Peppers Italian Country Style Recipes

ITALIAN FRYING PEPPERS - 3 DELICIOUS WAYS TO COOK

Steps:

• Start by rinsing peppers under cold water.
• If you decide to cook them whole simply skip to the next step. Otherwise using a small sharp knife cut of the top with the stem. Remove the seeds. You can speed up cleaning process by cutting the top part a quarter of an inch lower from the stem. This helps remove the seeds faster.Rinse peppers again in cold water to remove any remaining seeds.
• In a large pan add generous amount of extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves and peperoncino. Cook for 2-3 minutes. At this point you can add a couple of anchovies (optional) and stir until dissolved.
• Add Italian frying peppers (whole or previously deseeded).
• Cook on high heat for a few minutes then reduce to medium and cover with a lid. Cook for about 15 minutes or until tender.
• Peppers should release enough juice while in the pan but feel free to add some water if the pan is getting too dry.
• Once peppers are cooked add basil leaves, a splash of vinegar (see notes) and salt to taste. Give another good stir. Let vinegar evaporate and turn the heat off.
• Serve with freshly ground black pepper or top them with crumbled feta cheese.

ITALIAN-STYLE SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages; cook until browned on all sides, following cooking instructions indicated on the packaging. Remove sausages from the pan. Drain grease, leaving about a tablespoon for the vegetables.
• Cook peppers and onions in skillet over medium heat until they begin to soften. Add garlic, salt, and pepper and cook one more minute.
• Stir in Classico Tomato & Basil Sauce. Increase heat until sauce begins to boil; reduce heat and simmer over low heat.
• Cut the sausages into 1-inch pieces; add to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened and the peppers and onions are soft, about 10 minutes.
• Serve in bowls or on rolls as sandwiches.

ITALIAN-STYLE STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a roasting pan (large enough to accommodate 8 pepper halves in a single layer) with cooking spray.
• Combine the ground sirloin, Italian sausage, brown rice, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, garlic, Parmesan cheese, egg, and 1/2 cup Classico® Tomato & Basil sauce in a large bowl. Mix until combined.
• Divide meat mixture evenly among the green pepper halves; press to compress slightly. Arrange halves in prepared pan. Spoon the remaining Classico® Tomato & Basil sauce onto the tops of the meat and peppers. Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake until the peppers are soft and internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove from oven. Remove foil and top each pepper with shredded cheese.
• Turn oven to broil. Place peppers, uncovered under the broiler. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

ITALIAN COUNTRY CHICKEN & PEPPERS

Steps:

• In large roasting pan place chicken, sausage and potatoes.
• Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
• Then stir in the peppers and onions.
• In small bowl combine chicken broth, vinegar and Italian seasoning.
• Pour over meat and vegetables in pan.
• Cover and bake for 40-45 minutes until chicken is done, stirring occasionally.
• Spoon meat and vegetables into serving dish.
• You can either discard broth mixture or use cornstarch to make a gravy.

PEPPERS ITALIAN COUNTRY STYLE

Steps:

• Slice onion, peppers and mushrooms into strips all the same size.
• Peel and core fresh tomatoes, although drained canned plum tomatoes can also be used.
• Heat the oil and butter in a large frypan over medium high heat. Add the onions and peppers and cook quickly tossing until onions are turning golden. Add in the mushrooms and stir on high heat. Stir in the garlic and spices cook a minute or two, and then add in the canned drained tomatoes. Simmer for four minutes until cooked and thickened. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Note: you also instead of the fresh or canned tomatoes can add your favourite tomato sauce and simmer until thickened. This gives more saucy consistency.

MARK'S OLD-FASHIONED SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, and peppers, and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the sausages, and cook about 4 minutes more, until sausages begin to brown. Add the tomatoes, wine, oregano, and a large pinch of salt. Cover, bring to a simmer, and simmer gently about 25 minutes, until the peppers are very soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Note: These recipes have been adapted from "The Campagna Table: Country Style Italian Cooking" by Mark Strausman. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow & Co. Inc.