Peppers are a fundamental ingredient in Eastern European cuisine. The herbs and sweet spices that flavor the barley are sometimes surprising to Western palates, in the best possible way. This decadent dish is the perfect special vegetarian dish to take center stage at any dinner party.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. pine nuts
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. currants, soaked in hot water
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. allspice
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 cup water, divided
- 2½ cups cooked barley
- Pepper to taste
- ½ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ cup finely chopped mint
- 6 red bell peppers, tops sliced off and seeded
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- Lemon wedges
Directions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large, wide saucepan or lidded skillet. Add onion and pine nuts. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender and beginning to color (5-8 minutes). Add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Stir in the currants, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and sugar. Add ½ cup water and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated (5-6 minutes). Add barley and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in the herbs.
- Stuff the peppers with the barley mixture. Stand the peppers in a wide, lidded pan. Mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ cup water, and lemon juice, and pour around the vegetables. Bring to a simmer and cover the pan. Simmer on medium-low, adding water as needed, until the peppers are very tender and there is just a small amount of liquid left (40-50 minutes). Garnish with lemon wedges to serve.
Nutrition Facts
6 servings per container
Serving Size 270 g
| Amount per serving | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 225 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 9.5g | 12% | |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% | |
| Trans Fat 0g | ||
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2g | ||
| Monounsaturated Fat 5.5g | ||
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 205mg | 9% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 33g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber 6g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars 9g | ||
| Includes 1g Added Sugars | 2% | |
| Sugar Alcohol 0g | ||
| Other Carbohydrate 18g | ||
| Protein 4g | ||
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium 44mg | 4% | |
| Iron 2.2mg | 10% | |
| Potassium 435mg | 10% | |
| Vitamin A 210.2mcg | 25% | |
| Vitamin C 163.2mg | 180% | |
| Vitamin E 3.2mg | 20% | |
| Vitamin K 94.3mcg | 80% | |
| Thiamin 0.2mg | 15% | |
| Riboflavin 0.2mg | 15% | |
| Niacin 3.6mg | 25% | |
| Vitamin B6 0.5mg | 30% | |
| Folate 80mcg | 20% | |
| Vitamin B12 0mcg | 0% | |
| Biotin 1.1mcg | 4% | |
| Chloride 34.3mg | 2% | |
| Pantothenate 0.5mg | 20% | |
| Phosphorus 99.3mg | 8% | |
| Iodine 1.6mcg | 2% | |
| Magnesium 44mg | 10% | |
| Zinc 1.2mg | 10% | |
| Selenium 6.2mcg | 10% | |
| Copper 0.2mg | 20% | |
| Manganese 0.7mg | 30% | |
| Chromium 0mcg | 0% | |
| Molybdenum 7.7mcg | 20% | |
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Red Bell Pepper, Barley, Water, Onion, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Parsley, Currants, Pine Nuts, Garlic, Peppermint, Sugar, Salt, Ground Cinnamon, Allspice.
Latest from Our Blog
Spring Meal Planning
Take the stress out of spring meal planning and prep. Our healthy tips and recipes will make your busy days a lot easier in the kitchen!