– 6 large sweet onions
– 1 pound ground lamb or beef
– 1 cup rice, uncooked
– 1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup water or broth (for baking)
Creating Greek Stuffed Onions (Salantourmasi) is straightforward if you follow these steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Onions: Peel the sweet onions and remove the center layers carefully to create bowls, leaving the outer layers intact. Reserve the inner layers for the filling.
3. Sauté Filling Ingredients: In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and sauté until translucent. Stir in the ground meat, cooking until browned.
4. Add Rice and Tomatoes: Mix in the rice, chopped tomatoes, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until flavors meld.
5. Stuff the Onions: Fill each onion with the meat and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in.
6. Place in Baking Dish: Arrange the stuffed onions upright in a baking dish. Pour water or broth around the onions to keep them moist during cooking.
7. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour. Remove the foil and allow the onions to brown lightly for an additional 15 minutes.
8. Check for Doneness: The onions should be tender and the filling well-cooked. A fork should easily pierce through the onions.
9. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
These steps will guide you in creating these incredible stuffed onions with ease.