Gemista
Tomatoes and peppers stuffed with herbed rice, baked in oil.
Ingredients
- 4 Tomato
- 4 Bell pepper
- 200 g White rice
- 1 Onion
- 4 tbsp Parsley
- 2 tbsp Mint
- 6 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 Potatoes (optional)
Method
- Heat the oven to 190C (375F) and let it come up to temperature.
- Hollow the tomatoes and peppers, reserving the tomato pulp.
- Finely chop the onion and the herbs (parsley and mint). Mix the rice with the chopped onion, the reserved tomato pulp, the herbs, the olive oil, and the salt.
- Stuff the vegetables with the rice mixture, nestle wedges of potato around them in the dish, and add a splash of water.
- Bake until the rice is tender and the tops caramelise, about 50 minutes.
- Rest briefly, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Gemista
Gemista is a cornerstone of the Greek summer table — vegetables hollowed out and stuffed with herbed rice, then slowly baked in olive oil until soft and caramelized. The name simply means 'filled,' and here tomatoes and peppers are the vessels, packed with rice bound by their own reserved tomato pulp, onion, and a generous mix of parsley and mint. Wedges of potato tucked around the vegetables roast in the same oil and juices, soaking up all the flavor. It belongs to the ladera family of Greek dishes cooked in plenty of olive oil, traditionally meatless and often eaten during fasting periods.
The finished dish is soft, sweet, and deeply savory, with the tomato tops caramelizing in the heat while the herbed rice inside turns tender and fragrant with mint. Baking for the better part of an hour lets the rice cook through by absorbing the tomato pulp, oil, and water, so the flavor concentrates rather than dilutes. Gemista is classically served warm or, better yet, at room temperature, which is when the olive oil and herbs read most clearly — a very Greek approach to eating. A wedge of feta and some crusty bread to mop the oily pan juices make it a full meal.
Gemista: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Gemista?
A serving has about 499 calories — 8.2g protein, 68.8g carbs, 22.1g fat, 7.4g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Gemista gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Gemista has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How long does Gemista take to make?
About 80 minutes start to finish, but only around 29 of those are hands-on — the rest is largely unattended cooking time you can step away from. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Gemista?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out potatoes — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Gemista make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.