pepper

Stuffed Peppers with Rice

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stuffed_pepperI cook often stuffed pepper because it is a good solution to have a main dish and side dish all together. For this reason, I tried out many different ways to make them special every time. This is the easiest and quickest version recipe. Serve them room temperature or a littler warmer. This is one of those dish which is tastier the next day, if you know what I mean.

Time: 20 min + 45 min cooking in the oven

Ingredients:  for 6 portions

  • 5 red and yellow peppers
  • 100 gr Parmesan
  • 50 gr breadcrumbs
  • 150 gr white rice ( short grain)
  • 250 gr peas (frozen or in a can)
  • dry parsley
  • pepper,olive oil, salt

Option 2:

When I want to make this dish super complete, 3 in 1 effects (as my dishwasher tabs are supposed to be…) I prepare what in Italy is called ” ragù in bianco“, or white ragù. Basically just follow my ragù recipe (click here) skipping step 3 and 4 . Simply mix it with the rice and follow the rest of the recipe I am posting below.

1.Bring water to boil in a pot and cook your rice, but not completely. Drain it 3-4 minutes before the total amount of minutes suggested in the package. It will continue to cook in the oven.

2.While your rice is cooking, cut the top of peppers, get rid of seeds, cut them in half when they are small, or more for bigger peppers.Wash them, salt them inside and let them drain a little water out.

3. Mix in a bowl rice, Parmesan, pepper, parsley,peas or ragù in bianco. Put peppers with the concave part facing up in a baking tray. Fill all shells with a spoon. Spread breadcrumbs on them and olive oil to make the top part crispy and gold.

Cook for 45 minutes at 180°c

Let them cool down and.. Buon appetito!

Minestrone Recipe

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minestroneTime: 40 min + 10 prep.

Ingredients:

You can also add green beans or broccoli; I hardly have them fresh at home, so this is exactly my typical version of minestrone.

  • 1 big onion
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 zucchini
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 potatoes ( medium size)
  • 1 can peas ( ~250 gr)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • rosemary
  • pepper, salt, 2 cup water

1. Peel, wash and cut everything :)

2. Toss everything in a pan (including bay leaf and some fresh or dry rosemary) with two full big cups of water and cook for 30 min with the lid always on.

3. Rinse your peas, add them together with salt and pepper and cook for other 10 min. And it’s done! Buon appetito.

Chicken with peppers and potatoes

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grandma_chickenTime: 1 hour

Ingredients: 4 ppl

  • 1 kg potatoes
  • 4 little peppers ( or 2 big) red are more colorful and funny)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 chicken haunch or legs ( with skin)
  • pepper, salt, rosemary, olive oil ( and chili pepper if you want it more spicy)

1. In a little bowl, put two spoons olive oil, salt, garlic, pepper and rosemary to sink together( my grandma also used to put fresh chili pepper in it). Peel the potatoes, clean and cut in big chucks peppers- otherwise your peppers are going to be burnt before your potatoes are fully cooked.

2. Toss the veggies in a casserole and season with salt, I usually use my hands to mix everything evenly. Use a kitchen-brush to spread the oil on your chicken legs and on your veggies. Cook for 45 min at 200°c.

Buon appetito!!

chicken_pepper

Rice Salad ~ Recipe

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rice_saladTime: 20

ingredients:

The ingredients quantity can be altered up to your taste. You can also skip some ingredients you don’t like and adjust to your own favorite pickles. Each family has its own mix of ingredients in Italy, this is my daddy’s recipe.

  • 500 gr rice ( short grain one)
  • 20 cherry tomatoes
  • tuna can ( 150 gr)
  • 20 green olives
  • roasted peppers 400 gr ( I usually buy them ready to be eaten)
  • peas can ( 280 gr)
  • corn can ( 200 gr)
  • oregano and fresh basil
  • 3 spoons olive oil
  • 1 spoon balsamic vinegar

1. Boil the water with some salt in it and cook the rice following the directions in the box. Arborio or Carnaroli rice usually takes about 20 min to be fully cooked.

2. In the meanwhile, open all the cans and toss what they contained in a strainer and wash everything with cold water. Grab a big bowl and cut the tomatoes, peppers and olives in smaller pieces. Seasons everything with some oregano and fresh basil,3 spoons olive oil and 1 spoon balsamic vinegar. Add the rice, mix everything and it’s ready!

If you keep the bowl inside the fridge, it will last up to thee days without problems.

Buon appetito!