Rice and Zucchini Stuffed Capsicum

Directions
Preparation:20min  ›  Cook:15min  ›  Ready in:35min 

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
2. Place the capsicum, standing upright, in a suitable baking dish. Drizzle sparingly with olive oil, including between and around the capsicum. Add a small pinch of salt into each.
3. Bake for around 10 minutes, until they are just starting to become tender but still firm enough to hold their shape. Remove from the oven and set aside. Keep the oven switched on.
4. Meanwhile, in a frying pan over a medium heat, warm the vegetable oil plus a small knob of butter (if using, if not use a bit more oil) until very hot. Add the onion and sun-dried tomato pieces, stir well, and reduce heat to low. Cook and stir for 5 minutes until the onion has softened.
5. Add the red chilli and garlic then cook and stir for another 5 minutes. Increase stove heat to medium-high then add the cherry tomatoes, stir well and continue to cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Add the zucchini and lemon juice then gently stir until the cherry tomato pieces are squidgy but still whole, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cooked rice, salt, pepper and oregano then stir well. Once well mixed, spoon the filling into the capsicum. Pack them firmly, but not enough to make their sides split.
7. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the capsicum when pinched feels quite soft but still a bit al dente. Remove from the oven. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil, and garnish with some more herbs (see tips). Serve and enjoy.

Baking Dish

If you don't have a small enough baking dish to hold your capsicums standing up, try linking them 2-by-2 with a toothpick or small cocktail stick inserted near the top.

Capsicums

I like to use yellow or orange capsicums for a nice colour contrast with the green and red of the filling.

Herbs

Try different herbs, marjoram works well, and you can try basil, thyme, sage, etc. You can also add 3 finely chopped chestnut mushrooms for an earthy, meatier taste (add with the cherry tomatoes in step 5).