seeds.
In a bowl, combine the cooked vegetable/soya mixture with the uncooked rice.
Fill the pepper halves with the mixture and place them in a baking tray. Pour a little extra tomato sauce or water into the tray to keep them moist.
Cover the tray with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 1 hour. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes for a crispy top. Serve with baked potatoes or enjoy as it is!

Notes

Craving more plant-powered dishes?

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