Sunday, April 22, 2012

Gorgonzola & Sausage Risotto Stuffed Peppers

This photograph was featured as the headliner piece for the Today Show's Blog, "Bites."







A great way to use up leftover risotto!


In our house, growing up, sausage & peppers was a staple-dish, so I wanted to pay tribute to that memory by adding sausage in a more creative way. This dish is my family's Italian twist on the classic, stuffed peppers.

Slicing the peppers lengthwise allows them to be a great showcase for the sausage and gorgonzola risotto. These stuffed peppers are a carefully conceived juxtaposition of Italian flavors. Normally, the rich and buttery texture of a risotto tamps down the ingredients added to it. Not in this case- the savory heat of the hot Italian sausage willfully stands out, getting the attention it deserves.  The gorgonzola cheese is a perfect paring with the sausage, and actually, helps to underscore the rich, boldness of the sausage.

Finish the stuffed peppers with a drizzle of olive oil and a shower of  Parmigiano Reggiano grated cheese.  The tasty, sausage and gorgonzola risotto filling really sets these stuffed peppers apart, but the added bonus is they are incredibly easy to make!


 
Ingredients for the Risotto:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cups uncooked Arborio rice
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup of  Pino Grigio
  • ¾  cup grated gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ½  cups of browned Italian sausage
  • 4 bell peppers, sliced lengthwise 

 (Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare peppers first by slicing in half, seeding, rub with a little olive oil and bake for about 20 minutes, or until they start to soften a bit. Remove from oven and set aside for filling with risotto and baking.)

How to Make the Risotto:
  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook until soft.
  3. Add the 2 cups of rice all at once, add the wine, stir and simmer for a few minutes.
  4. Add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring the rice until the broth has been absorbed between each addition.
  5. In large sauté pan on medium heat, brown the sausage and transfer to a paper towel- lined plate.
  6. Once the risotto is cooked and creamy, remove from heat, add the gorgonzola cheese and stir to incorporate. 
  7. Fill each pepper half with the risotto and top with a couple tablespoons of mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

18 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos, and I love the design of your blog. It's so refreshing not to have the standard white background, and yet it is still so elegant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, so much, Tora! I tried to make it look like you were in an Italian salumeria, with all its rustic charm and intoxicating aromas! Hopefully, I've achieved that sensation.

      Thank you, for stopping by! Come again soon! Lots of exciting things on the horizon!

      -Cath

      Delete
  2. Yum, this looks fantastic! I've had rice-stuffed peppers before, but never with risotto, and never with gorgonzola - total wow factor! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. These sound incredible! One question, you didn't mention when to add the cooked sausage. Did you mix it with the risotto or layer it under the cheese? Can't wait to make this!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for the compliment!! Come back soon!

    -Cath

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds really good. More work but wonder how it would be with cherry peppers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, John!! I'm sure it would be fabulous!!! Loves the cherry pepps!!!

      Thanks for dropping a note!
      -Cath xxo

      Delete
  6. Oh my goodness. I knew cooking ran in the Iannone genes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why, yes! Yes, it does, Nick! :-) Thanks for stopping by and dropping a note!!

      -CAth xxoo

      Delete
  7. made these tonight! They were DELICIOUS.. A little bite from the Gorgonzola that paired perfectly with the sausage, will definitely be making these over and over again!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This was an AMAZING recipe. Thanks so much for sharing it. It was one of those recipes that you think about for days after you eat it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just found this recipe and can't wait to try it. As another person asked, where does the sausage get added?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I absolutely LOVE this food here. . looks delicious. . this is like one of my favorite things to eat! Thank you for the great sharing

    ReplyDelete
  11. OK, these are in the oven! They smell really yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Will make this but I have same question as some others, when do you add the sausage? I think your recipe omitted this step. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Will make this but I have same question as some others, when do you add the sausage? I think your recipe omitted this step. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When do you add the sausage? This has been asked several times but no response.

      Delete
    2. When do you add the sausage? This has been asked several times but no response.

      Delete