Turkish-Style Stuffed Peppers (Biber Dolması)

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Wash your peppers and remove the stems by pressing your thumb gently down on the base of the stem. This will cause the stem and base to cave inside the pepper, leaving a perfect hole on top for stuffing.

2. Step 2

   Clean out any seeds and white membranes from the insides of the peppers and set them aside.

3. Step 3

   Put a shallow pan on a medium flame and fry the onions in the olive oil until they are soft and reduced.

4. Step 4

   Add the pine nuts and brown them along with the onion.

5. Step 5

   Add all the other dry ingredients and mix well.

6. Step 6

   Stir in the water and grated tomato and bring it to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the water is almost absorbed.

7. Step 7

   Once your filling cools down enough to handle, arrange the empty peppers side-by-side in the bottom of a saucepan. Make sure there is no empty space left between the peppers; if there is, arrange the peppers in a smaller pan so they support each other and stand upright.

8. Step 8

   With a dessert spoon, fill each pepper with the rice mixture until it reaches the top. Don't pack the filling down or overfill your peppers. The rice will need enough room to expand while it cooks.

9. Step 9

   Once you've filled the peppers, cover the opening of each with a square of tomato, skin side up. Add enough water to the pan to reach halfway up the peppers. Drizzle about two tablespoons of olive oil over the peppers and add some extra salt to the water.

10. Step 10

    Bring the pan to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Let the peppers simmer gently with the cover on until most of the water is absorbed.

11. Step 11

    Remove the pan from the heat and let it continue to steam until it cools to room temperature. If too much condensation forms on the lid, cover the pan with paper towels and close the lid over them, letting the peppers continue to steam.

12. Step 12

    When the peppers are cool, they will become firmer and easy to remove from the pan. Remove each one gently with your fingers being careful not to damage it.

13. Step 13

    Place the pepper dolma on a decorative serving dish creating a random pile, drizzle them with some more olive oil, and garnish the plate with some chopped, fresh dill weed, if desired.