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Category: Sausages & Mixed Meats

Gourmet Beanie Weenies

Gourmet Beanie Weenies

Gourmet Beanie Weenies2 14-oz. packages Lit’l Smokies
1 T. olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chile powder
2 T. vinegar
1/4 C. stout
2 28-oz. cans Bush’s Best Bold & Spicy Baked Beans (these are already flavored with cilantro, cumin, brown sugar and bacon)
5 oz. baby Spinach

In a large sauté pan, brown Lit’l Smokies over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Add olive oil and sauté shallot for a minute or two. Add cumin and chile powder and sauté for another 30 seconds. Add vinegar and stout, then add beans. Bring to a simmer and return Lit’l Smokies to the pan. Continue simmering for another 10 minutes. Just before serving, add spinach and gently incorporate until wilted.

Sausage and Polenta with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Sausage and Polenta with Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/2 of a 16-ounce tube refrigerated cooked polenta

1 T. olive oil

4 uncooked sweet Italian sausage links (about 1 pound total), each cut into 4 pieces

1/2 C. apple juice

1/4 C. balsamic vinegar

2 T. snipped dried tomatoes

1 8-ounce package mixed salad greens

1/4 C. pine nuts or slivered almonds, toasted (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut polenta into 1/4-inch slices, then cut each slice in half. Brush polenta with oil. Arrange in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake about 15 minutes or until light brown, turning once. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat for 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove sausage from skillet. Drain off fat; wipe skillet with paper towels. Return sausage to skillet; add apple juice, balsamic vinegar, and dried tomatoes. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink (160 degrees F). To serve, divide salad greens among four dinner plates. Arrange polenta slices and sausage pieces next to greens. Drizzle balsamic mixture over greens, polenta, and sausage. If desired, sprinkle with nuts.

Crazy Beans

Crazy Beans

1 lb. pork sausage

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green pepper, diced

1 can (1 lb.) baked beans in tomato sauce, undrained

1 can (1 lb.) each lima, kidney, green and wax beans, drained

1 C. dark brown sugar

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) tomato soup

1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste

6 slices bacon

 

In skillet, brown sausage. Drain reserving 2 T. drippings. Add celery, onion and pepper; cook until onion is translucent. Combine with remaining ingredients except bacon. Transfer to baking dish. Top with bacon. Bake at 350° for 1 hour.

 

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Autumn Sausage Casserole

Autumn Sausage Casserole

1 pound sausage

1 large, or 2 small apples, chopped (no need to peel)

1 yellow onion, chopped

1/2 cup chopped carrots

3 cups already cooked long-grain rice

1/2 cup raisins

1 T dried parsley flakes

1 T brown sugar

1/2 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. black pepper (start with 1/8 if your kids don’t tolerate a touch of spice)

1/3 cup chicken broth or water (I used water)

 

The amount of ingredients fit nicely in a 4 quart crockpot. I’d say this comfortably feeds a family of 4-5 with a bit of leftovers. If you have a large family or teenagers, add more rice and sausage. It’s a pretty easy recipe to adapt to your needs.  If you are going to use uncooked pork sausage, I’d recommend browning on the stove top, and draining before adding to the crockpot. Otherwise, dump all the ingredients into the crock, and stir well. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours, or on high for 3-4. You’re really only heating through, and allowing the vegetables to soften. This will not stick together like a gloppy casserole; it has the consistency of fried rice. Use bowls to serve rather than plates. We decided that eating this felt exactly like eating a bowl full of Fall. The spices are spot-on, and are comforting and hearty. Adam and I each had two servings, and then picked more while cleaning the dishes. I will make this again, often.

 

 

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Knockwurst with Sauerkraut Dinner

Knockwurst with Sauerkraut Dinner

 

1/3 C. chopped onion

2 slices cooked bacon, cut up

1 C. beer

1 C. water

2 T. cornstarch

2 T. coarse-grain brown mustard

2 T. molasses

2 tsp. caraway seed

1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 large rutabaga, peeled & cut into 1″ cubes

1 pound fully cooked knockwurst, bias-sliced into 2- to 2-1/2-inch pieces

2 medium cooking apples, cored and cut into 8 wedges each

1 16-ounce can sauerkraut, drained and rinsed

 

In a Dutch oven or large pot cook onion and bacon until onion is tender but not brown; drain fat. Stir in beer. In a 2-C. glass measure combine the water, cornstarch, brown mustard, molasses, caraway seed, allspice, and pepper; stir into bacon mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add rutabaga; cover and cook 15 minutes. Stir in the knockwurst, apple wedges, and sauerkraut. Cook, covered, 15 to 20 minutes more or until apples are tender.

 

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Potato Gnocchi with Sausage and Vegetables

Potato Gnocchi with Sausage and Vegetables

1 lb potato gnocchi

1 cup fresh baby spinach

1 tsp. diced garlic

1/2 lb. sliced kielbasa

1/2 small zucchini, sliced

1/2 yellow onion, sliced

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp. butter

 

In a medium-sized pot, boil 4-5 cups of water with a dash of salt. Once the water boils, drop in the gnocchi and boil for 2-3 minutes, or until the gnocchi begin to float. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.  In a large sauce pan/wok, heat up the butter on medium heat until it begins to melt. Add in onions and garlic and brown for 3 minutes. Add in mushrooms and zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes.  One the vegetables begin to cook and soften, toss in the sliced sausage and cook until the meat starts to heat through and brown.  Add in the drained gnocchi, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Just before cooking is complete, toss in the spinach an stir the ingredients around to incorporate. Cook for 2 more minutes until the spinach begins to wilt. Remove from heat and serve.

 

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Fireside White Bean and Sausage Soup

Fireside White Bean and Sausage Soup

3/4 pound turkey sausage links, cut into 1/8-inch rounds

2 C. of chopped yellow onion

1 16-oz. can of chicken broth

1/4 C. water

2 bay leaves

1 tsp. of dried thyme leaves

1/4 tsp. of black pepper

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

2 16-oz. cans butter beans, well rinsed and drained

 

Place a Dutch oven, preferably cast iron, over medium heat, add sausage, and cook until just beginning to brown. Add onion and cook for 6-8 minutes or until transparent. Add broth, water, bay leaves, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne, scraping bottom and sides. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover tightly, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add beans, reduce heat to a very low simmer, and cook for 4 minutes longer, uncovered. Remove from heat and let stand for 20 minutes. Remove bay leaves and serve.

 

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Sausage Dressing

Sausage Dressing

2 baguettes (long French bread), stale, cut into 1″ cubes

1 T. Canola oil

1 lb. breakfast sausages

2 C. finely chopped onion

6 ribs celery, peeled, split lengthwise, thinly sliced

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, diced

1/4 C. chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/4 C. chopped fresh sage leaves

4 eggs, slightly beaten

2 C. chicken broth

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

6 T. unsalted butter

 

The bread should be completely stale. If not, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and put in a low oven (250 degrees) for about 1 hour to dry them out. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the sausage meat and brown it, breaking up the meat.  Drain excess fat from skillet. Add onion and celery to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.  Add the apples and cook for 2 more minutes. If any fat remains, drain. Add bread cubes, parsley, and sage. Combine the eggs, broth, salt, and pepper. Pour liquid mixture over the sausage and   gently toss. Don’t over mix. Generously butter a 16″ baking pan with 2 T. Spread the dressing mixture in the pan and dot with 4 T. butter. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The top should have a nice golden brown crust.

 

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Spicy Sausage Pasta

Spicy Sausage Pasta

spicy

1 T. olive oil

1 lb. smoked sausage

1.5 cups diced onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 (10 oz.) can Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chiles, Mild

1/2 cup heavy cream

8 oz. penne pasta

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, each

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions

 

Add olive oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium high heat until just smoking. Add sausage and onions and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil, cover skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.  Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions. Broil until cheese is melted, spotty brown, and bubbly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salami Scrambles

Salami Scrambles

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan in a slow stream

1/4 to 1/3 lb. salami, deli sliced or whole mini, Genoa, dry or sopressata, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 to 3 scallions, chopped, 1/4 onion may be substituted

1 plum tomato or 1 vine tomato, seeded and chopped or 3 T. chopped sun-dried tomato — your preference or, depending on what you have on hand

8 large eggs

4 oz. your choice of: Boursin garlic and herb cheese, crumbled, alouette garlic and herb cheese (4 rounded spoonfuls), crumbled feta cheese, crumbled herb goat cheese – again, whatever your preference and whichever you have on hand

Salt and pepper

Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish

Chopped or torn basil leaves, for garnish, optional

 

Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium to medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and salami. Cook salami until it renders some fat and starts to turn a deep burgundy color, 2 minutes. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds, then add scallions or onions and cook 1 or 2 more minutes. Add tomatoes and cook another minute. Scramble eggs with cheese, a little salt and a generous amount of pepper. Add eggs to pan and scramble it all up together. Serve scrambles with parsley and/or basil garnish.

 

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Sourdough Bread, Fennel and Sweet Sausage Stuffing

Sourdough Bread, Fennel and Sweet Sausage Stuffing

1 1-lb. loaf sourdough bread, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes (about 16 C.)

1 3/4 lb. sweet Italian sausages, casings removed

5 to 6 T. butter

2 1/2 fennel bulbs, chopped

1 1/4 lb. onions, chopped

1 T. fennel seeds

1 1/4 lb. firm but ripe Bosc pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 large red bell peppers, chopped

2 tsp. dried thyme

2 tsp. dried marjoram

2 tsp. dried rubbed sage

3/4 C. dry white wine

3/4 C. (about) canned low-salt chicken broth

Chopped fennel fronds (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread bread on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Bake until just golden, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer to very large bowl. Cook Italian sausage in large pot over medium-high heat until browned, breaking up pieces with back of fork, about 12 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to small bowl. Melt 4 T. butter in same large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped fennel, onions and fennel seeds. Sauté until fennel and onions are tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add pears, bell peppers and herbs. Sauté until pears and peppers are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add wine and boil until most liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Toasted bread cubes, sausage and fennel mixture can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately. Store bread at room temperature; refrigerate sausage and fennel mixture.) Add sausage and fennel mixture to bread cubes. Season stuffing to taste with salt and pepper.

 

To bake stuffing in turkey:

Loosely fill main turkey cavity with stuffing. Add enough broth to remaining stuffing to moisten lightly (about 1/4 to 1/2 C., depending on amount of remaining stuffing). Generously butter glass or ceramic baking dish. Spoon remaining stuffing into dish and dot remaining stuffing with 1 T. butter before baking in dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down. Bake stuffing in dish alongside turkey until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover stuffing. Bake until top is just crisp and golden, about 15 minutes.

 

To bake all of stuffing in baking dish:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 13x9x2-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish. Add enough broth to stuffing to moisten (about 3/4 C. to 1 1/2 C..) Transfer stuffing to prepared dish and dot stuffing with 2 T. butter before baking. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down; bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is crisp and golden, about 20 minutes longer. Top with fennel fronds, if desired, and serve.

 

 

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Hearty Fennel Soup with Sausage and Gouda Croutons

Hearty Fennel Soup with Sausage and Gouda Croutons

FW1004WWH052 T. extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage links

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

3 medium fennel bulbs—halved, cored and thinly sliced

2 thyme sprigs

6 C. chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Six 3/4-inch-thick baguette slices, lightly toasted

6 ounces medium-aged Gouda cheese, such as Prima Donna, finely shredded

 

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan. Add the sausage links and cook them over moderate heat until golden brown and just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage links to a plate.  Add the onion to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the fennel and thyme and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and simmer over moderately low heat until the fennel is very tender, about 45 minutes. Add the zucchini, cover and simmer over moderate heat until barely tender, about 2 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs. Working in 2 batches, puree the soup in a food processor. Return the soup to the saucepan. Thinly slice the sausage and add to the soup. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm. Preheat the oven to 500°. Arrange the baguette toasts on a baking sheet and top them with half of the cheese. Bake for 1 minute, or until the cheese melts. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and top with the toasts. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on the soup and serve.

 

 

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Mini Chicken Sausage Meatballs with Gnocchi and Tomato Sauce

Mini Chicken Sausage Meatballs with Gnocchi and Tomato Sauce

meatballsSalt

1 1/2 lb. ground chicken

1 T. grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)

1 tsp., 1/3 palm full, fennel seeds

1/4 C. tender sun-dried tomatoes (available in pouches or tubs in produce section)

1 C., 20 leaves fresh basil, divided

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, plus some to drizzle

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, eyeball it in your palm

1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes

1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce

Pepper

1 lb. gnocchi, potato dumplings, from refrigerated or frozen foods section of market

Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, 1/2 C. – a couple of handfuls, plus some to pass at table

Crusty bread, to pass at table

Peppery Salad, recipe follows

 

Bring a pot of water to a boil for gnocchi. Salt boiling water but wait a while to drop in gnocchi. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place chicken in a medium bowl with grill seasoning and fennel seeds. Pile sun-dried tomatoes on top of each other in small stacks then slice into thin strips. Coarsely chop the thin strips and add to bowl. Stack the basil leaves together then roll them up into a log. Shred the basil by thinly slicing the log. Add the half the basil to the bowl. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the bowl. Mix chicken together, roll into mini balls, 1 1/2 inches across, and arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 to12 minutes or until firm and lightly golden. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. To the hot skillet, add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan then the garlic, onions and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and season sauce with salt and pepper. Drop gnocchi in boiling water and cook 5 minutes or to package directions. Stir basil into sauce to wilt it. Drain gnocchi and arrange on a platter. Remove balls from oven and add to gnocchi, equally distributing them. Sprinkle cheese over meatballs and hot dumplings then top with sauce by carefully ladling it all over and around the platter. Gently toss to combine then serve with crusty bread and Peppery Salad.

 

Peppery Salad

 

2 tsp. steak seasoning

2 T. red wine vinegar, eyeball it

1/4 C. extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it

6 large radishes, thinly sliced

1 green Italian cubanelle pepper, seeded and very thinly sliced

4 scallions, chopped on an angle

1 C. chopped pickled green beans, available on condiment aisle, or hot pickled Italian vegetable salad, Giardiniera, drained well

2 bunches, 6 C., arugula, cleaned and trimmed, coarsely chopped

Handful flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

Salt

 

Place the steak seasoning and vinegar in the bottom of a small bowl then whisk in extra-virgin olive oil and let dressing stand 10 to 15 minutes. Add the radishes, peppers, pickled vegetables, arugula and parsley to a salad bowl. When you’re ready to serve the salad, dress it, toss and season it with salt, if necessary, to taste.

 

 

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Ricotta Pasta with Sausage, Grape Tomatoes, Peas, and Basil

Ricotta Pasta with Sausage, Grape Tomatoes, Peas, and Basil

ricotta1 lb. penne

2 C. ricotta cheese

2 T. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/2 C. Parmigiano Reggiano

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil (I omitted)

1 medium onion (I omitted)

1 C. frozen green peas

A generous handful of fresh leaf parsley, finely chopped (I omitted)

Coarse black pepper

Coarse salt

20 fresh basil leaves, shredded or torn

1 C. halved grape tomatoes (1/2 pint)

1 1lb bulk Italian sweet sausage

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and salt the water. Cook the pasta to al dente. Place the ricotta, butter, and Parmigiano in a large bowl. (I omitted this step) Heat a small skillet over medium. Add the EVOO and onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add the peas and parsley and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Drain the pasta. Add to the bowl with the cheeses to melt butter evenly and coat the pasta with the cheeses. Season with salt and pepper. Top with peas, basil, and halved tomatoes. Toss and serve at the table.

 

 

 

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Braised Hearty Greens with Chorizo and Pimentos

Braised Hearty Greens with Chorizo and Pimentos

BraisedHeartyGreenswithChorizoandPimentos8 oz. chorizo sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4-inch thick

1/2 C. thinly sliced red onion

2 1/2 pounds hearty greens (kale, mustard, turnip, or collards), stemmed and leaves chopped

1 C. low-sodium chicken broth

1 T. packed brown sugar

Salt and pepper

1/2 C. chopped jarred pimento peppers

2 T. unsalted butter

2 T. sherry vinegar

 

Cook chorizo in Dutch oven over medium heat until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer chorizo to paper towel-lined plate. Cook onion in now-empty pot until softened, about 5 minutes. Add half of greens, broth, sugar, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cover and cook until greens are beginning to wilt, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining greens and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat until completely tender, about 30 minutes. Remove lid and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid is nearly evaporated, about 10 minutes. Stir in chorizo, pimentos, butter, and vinegar and cook until butter is melted, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

 

 

 

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Rigatoni with Broccoli and Sausage

Rigatoni with Broccoli and Sausage

rigatoniCoarse salt and ground pepper

1 pound rigatoni

2 heads broccoli, cut into florets (about 4 cups)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice

4 anchovy fillets, minced

1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

Parmesan, grated, for serving

 

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. In last 2 minutes of cooking, add broccoli and cook until bright green and crisp-tender. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and broccoli.  Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, lemon zest and juice, anchovies, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Add sausage to pot and cook over medium-high, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, return pasta and broccoli to pot, and add oil mixture. Toss well to combine, adding enough pasta water to create a thin sauce that coats pasta. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan.

Fettuccine with Spicy Chicken Sausage, Kale, and Tomatoes

Fettuccine with Spicy Chicken Sausage, Kale, and Tomatoes

pasta1 T. olive oil

1/2 lb. spicy Italian chicken sausage, casings discarded and sausage crumbled

1 bunch kale, tough stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped

1 tomato, roughly chopped

1/3 lb whole wheat fettuccine

1/3 C. reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/4 C. grated Asiago plus additional for serving

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add sausage and brown for 5-7 minutes, breaking up lumps with a spoon. Meanwhile, blanch the kale in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 5 minutes, uncovered. Remove the kale with a large sieve and drain. Return the cooking water to a boil, then add fettuccine and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 C. of the pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander. While the pasta is cooking, add the kale and tomatoes to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the broth, stirring and scraping up any brown bits in the skillet. Add the pasta and 1/4 C. of the pasta water, tossing until combined well. Stir in the cheese to incorporate, and thin with additional pasta water if desired.

 

 

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Baked Fusilli with Red Onions, Tomato & Smoked Sausage

Baked Fusilli with Red Onions, Tomato & Smoked Sausage

Salt

3-4 T. Olive Oil

6-8 oz. Wild Mushrooms, such as Shiitakes, portobelos or crimini, thinly sliced

1 lb. Smoked or Hot Italian Sausage Links cut in 1” lengths (kielbasa)

1 jumbo Red Onion, thinly sliced

2-3 cloves Garlic, minced

1 dried Red Chile Pepper, crumbled

4 C. canned Tomato Puree

1 lb. Tri-Colored Fusilli Pasta

1 C. Quark (or substitute 1 C. whole milk ricotta mixed with 1/4 C. low fat sour cream)

1/2 C. Sour Cream

1/2 Parmesan Cheese

Pepper

4 basil Leaves, julienned

 

Preheat oven to 500.  Lightly oil a shallow 3 quart oval baking dish.  Fill soup pot with water, add salt and place over medium high heat.  Meanwhile in large sauté pan heat 3 T. oil over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for one minute.  Cover and cook another 4 minutes.  Remove cover, add sausage and cook, stirring often, until sausage is heated through and lightly browned, about 5 minutes (If using uncooked Italian sausage, cook longer, until cooked through).  Add more oil if needed and stir in onion, garlic and chile.  Cook, stirring often, until onions are tender about 10 minutes.  Add tomato puree and cook until sauce is heated through and very hot.  Meanwhile cook pasta in boiling water for about 12 minutes or 4 minutes less than the package instructions suggest; pasta should still be somewhat tough.  Drain and reserve.  Add quark, sour cream and 1/4 C. parmesan to sauce.  Stir in pasta, pepper and basil.  Pour in prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with remaining quarter C. parmesan.  Bake for 15 minutes or until top is crusty.  Serve immediately.

 

 

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French-Bread Pizza with Sausage, Clams, and Mushrooms

French-Bread Pizza with Sausage, Clams, and Mushrooms

1 link sweet Italian sausage (4-ounce) sausage-pizza-ck-222722-x
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 can chopped clams (6-1/2-ounce) undrained
3/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese (3 ounces) divided
1 loaf French bread — (16-ounce) cut in half horizontally
2 T. chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove casing from sausage. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Add flour, and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the mushrooms, milk, oregano, pepper, and clams; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Place bread halves on a baking sheet; spread clam mixture evenly over cut sides of bread. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese and parsley. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cut each half into 3 pieces.

Yield: 6 Servings
Calories: 363
Fat: 11.3 g
Fiber: 2.7 g

Spicy Sausage Skillet

Spicy Sausage Skillet

1 T. olive oilspicy-sausage-pasta-16b
1 lb. smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into 1/4″ slices
2 T. dried minced onion flakes
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 C. heavy cream
8 oz. campanelle pasta (or penne)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 C. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/3 C. thinly sliced scallions

Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a 12-inch oven safe skillet until hot. Add sausage and cook until lightly browned. Add onion flakes, garlic powder, broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until pasta is tender. Remove skillet from heat and stir in half of the cheese. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. One Pot Meal.

Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza

Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza

5a22dd8350a582ff4fe32340bdbb7bbd1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1 to 2 15-oz. jars pizza sauce
1/2 lb. ground pork sausage, browned and drained
5-oz. pkg. sliced pepperoni
1/2 c. sliced mushrooms
1/2 c. green pepper, sliced
Italian seasoning to taste
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

Generously grease a large cast-iron skillet. Press thawed dough into the bottom and up the sides of skillet. Spread desired amount of pizza sauce over dough. Add favorite toppings, ending with cheeses on top. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Carefully remove skillet from oven. Let stand several minutes; pizza will finish baking in the skillet. Cut into wedges to serve.

Sausage Green Pepper Wontons

Sausage Green Pepper Wontons

Sausage-Green-Pepper-Wontons-Landscape2 c. (1 lb.) sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 ½ c. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 ½ c. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 c. Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
½ c. chopped green pepper
12 wonton wrappers

Lightly grease 2 muffin tins. Press one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup. Bake 5 minutes until lightly brown. Remove and let cool on cookie sheet. Brown sausage and seasoned salt. Drain grease from sausage. Put sausage in bowl and add cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and green peppers. Mix with rubber spatula. Fill each cooked wonton with filling and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for additional five minutes or until bubbly.

Texas Surprise Garlic Meatball Appetizer

Texas Surprise Garlic Meatball Appetizer

50 to 60 cloves fresh garlic, peeled
12 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup fresh parsley leaves (stems removed)
1 to 2 jalapeno peppers (optional)
6 cloves fresh garlic
6 oz. hot pork sausage
6 oz. mild pork sausage
2-1/4 cups buttermilk baking mix

Blanch 50 to 60 cloves garlic in boiling water 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. In food processor fitted with shredding disc, grate cheese. Remove and set aside. Allow cheese and sausage to come to room temperature before mixing. In dry food processor bowl, chop parsley and peppers, if used, using steel blade. Use garlic press or side of wide-bladed knife to crush 6 cloves garlic. Add to processor, along with sausages and baking mix. Process until well mixed. Add cheese, and process only until well combined. Shape into 50 to 60 small balls, inserting a whole blanched garlic clove in each. At this point, balls may be frozen for baking at a later time. To bake at once, place balls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot as an appetizer, plain, or with a bowl of plain yogurt for dipping.

Sausage Corn Chowder

Sausage Corn Chowder

1-2 lb. sausage, depending on your families appetites, browned, crumbled, drained
4 cups cubed frozen hash browns or 4 cups cubed potatoes
1 can corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1 can evaporated milk (may use low fat)
2 cups water
1 T minced onion (dried is fine)
pepper to taste

Dump in crock pot, stir well; cook all day on low or half a day on medium. Serve with grated cheese, oyster crackers, or CheezIts. Serves 6 plus, depending on appetites. Even better the next day and seems to freeze well also.

Christmas Morning Casserole

Christmas Morning Casserole

201412-xl-christmas-morning-casseroleButter, for greasing
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced pepperoni (2 ounces)
1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 medium onion, minced
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
8 large eggs
3 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 pound day-old challah, sliced 1 inch thick and cut into 1-inch dice (10 cups)
6 ounces Black Forest ham, finely diced (1 1/4 cups)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (1/4 pound )
1 cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese (1/4 pound )
1/2 cup finely chopped scallions, plus thinly sliced scallions for garnish
Hot sauce, for serving

Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the pepperoni and cook over moderate heat until the fat is rendered, about 3 minutes. Add the shiitake and cook until lightly browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned, about 7 minutes; let cool completely. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, mustard, soy sauce, pepper and 2 teaspoons of salt. Add the cooled vegetable mixture, challah, ham, both cheeses and the chopped scallions and mix well. Scrape the mixture into the prepared baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. 
 Preheat the oven to 350°. Uncover the casserole and bake for about 50 minutes, until it’s just set and the top is browned. Let stand for 10 minutes, then top with thinly sliced scallions and serve with hot sauce.

Italian Sausage Soup

Italian Sausage Soup

Italian Sausage Soup

 

1 lb. turkey Italian sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 C. broccoli flowerets

1 C. uncooked mostaccioli pasta (3 oz.)

2 1/2 C. water

1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves

1/4 tsp. fennel seed, crushed

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 can (28 oz.) P Italian-style peeled whole tomatoes, undrained

1 can (18.5 oz.) French onion soup

 

Cook sausage in 4-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain.     Stir in remaining ingredients, breaking up tomatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low.    Cover and cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mostaccioli is tender.

Pepperoni Pull Bread (Pizza Monkey Bread)

Pepperoni Pull Bread (Pizza Monkey Bread)

2 balls of pizza dough
2 C. shredded Asiago, Parmesan or any other hard cheese
1 pound mozzarella, cut into 1″ cubes
1 package of sliced pepperoni
1/4 C. olive oil
4 cloves fresh pressed garlic
1 tsp. dried oregano

Preheat oven to 375. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, and oregano. Coat a Bundt pan with one T. this mixture. Cut dough into golf ball sized dough balls. Flatten with hands. Place two pepperoni slices on top and one mozzarella cube. Pinch dough around filling to form a ball. Scatter a handful of Asiago on bottom of Bundt pan. Place one layer of balls on bottom of pan. Brush balls with garlic mixture. Scatter more Asiago on top. Place second tier of balls on top of first. Brush more of the garlic mixture on top and finish off with another handful of Asiago. Shake some more oregano on top to make yourself feel good about adding something green. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

One Pot Spicy Southern Sausage and Rice

One Pot Spicy Southern Sausage and Rice

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 (13-oz.) fully-cooked Kielbasa sausage*, cut on the diagonal into coins
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
1 (14 oz.) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, with juices
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
1½ C. dry long-grain rice
2 C. low-sodium chicken broth

Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until nearly smoking. Add the sliced Kielbasa and arrange in a single layer as much as possible. Allow to cook, undisturbed, for 90-120 seconds, until browned. Flip the sausage pieces and brown on the other side. Add the peppers, onions, and jalapeno to the pan. Sauté 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to brown. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (do not drain), and add the bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well. Turn the heat down to medium and add the uncooked rice to the pan along with the chicken broth. Let the contents come to a boil and allow the liquid level to reduce until the rice starts peeking out of the top. Once the liquid is below the rice (about 5 minutes or so), cover the pan and turn the heat to low. Let the rice steam for 15 minutes before uncovering and stirring the contents. Discard the bay leaves and serve hot.

Coconut Beer Batter Spam with Raspberry Horseradish

Coconut Beer Batter Spam with Raspberry Horseradish

2 3⁄4 C. flour
2 T. oil
2 eggs
6 oz. cold water
16 oz. beer, flat
3⁄4 tsp. salt
1 dash pepper
1 1⁄2 tsp. garlic powder
1 (12 oz.) can Spam
2 C. shredded coconut
1 C. raspberry sauce or 1 C. raspberry jelly
3 T. horseradish sauce

Open beer and leave at room temperature overnight. Chill beer and then add water, oil and eggs.
Mix just enough to break the egg yolks. In separate bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Add to liquid ingredients, while stirring slowly. Add coconut and stir slowly. Prepare deep fryer as directed by manufacturer. When oil is ready, dip 1-inch wide strips of Spam in beer batter and deep fry until they float to the surface. To make raspberry sauce, combine raspberry syrup or jelly with horseradish sauce in small bowl. Dip in raspberry sauce and enjoy.

Gemütlichkeit Spamwich

Gemütlichkeit Spamwich

8 oz. bacon
1 C. diced yellow onion
1 C. flour (divided)
2/3 C. apple cider vinegar
1/3 C. sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
4 C. thinly sliced green and red cabbage
12 hamburger-size pretzel rolls
½ C. vegetable oil
2 cans (12 oz. each) Spam with bacon
3 large eggs, beaten
1 ½ C. panko bread crumbs
¼ C. sweet spicy mustard

Dice bacon into ½-inch pieces. Cook in skillet over low heat until crispy; drain on paper towels and set aside. Saute onion in skillet with 2 to 3 T. the bacon drippings. Cook over medium-low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle onion with 1 T. the flour. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Add vinegar and sugar and stir until sugar dissolves. Season as desired with salt and pepper. Add cabbage and stir until it slightly wilts, about 1 minute. Add reserved bacon. Remove from heat and set aside. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut pretzel rolls in half. Lightly brush rolls with a small amount of oil and place face-side down on a baking sheet. Lightly toast rolls in preheated oven about 5 to 10 minutes; set aside. Place remaining oil in a large nonstick skillet (enough to cover bottom of pan) and heat over medium heat. Slice each can of Spam with bacon into 6 lengthwise slices (for a total of 12 slices). Place flour, eggs and panko crumbs into three separate pans. Dip each slice of Spam into flour, followed by egg and then panko crumbs. Sauté slices until golden brown on both sides. Place slices in warm oven as you finish each batch and hold until all slices have been browned. For assembly, spread bottom half of each toasted pretzel bun with mustard. Top with slice of Spam and the cabbage slaw. Top with roll tops and serve immediately.

Glass Noodle and Spam Stir Fry

Glass Noodle and Spam Stir Fry

2 C. glass noodles / cellophone noodle
1 C. spam cut into small cube
1 tsp. oil
1 tsp. dice garlic
1 small grated carrot
3 small red chili pepper
3 C. bean sprouts
200 ml any stock of your preferences
2 tsp. otona no furikake (seaweed)

Soak the glass noodle in water for 2 to 3 minutes till its soft them drain and set aside. With oil pan fry spam ,garlic ,small chili pepper (optional )and grated carrots till spam are cooked and brown. Add the soften glass noodle and beansprout with stock and bring it to a boil then add seasoning then stir fry it Serve glass noodle /cellophane noodle and spam and top with furikake.

Wheat Berries & Spam

Wheat Berries & Spam

3 C. wheat grain/wheat berries
Water to cover the wheat
2 T. peanut oil
1 can Spam ham, cut into ½” cubes
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 red bell pepper cut in small cubes
1 C. water
1 tomato cut in small cubes
1/2 C. chives, chopped finely
1/2 C. cilantro, chopped small

Cover the wheat with water and set aside for one hour or until the water is absorbed. Heat the oil and the garlic, stirring to prevent garlic from burning. Add spam and bell pepper, continuing to sauté and stirring gently. Add the hydrated wheat berries, mix well, and continue to cook. Add 1 C. water, cover and lower heat to medium-low. Cook about 15 minutes, until wheat berries are soft and dish is heated through. Stir in chives and cilantro, and serve garnished with the tomatoes.

Red Hot Chili with Rum

Red Hot Chili with Rum

2 pound hot Italian sausage, sliced
2 C. green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 C. chopped onion
2 T. chopped fresh garlic
2 cans (28 oz. each ) crush tomatoes
1/2 C. fresh hot pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 C. ground chili powder
1/2 C. dark rum
1/4 C. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Hot pepper sauces to taste

Brown Hot Italian Sausage in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain any excess fat while leaving 1 T. behind. Stir in green pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir about 8 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. simmer for about 1 hour or until thickened. Garnish with chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese.

Spam Musubi Recipe

Spam Musubi Recipe

2 C. short grain rice
2 T. rice vinegar
2 T. sugar
1 T. salt
1 can Spam
3 T. soy sauce
2 T. sugar
2 T. mirin or rice vinegar
2-4 sheets nori (seaweed)

Make rice. Pour rice into a large bowl and swirl around in cold water. Pour water out (you may want to use a cheese cloth) and repeat twice more until water around rice is clear. In a medium pot over high heat, place rinsed rice and 2 C. cold water. Leave uncovered and bring to a boil. Once the pot begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and cover for 15 minutes. Keeping cover on, remove pot from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. In a separate small bowl or ramekin, mix rice vinegar, sugar, salt and microwave until warm (30 seconds). Uncover rice and mix in rice vinegar mixture to coat rice. Let rice sit out until at room temperature. Remove Spam from can and slice into 8-10 equal slices. Prep spam musubi sauce. While rice cools, in a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, sugar and mirin / rice vinegar. Set aside. Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add spam slices. Once slices begin to crisp on both sides, turn heat low and add soy sauce mixture making sure to flip and coat quickly.  Remove caramelized Spam and put aside on a plate. Assemble Spam Musubi. In a rice mold, press down half a C. cooled rice. You can also form your spam musubi without mold by pressing a portion of rice in a small, rectangle tupperware container like we did. Cut long strips of nori / seaweed, about 2-3″ wide and 4-5″ long–enough to wrap around your rice patty. Place rice patty in the center of seaweed strip, and top with one slice of caramelized spam. Wrap seaweed around spam and seal. If seaweed doesn’t immediately stick, lightly wet your fingers and gently rub seaweed. Enjoy your spam musubi fresh, or cling wrap and warm up as a snack

Spam Pinkabet Stir Fry

Spam Pinkabet Stir Fry

4 Japanese long eggplant
2 T. cooking oil
2 bay leaves (laurel)
2 C. water
2 C. cherry tomatoes
1 whole yellow or red onion
2 inch finger piece ginger sliced in half crushed
1-2 T. minced garlic More the better!
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 T. bagoong (Filipino fish sauce) or harm ha (Chinese fine shrimp paste)
1/2 C. water
2 C. long beans
1/4 lb. sweet peppers
2 long bittermelons cut
1 pound whole okra pods
1/4 pound kabocha pumpkin
2 zucchini
1 can low sodium SPAM

Soak all big veggies in water then drain. Cut all large veggies in diagonal cuts as this is a stir fry and you want the veggies to cook fast. Heat a large pot or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil, onion, ginger, garlic and bay leaves. Stir fry to release aromatic but do not burn. Add tomatoes and continue to stir fry. Add long beans and stir about 3 minutes. Add bittermelon, eggplant, pumpkin, zucchini, and okra last. Each layer of veggies about 3 minutes each. Cut SPAM into 1-2 inch cubes. Add water if it get dry. Add bagoong or shrimp sauce and a little more water, if needed. TASTE! Don’t make it salty! You may add sugar if you want it a little sweet. It’s up to you. You’re da cook!

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya

2 T. Butter
1 C. Frozen Diced Bell Peppers and Onions
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 lb. Smoked Sausage, cut into ½ inch diagonal slices
2 C. Converted Rice
3 C. Water
1 16 oz. Can Stewed Tomatoes
1 ½ tsp. Cajun Seasoning
Sliced Green Onion Tops, garnish

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add frozen onions and peppers and sauté for 2 – 3 minutes. Add garlic and sausage and cook until sausage is just browned and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add rice, and stir to coat the grains in the drippings of the pan. Increase heat to high, add water, tomatoes, and seasoning; bring to a boil. When mixture reaches a steady boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes. Serve, garnish with sliced green onions.

Corn & Spam Pancakes

Corn & Spam Pancakes

1 7-oz. can SPAM® Classic, finely chopped
1 8-oz. can cream-style corn
1 large egg
1 C. milk
1 C. pancake mix
1 T. vegetable oil

In medium bowl, combine pancake mix, milk, corn, egg and oil. Stir in SPAM® Classic. On greased griddle, pour batter using 1/3 C. for each pancake; cook over medium heat until browned on bottom. Turn and brown other side. Serve pancakes with maple or buttered pancake syrup or honey.

Spam & Eggs

Spam & Eggs

12oz. Spam, Cubed
2 Eggs, Beaten
2 oz. Cheddar, shredded

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour in eggs, then Spam. Cook, stirring, until eggs are nearly done, then sprinkle cheese over, and stir until melted.

Nigella Cocktail Sausages

Nigella Cocktail Sausages

1 kilogram cocktail sausages
2 tablespoons sesame oil
125 millilitres honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7/425ºF. Separate the sausages, if they are linked, and arrange in a large, shallow-sided roasting tin. Whisk together the oil, honey and soy sauce and pour over the sausages, then use your hands – or a couple of spatulas – to move everything about in the pan so that all the sausages are slicked. Roast for 25-30 minutes; give them a shuffle about halfway through cooking if you happen to be near the oven.

Honey-Sesame Sausage

Honey-Sesame Sausage

2 tsp. Olive Oil
1 T. Honey
1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
12 good quality Cocktail Sausages
1 tsp. Sesame Seeds

Heat oven to 350. Mix together oil, honey and mustard in a small bowl. Add sausages and turn to coat them in mixture. Arrange sausages in a nonstick roasting pan and cook in oven for about 12-14 minutes, turning occasionally until almost done. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cook until minute until sausages are golden and cooked through.