Bżar Mimli (Stuffed Peppers)
Maltese stuffed peppers baked with minced meat, rice, tomato, herbs, and garlic. Colourful, hearty, and ideal for family meals.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g minced beef
- 80g rice
- 300g chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Small handful fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 40g grated cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the peppers: Cut the tops from the peppers and remove the seeds. Keep the tops if you want to use them as lids.
- Cook the filling: Heat the olive oil and cook the onion until soft. Add the garlic and minced beef, cooking until browned.
- Add rice and tomato: Stir in the rice, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Stuff: Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan 180°C). Fill the peppers with the mixture and place upright in a baking dish. Add a splash of water or extra tomato around the base.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover, add cheese if using, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the peppers are tender.
Bżar Mimli are Maltese stuffed peppers filled with minced meat, rice, tomato, garlic, and herbs. They are colourful, filling, and often served as a family main course with potatoes or bread.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with patata l-forn
- Add a simple salad
- Spoon over the tomato juices from the baking dish
- Good warm or at room temperature
Traditional Notes & Tips
- The rice cooks inside the peppers, absorbing flavour from the meat and tomato
- Choose peppers that can stand upright in the dish
- Some families use a mix of beef and pork
- Cheese is optional and can be left out
- The peppers should be soft but still hold their shape