Spanish Pisto with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), diced 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), diced
• 2 zucchini, diced 2 zucchini, diced
• 4 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped 4 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 14g, 9g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet and cook until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   Stir in the chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Stir in the fresh basil and thyme leaves just before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomatoes — To easily peel the tomatoes, make a small cross-shaped incision at the bottom of each tomato, then blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Transfer them to an ice bath and the skins will easily peel off.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can use hot smoked paprika instead of regular smoked paprika.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms to customize the dish to your liking.
• Serve the Pisto with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of feta cheese for added creaminess and tanginess.
• Leftover Pisto can be used as a filling for omelets or as a topping for bruschetta.
• Make a larger batch of Pisto and freeze it in individual portions for quick and convenient meals.

Serving advice

Serve the Pisto hot, either as a main course with crusty bread or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Presentation advice

Present the Pisto in a rustic ceramic dish, allowing the vibrant colors of the vegetables to shine through. Serve it family-style, encouraging guests to help themselves and savor the flavors of this traditional Spanish dish.