As the colder weather starts to settle, finding warmth in food is always a good option.  

In the next couple of months, introducing warm flavours and rich dishes is the perfect way to kick off Autumn. When it comes to spices and flavourful tastes, autumnal dishes are our favourite, especially when they involve lots of flavours and veggies.  

Vegetables are key immune system boosters, which is exactly what everyone should be conscious of during colder times. This Keep Calm and Cook recipe is ideal to enjoy during rainy days and conveniently matching the colours of autumn!   

Ingredients:  

-4 large tomatoes  

-4 bell peppers (colour of your choice)  

-Beef mince 

-Long grain rice  

-Olive oil 

-1 chopped onion  

-1 ½ teaspoon chopped garlic  

-1 can chopped tomatoes 

-1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste 

-Dried thyme  

-Dried oregano 

-Paprika  

-Salt & Pepper  

Instructions:  

-Boil water and cook rice then put aside  

-Add olive oil to a preheated large saucepan and cook onion until golden, then add the chopped garlic and tomato paste  

-Add the beef and season with thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste   

-Once the beef is fully cooked, add the rice and chopped tomatoes, season with oregano and paprika. Add salt & pepper to taste 

-Reduce heat and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated  

-Preheat oven to 200°C  

-After removing the core and top of the peppers and tomatoes, gently stuff each vegetable  

-Place all the vegetables onto one or two trays lined with non-stick baking/parchment paper  

-Lightly drizzle with olive oil before placing in the oven and cook for 30-35min.  

These stuffed vegetables are packed with flavour and, as small as they might look, they are incredibly filling. As colder days approach, your body uses more energy to keep you warm, which is why eating healthy but filling meals is important during cold weather. This recipe combines all the health benefits of vegetables with the filling properties of the rice and meat stuffing. For a vegetarian or vegan alternative, the meat can be taken out of the recipe completely to create a fragrant tomato rice stuffing!