Speca me Gjizë dhe Oriz
Peppers with Ricotta and Rice
A delightful vegetarian dish featuring bell peppers stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, Albanian ricotta (gjizë), herbs, and spices, baked until tender.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 large Bell peppers(any color, tops cut off and seeds removed)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 cup Long-grain rice(uncooked)
- 2 cups Water or vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups Gjizë (Albanian ricotta)(or a mix of ricotta and feta cheese)
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fresh mint(chopped (optional))
- 1 tsp Dried mint
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 0.5 cup Water(for the baking dish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
💡 Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking. - 2
Prepare the peppers: Cut off the tops, scoop out the seeds and membranes. Rinse them well.
💡 Tip: Try to keep the tops to use as lids if desired. - 3
In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the uncooked rice, water (or broth), salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the rice is partially cooked.
💡 Tip: The rice should still have a slight bite. - 6
Remove from heat. Stir in the gjizë (or ricotta/feta mix), chopped parsley, fresh mint (if using), and dried mint.
💡 Tip: Gently fold in the cheese and herbs to avoid breaking the gjizë too much. - 7
Stuff the prepared bell peppers with the rice and cheese mixture. Don't pack too tightly.
💡 Tip: Leave a little space at the top for the rice to expand. - 8
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil with the tomato paste and 0.5 cup of water. Pour this mixture into the bottom of a baking dish.
💡 Tip: This creates a flavorful sauce for the peppers. - 9
Place the stuffed peppers upright in the baking dish. You can place the cut-off tops back on as lids.
💡 Tip: If the peppers are wobbly, you can trim a thin slice from the bottom to help them stand. - 10
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the rice is fully cooked.
💡 Tip: Basting the peppers with the sauce from the bottom of the dish halfway through baking can add extra moisture and flavor.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Gjizë is a traditional Albanian farmer's cheese, similar to a dry ricotta. If unavailable, a mix of ricotta and crumbled feta cheese provides a good substitute.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of tomato sauce to the stuffing mixture.
- ✓Serve hot, perhaps with a dollop of yogurt or a side salad.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stuffing for a hint of spice.
- Incorporate other vegetables like finely chopped zucchini or carrots into the filling.
- For a non-vegetarian version, add cooked ground lamb or beef to the stuffing.