Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 yellow onion, slivered
  • 1 small green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and sliced lengthwise
  • 1 small red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and sliced lengthwise
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch chile flakes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with liquid
  • 4 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 cup jarred oil-packed giardiniera (pickled Italian vegetables), drained and roughly chopped
  • Aged provolone, for grating

Method

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook the sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.
  • With a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a bowl.
  • Add the garlic, onion, green pepper, red pepper, paprika and chile flakes to the pan.
  • Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the paste begins to caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Pour in the wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 1 minute.
  • Add the tomatoes with their juices and simmer until very thick and the liquid is evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Stir the cooked sausage into the peppers and onions along with the rice, basil and parsley.
  • Cook briefly until heated through.
  • Divide the mixture among 4 shallow bowls.
  • Scatter about 1/4 cup of the chopped giardiniera over the top of each and garnish each bowl with some grated provolone.
  • Serve immediately.