Armenian Stuffed Vegetables (Dolma)

Ingredients

FILLING

• 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb or ground round or lamb and lean ground top round beef
• 1/2 cup rice or cracked bulgur wheat (preferably a combination of the two)
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 8 ounces crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)

• 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth or beef broth, enough to cover the vegetables

Directions

1. 1

   PREPARATION OF VEGETABLES:.

2. 2

   A variety of vegetables can and should be used including red, gold, and or green bell peppers. Also used are large sized zucchini squash, tomatoes, and onions.

3. 3

   Scoop out the vegetables leaving an opening for the filling of about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and about 2-3 inches deep. Fill the scooped out vegetables with the filling mixture and place upright in a large covered casserole.

4. 4

   Pour over the crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce with broth or 1 cup of water. Cover and cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 1-1 1/2 hours.

5. 5

   Try this dish served with a dollop of Mahdzoon (YOGURT) over the filled vegetables.

6. 6

   See my Mahdzoon recipe -- ENJOY!