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Stuffed Tomatoes MIddle Eastern Style
This recipe for Stuffed Tomatoes Middle Eastern Style is a comforting blend of rice, ground beef, onion, and warm spices, encased in fresh tomatoes and baked until tender. The use of cinnamon and allspice gives it a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor profile, offering a fragrant, savory-sweet balance that is both hearty and elegant. The dish reflects the traditional practice of hollowing out vegetables to create self-contained meals, a technique common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck, these stuffed tomatoes highlight the natural sweetness of tomatoes while delivering a spiced filling that feels both rustic and refined.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine middle eastern
Servings 6
Calories 185 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup long grain rice (cooked and set aside)
  • ½ lb ground beef (hamburger)
  • 1 yellow onion (chopped)
  • 6 tomatoes (medium )
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp allspice (or ½ tsp for milder flavor)
  • salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

  • Cook ½ cup long-grain rice and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onion

  • Brown ground beef in a skillet with chopped onion.
  • Allow to cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare the Tomatoes

  • Using a sharp knife, cut a 2-inch circle around the stem end of each tomato.
  • Scoop out the pulp carefully with a spoon, reserving pulp for soup or sauce if desired.

Step 4: Mix the Filling

  • Combine cooked rice, beef-onion mixture, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 5: Stuff the Tomatoes

  • Fill each hollowed tomato with the mixture, leaving a little space at the top.
  • Do not pack the filling tightly.

Step 6: Bake

  • Arrange stuffed tomatoes in a baking dish.
  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, until tomatoes are tender but not collapsing.

Tips

  • Use hollowed tomato pulp to make a light pan sauce with a pinch of salt and cinnamon.
  • Substitute ground lamb for beef for a more traditional flavor.
  • Add minced garlic or fresh herbs (mint or parsley) to the filling for brightness.
  • Use basmati or jasmine rice for extra aroma.
  • For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes.
  • Top with toasted pine nuts after baking for crunch (omit for nut-free diets).
  • Make ahead: stuff tomatoes, refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
  • Serve with yogurt sauce or tahini for a classic pairing.
  • Turn into a full meal by serving over a bed of simple salad or couscous.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.25gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.6mg
Keyword baked tomatoes, ground beef, Middle Eastern, rice stuffing, savory dinner, stuffed tomatoes, vintage recipe, weeknight meal
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