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Rice Cake with Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage

17/11/2023

I can share a recipe that merges the tradition of risotto with that of savory pies, adding Italian variations like broccoli rabe and Italian sausage. Here’s the recipe for a tasty rice cake with broccoli rabe and Italian sausage.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of Arborio or Carnaroli rice
  • 1 bunch of broccoli rabe
  • 200 g of Italian sausage (or another type of fresh sausage)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 50 g of grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 300 ml of vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Breadcrumbs (for sprinkling the pan)
  • Butter (for greasing the pan)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F). Grease a round pan with a bit of butter and dust it with breadcrumbs.

  2. Clean the broccoli rabe, removing the toughest parts of the stems. Wash the vegetables thoroughly and cut them down to their tender parts.

  3. In a pot with boiling salted water, cook the broccoli rabe for about 5 minutes, then drain and squeeze out the excess water.

  4. In a large pan, heat the oil and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent. Add the Italian sausage, previously skinned and crumbled. Cook until the sausage is well-colored.

  5. Add the rice to the pan and toast it for a couple of minutes, then gradually add the hot broth and continue cooking the rice until it is al dente, stirring occasionally.

  6. Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Then incorporate the well-drained and coarsely chopped broccoli rabe.

  7. In a bowl, lightly beat the eggs with salt, pepper, Parmesan, and Pecorino cheese.

  8. Pour the egg mixture over the rice and sausage and mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.

  9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and level it with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

  10. Bake the rice cake for about 30 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.

  11. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into slices and serving.

Curiosity

The rice cake is a very versatile dish that you can customize with ingredients you have at home or according to the seasons and occasions. Broccoli rabe, a staple of Apulian cuisine, blends perfectly with the rustic flavor of the Italian sausage for a dish with a rich and comforting taste.

Rice Cake with Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage