Punjena paprika is a dish made of peppers, stuffed with a mixture of meat and rice in tomato sauce, the ingredients consisting of green or red capsicums, eggs, spices, salt, tomato, minced meat and rice.

Filovana Paprika - Filled Peppers

The meat inside is usually ground beef is mixed with egg, rice, diced red onions, salt, herbs and spices like garlic, ground black pepper, ground paprika, parsley or rosemary. The filling can sometimes contain mushrooms, mixed meats or cabbage.

The pepper tops are removed and the peppers are washed, seeded and loosely stuffed with the meat mixture and laid out in a large pot (tops facing up).

Enough water is added to completely cover the peppers. Spices like bay leaves, black peppercorn and other vegetables, like celery, cabbage and a whole onion may be added.

The stew is boiled until the peppers become visibly soft on the outside and the water reduces down to half. The thickening agent for the gravy is browned roux or flour and water. The heat is reduced and tomato paste, or even pasta sauce, can be added and mixed into the gravy. The dish is usually served alone, eaten with bread or with mashed potatoes and salad as a side dish.

Another, perhaps even better way of preparation is baking the filled peppers in the oven. It gives peppers and meat on the top great crispy and delicious taste. Unfortunately this way of preparation is only served amongst the rare restaurants in Sarajevo. Be sure to check it up if they offer baked Filled Peppers.

Filovana Paprika with chopped potato

Sometime also peppers can be filled with chopped potato which is another great way of preparation of this dish.

Most famous extra is smetana or yoghurt, with some nice summer salad.