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Mediterranean lamb and chickpea stuffed capsicum

Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 6 medium red capsicum
  • 500 g lamb mince.
  • 1 tin organic chickpeas drained (about 210g).
  • 2 cups riced cauliflower.
  • 1 onion diced.
  • 3 cloves garlic finely diced or grated.
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary.
  • 1 tsp dried oregano.
  • 1 tsp cumin.
  • 1 tsp tzatziki slice blend.
  • 1 Tbsp dried mint.
  • salt and pepper to season.

Lemon yogurt dressing

  • 3-4 Tbsp greek yoghurt.
  • 1 tsp tzatziki spice mix.
  • 1/2 tsp salt.
  • 3 cloves garlic grated/crushed.
  • Juice of 1 large lemon.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200C.
  • Wash and pat dry your capsicum, cut around the stem and pull it out scooping out any membrane or seeds that may remain on the inside. Being careful to not break the capsicum apart.
  • Heat a saucepan on high heat and brown your lamb mince, pour out the excess fat and add in your onion, garlic and herbs/spices. Season and stir until onion is translucent.
  • Add in your chickpeas and cauliflower, add some broth/stock if the pan is too dry and cover with a lid cooking the mixture for 5 mins until the cauliflower has softened.
  • Turn of the heat. Pull out a baking dish, I have a lovely square ceramic tray which has a domed glass lid that fits 5-6 capsicum in it beautifully. If your tray doesn't have a lid you can always cover it with foil.
  • Bring your saucepan over and rest it on a chopping block near your baking tray. With a large spoon, begin to fill up your capsicums and arrange them on your baking tray. Cover and place it in the oven to bake for 45 mins.
  • Prepare your yoghurt dressing while the peppers are baking by simply combining all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisking to incorporate. It is not a thick sauce, it is meant to be drizzled over.
  • Once the peppers are finished cooking, serve them up alongside a garden salad and drizzle with lemon yoghurt dressing.

Notes

You could half the capsicums and lay them out on their backs and fill up the “boats” with your lamb mix instead of stuffing. But this will take up extra room and will require a larger baking tray. I also find they turn out a little drier than when they are baked whole.
If you are not a fan of cauliflower, feel free to change this recipe up by using some cooked rice or quinoa. My husband doesn’t love cauliflower, but the strong use of herbs in this make it very palatable for him.
If you do not have any tzatziki spice blend you could omit it, simply add 1/2 tsp each, parsley, dill and mint. You can tone down the level of garlic in the yoghurt dressing too, but we love our garlic so this is how we do it.