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Stuffed Onions recipe

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Greek stuffed onions (Salantourmasi) are a traditional comfort dish made with tender onion layers filled with a savory mixture of rice, ground beef, and herbs, baked in a rich tomato sauce until tender and caramelized.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

6 medium yellow onions

1 cup short grain or arborio rice, soaked

3 tbsp olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 yellow onion, diced

1 lb lean ground beef

1 tomato, grated

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp chicken stock paste

1 tsp dried oregano

1 can (14 oz) roma or whole tomatoes, blended

1/2 cup water

2 tbsp tomato paste (for sauce)

1 tbsp lemon juice (for sauce)

1/2 tsp salt (for sauce)

1/2 tsp ground black pepper (for sauce)

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Soak the rice in water while preparing other ingredients.
  3. Cut tops and bottoms off onions, peel, and make a slit lengthwise through to the center. Boil for 10–15 minutes until layers separate easily. Let cool.
  4. Prepare tomato sauce: blend canned tomatoes with water, tomato paste, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  5. In a skillet, sauté diced onion and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
  6. Stir in grated tomato, tomato paste, drained rice, lemon juice, parsley, mint, salt, pepper, chicken stock paste, and oregano. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until rice is partially cooked and liquid absorbed.
  7. Pour a thin layer of tomato sauce into the baking dish.
  8. Separate onion layers and stuff each with 2 tablespoons of filling. Roll gently and place snugly in the dish.
  9. Cover with remaining tomato sauce and foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, baste onions with pan juices, and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use ground lamb instead of beef for a traditional Greek flavor.
  • Add pine nuts or currants for a Middle Eastern twist.
  • Make it vegetarian by replacing meat with mushrooms or lentils.
  • Add cinnamon or allspice for extra depth of flavor.
  • Serve with Greek yogurt or tzatziki on the side.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/stuffed-onions-recipe/