Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers (Zeytinyagli Biber Dolmasi)

Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers (Zeytinyagli Biber Dolmasi)

2 lb (~1kg) bell peppers
1 cup rice, washed and drained
2 onions, finely chopped
1 tomato, diced
1 tsp tomato paste
½ cup olive oil
1 cup hot water
1 tbsp dried/fresh mint
½ tsp allspice
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
½ tomato, sliced in 4 pieces for caps 

Cut tops off peppers, remove seeds and wash. In a saucepan, place the olive oil and finely chopped onions. Sauté lightly. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, sauté for 3 more minutes.Add the rice and braise for 5 minutes. Then add salt, sugar, allspice, cinnamon, dried mint and1 cup hot water. Stir and simmer until all liquid is evaporated.Let it cool.With a spoon fill the peppers with the mixture. Place one slice of tomato as a cap on top of each pepper. In a large saucepan or pot, place the rice stuffed bell peppers in the bottom. Add warm water, enough to almost cover half height of the peppers.
Close the lid and cook on low-medium heat, until the peppers get soft, for about 15-20 minutes. Cool before serving.