Filana paprika – fresh peppers stuffed with minced meat
Filana paprika is a traditional Zagreb dish, although it can also be found in neighboring countries. For example, "Toltött paprika" in Hungary (which is probably a bit more spicy), "Gefüllte Paprika" in Germany, etc.
In Croatia, we also have the Dalmatian version, which differs by a somewhat thinner sauce and the addition of pancetta. No matter what kind of stuffed peppers you make, warm mashed potatoes will go best with the Zagreb variety.
Ingredients for 8 people:
8-10 pieces of fresh bell pepper
For stuffing:
800 g of mixed ground meat
30 g long grain rice
1 onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic
1 egg
For the sauce:
40 g smoked bacon
600 ml of tomato puree
600 ml vegetable broth
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Also:
Salt and ground black pepper
Preparation:
Cut of the stem part of the fresh peppers and remove the seeds. To a bowl with minced meat add rice, salt and pepper, chopped parsley, chopped onions, an egg and crushed garlic. Mix the ingredients well. Stuff the cleaned peppers with the mixture, arrange them on the bottom of a pot, add a piece of bacon, pour in tomato puree and vegetable soup, add a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for an hour and a half over a medium flame. When done, move the peppers to plates, cover in sauce and serve hot.