Stuffed Peppers with Lebanese Style Rice

I grew up eating Lebanese food which is naturally very healthy given the use of good oils and vegetables. Stuffed vegetables are particular common place in Lebanese cuisine, from courgettes and marrows to cabbage and vine leaves. This recipe combines stuffed peppers with a Lebanese style rice.

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

4 Red Peppers
800 grams of Lean Minced Lamb
1 egg beaten
1 finely diced Onion
1 pinch Ground Saffron
2 tsp Dried Parsley or a handful of fresh chopped.
100 grams of Pine Nuts
1/2 cup Tomato Puree (1 small tin)
2 tablespoons of Agave Nectar
2 tablespoons of Cider Vinegar
2 cups of Wholemeal or Brown Rice
2 tablespoons of Hemp Oil
1 teaspoons of All Spice
1/2 teaspoon of Cumin
Hemp Oil for cooking
Salt & Pepper for seasoning

Directions for the Peppers

- Place 600 grams of the lamb in a bowl and add to it the following ingredients; egg, half the onion, ground saffron, parsley, salt and pepper to season - work the mixture in with your hands
- Slice the peppers in half and deseed and remove the pith
- Stuff each pepper half with the meat mixture and roast in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the meat is cooked
- While the meat is cooking, mix the tomato puree, agave nectar,vinegar and more salt and pepper to season.
- Once the peppers are cooked, pour the tomato sauce over the top of the peppers and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes
- Finally remove the peppers from the oven and grill for around 5 minutes until the peppers begin to char
- Serve with the Rice below

Directions for the Rice

-  Toast the Pine nuts in a dry pan until they are lightly browned turning frequently - set aside
- Cook the rice as per instructions
- Meanwhile gently fry the remaining Onion in a little extra Hemp Oil
- When the onions turn translucent, add the reserved lamb (200g) and fry till browned.
- Add the Cumin and All Spice and cooking for a further minute or two
- Add the toasted Pine Nuts
- Now add the meat and nut mix to the cooked rice and serve.