Why is it that I find it annoying for people to lecture about eating right and healthy unless they’re Jamie Oliver? Is it the British accent? hmmm….well, anyway… I love his recipes, I love that it’s always minimalistic but delicious, I love that it’s easy for home-cooks to grasp. I especially love that his dishes are never over the top in expense or technique or preparation. His style is earth and waistline friendly and I really love that he’s one of those chefs that somehow organically creates vegetarian dishes. It’s almost as if some of his dishes are completely, accidentally, vegetarian, and I mean that as a good thing.
It’s difficult to find a non-vegetarian chef that doesn’t consider us veggies a big ‘ol pain in the …neck. I like it, makes me feel like I’m part of the “in crowd” or something. Many of his dishes just happen to be vegetable based rather than meat based and his food is never trying too hard to be vegetarian. It just happens to be meatless. As if he was just cooking along and then, “oops…forgot the meat. Still delicious, though, so.. let’s just leave it that way.”
That’s my style. I totally dig it.
This is delicious. It’s easy and it’s meatless. And, yes, I’m a sucker for British accents.
Pasta Peperonata
- 2 red bell peppers deseeded and sliced
- 2 green bell peppers deseeded and sliced
- extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 red onion peeled and finely sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced or grated
- 2 beefsteak tomatoes diced
- 3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
- pecorino romano cheese
- fresh basil leaves
- 1 pound / 455g rigatoni, penne or spaghetti
Preheat large frying pan over medium heat and toss all peppers with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper then add to pan. Cover and let the peppers soften slowly to maximize flavor for about 15 minutes. Add sliced onion and cook for 10 minutes more. Add garlic, tomatoes, vinegar and a sprinkle of pecorino romano to pan, toss and reduce heat to low. Meanwhile, bring salted water to boil for pasta. Boil pasta as directed by the package instructions and drain, reserving just enough cooking water to keep the pasta from drying out – not a lot.
In warmed bowl toss the pasta and the peperonata together with the cooking water. Top with fresh basil leaves and additional pecorino romano cheese. Serve immediately.
Adapted from: Source
I love delicious dishes that “just happen to be vegetarian” – vegetarian food doesn’t need to taste like raw carrots
A lot of the Italian ‘primi’ happen to be vegetarian, and the Italians don’t even think about it. Your pasta looks fabulous, BTW!
ah, jamie oliver. i’m a sucker for him (+ his recipes), too! this looks absolutely lovely.
I think it has a bit thing to do with the voice. I quite enjoy it myself. His smile too! I like to watch his show; always easy recipes with real food!
Looks great!
Hey, thanks for the add on Food Buzz! I love meeting other bloggers who love food just as much as me, lol!
I’m really liking all the fresh tomato recipes that I keep reading at the moment. It’s obviously not something I do enough. Lovley colours in this!
I’m a sucker for the Scottish accent LOL
i think it’s Jamie week, yours is probably the 5th blog I’m reading that is talking about him. Hmm, I should make of of his delicious dishes before the week is over.
Anyhow, congrats on top 9, very well deserved.
i admire jamie oliver too! i love his show- food revolution! it seems like he is very genuine and his recipes are always so easy to make and tasty. your pasta looks superb!
Congrats on the top 9
I love pasta and this is one colorful and yummy looking dish that would be perfect for me 
Fantastic post and recipe! Congrats on a well-deserved Top 9!!
You had me at easy weeknight dinner…something I always look for. Thanks!
CONGRATS on the top 9 today!! And i love Jamie Oliver too.. he is so sexy
Delish recipe, definitely on the list now.
This looks delish! Congratulations on being in Foodbuzz top nine today! Well deserved I might add!
I love food that you wouldn’t think was vegetarian too. This looks like my kind of easy weekday supper, maybe tonight! Congrats on Top 9!!
Haha I might be sucker for British accent, but I love Jamie Oliver… I used to watch his TV series too (forgot title…what was it..). I like when he says “Eat your vegetable!” Anyway… this recipe is fantastic. I love pasta and veggies and win win situation here. And congrats on Top 9! Everyone adore this dish including me!
I love the British accent too… Is there anyone who doesn’t? And Jamie Oliver rocks! This recipe sounds really fresh & tasty… Thanks for sharing it
I’m a big JO fan as well as a big meatless fan! Love the veggies in this simple and healthy dish. Great recipe!
Jaime does have some good healthy recipes out there and this one looks like a winner. A good pasta dish does not always have to be laden with cream and be heavy! Great pics of this healthy tasty dish.
This looks so delicious!
As I become less and less of a meat eater, I’m always looking for good veggie recipes! Thanks Kate!
Delicious! I am a big Jamie O. fan, too. I agree, his dishes are beautiful, rustic and he’s not afraid of eggplant! Wonderful dish and pictures!
Who isn’t a sucker for a good accent?! Looks like a wonderful, colorful pasta dish1
This looks wonderful- and colorful!
That’s a great recipe indeed! So colourful…I loved the mingling of flavours!!