Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef

(Etli Biber Dolmasi - Ottoman Kitchen)

4 Bell peppers (red, yellow or orange)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup canned crushed tomatoes
~3/4 cup water

Stuffing Ingredients:
250 g medium ground beef
1 medium tomato, peeled, diced
1/4 cup rice, rinsed
1/4 cup Turkish bulgur, small grain, rinsed
4 fresh onions, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 tbsp dill, chopped
2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2-3 tbsp water
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt
Pepper

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 garlic clove, mashed with salt

Cut off the tops of the peppers using a small knife, but don't throw them away as you will put them back on after you put in the filling (see picture). Clean out the seeds inside the peppers.

Mix all the filling ingredients with a tablespoon. Stuff the peppers with a teaspoon, but don't overdo it. Leave some room at the top. While filling the peppers, don't push the filling in, instead tap the peppers vertically on the counter. Then cover the peppers with the tops you cut off earlier.

Place the peppers in a medium pot. Now, pour the rest of the main ingredients over (water, crushed tomatoes, butter and olive oil). Cook at medium-low heat for about 30 minutes with the lid half covered. Then serve with Garlic Yogurt Sauce or Ayran on the side.