I've been missing Italian cuisine a great deal lately and decided to cook an Italian-inspired dinner the other night for my roommate and myself. I made stuffed yellow and green peppers with tuna and Parmesan and had orzo risotto with prosciutto on the side. I have to say...it was pretty delicious. It's difficult to find time to cook dinner on a college schedule and even more difficult is trying to afford it on a college budget. I try to treat myself at least once a week with a good home cooked meal, and I'm sure my roommate doesn't mind either!

Here is the recipe so you can try it yourself. Prep time is about 20 minutes and baking takes about 25 minutes.

SERVES FOUR:
2 bell peppers cut in half and seeded (any color you like)
1 onion diced
2 cans of tuna
1 cup bread crumbs (I like Italian style)
1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 eggs
add salt and pepper to taste

Saute the diced onion in a pan on medium heat with a little olive oil until slightly brown
Combine onion with all ingredients except peppers in a bowl
Use a fork to mix all ingredients - be sure eggs are mixed in well
Stuff the peppers with the combined ingredients and place in a baking pan with a little olive oil coating the bottom of the pan
Sprinkle some bread crumbs, parmesan, and a little EVOO on top of each pepper
Bake at 350 for approximately 20-25 minutes
ENJOY!

Another meal that's relatively easy to make is sweet potato and black bean burritos if you're looking for a healthy Mexican treat. They are filling and good for you, especially for those vegetarians out there.

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 green chilli, finely chopped
2 tspn cumin
Pinch of cayenne
25 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 tspn salt
4 Flour tortillas (preferably wheat for those health nuts)
Grated cheddar cheese

* Add the sweet potato to a pan of salted water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes until the sweet potato is tender. Drain.
* Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the onion, garlic and chilli and cook until the onions have softened. Add the spices and cook for a minute further.
* Add the sweet potato, onion, chilli, garlic, beans, and salt to a food processor. Blend for 20-30 seconds until smooth-ish. If you don't have a food processor, mix thoroughly in a bowl
* Pre-heat oven to 350 F and lightly oil a baking dish.
* Spoon the sweet potato mixture into the middle of each burrito and roll into a cigar shape. Place burritos into the baking dish, sprinkle some grated cheddar on top, and cover with foil.
* Bake for 30 minutes.