Kitchen
What is Quanto basta (q.b.)?
Pronounced /KWAN-toh BAH-stah/
Definition
Quanto basta, abbreviated q.b., means "as much as needed" — the Italian recipe instruction to season to taste.
You will see it beside salt, oil, and pepper in nearly every Italian recipe. It is not vagueness; it is an assumption that the cook is tasting.
The practical translation: add, taste, add again, stop when it tastes right.
Larry says
Every recipe on this site lists a number, but the pan still gets the final vote.
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Quick answer
How long does it take to cook sausage and peppers?
Sausage and peppers takes about 30 to 40 minutes total. Brown whole sausages 10 to 12 minutes over medium heat, soften peppers and onions 12 to 15 minutes, then simmer everything together 8 to 10 minutes until the sausage reaches 160°F (71°C) in the center.