Description
Turkish Savoury Stuffed Apples with Rice and Pine Nuts is a creative dish that blends sweet apples with savory rice, pine nuts, and aromatic spices. This recipe offers a unique flavor profile, impressive presentation, and is adaptable for various diets, making it a standout in Turkish cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium-sized apples (tart varieties like Granny Smith recommended)
- 1 cup uncooked rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact to hold the filling.
- In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the uncooked rice and toast for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
- In a skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, sautéed onions, pine nuts, ground cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Spoon the rice mixture into each cored apple, packing gently.
- Arrange stuffed apples in a baking dish. Add 1/4 inch of water to the bottom. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil for the last 10-15 minutes to brown tops.
- Let cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples for the best flavor contrast.
- Adjust spices to your preference.
- Consider adding fresh herbs like mint or dill to the filling.
- Baking time may vary based on apple size.
- This recipe can be made vegan by using vegetable broth and omitting any animal-based ingredients.
- For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the filling.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Unbaked stuffed apples can be frozen and baked directly from frozen, adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 apple
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Turkish Savoury Stuffed Apples, savory stuffed apples, Middle Eastern style apples, ground meat stuffed apples, lamb stuffed apples, Ottoman stuffed apples, traditional Turkish apples, easy stuffed apples, baked apples, street food apples, ground meat and rice stuffed apples, savory apple and meat bake