Lunch: Deconstructed Sweet Sausage Stuffed Peppers

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Basil

Health benefits of Deconstructed Sweet Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons EVOO
1 1/2 pounds bulk Italian sweet sausage ( pork or turkey) with fennel, cut from casings (6 links)
3 to 4 cloves garlic, sliced or grated
3 bell peppers, 2 green and 1 red field pepper, diced
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup white or red wine
2 cups tomato sauce or tomato puree or passata
A few leaves fresh basil, torn
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
2 3/4 cups beef or chicken stock
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
3 tablespoons butter
About 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
A handful fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

In a drizzle of EVOO in a deep skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the sausage, but do not crumble to fine. Drain the browned sausage on paper towels. Add a couple of turns of EVOO to the pan. Then add the garlic, peppers and onions and cook to tender-crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir a minute. Next, stir in the wine and then the tomato sauce. Add the sausage and drippings back. Add a few leaves of torn basil. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer a few minutes to combine the flavors, and then cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat.
To serve, bring the stock to a boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook, about 17 minutes. Then stir in the butter and cheese and remove from the heat.
Serve the butter-and-cheese rice in shallow bowls topped with the sausage and peppers. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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