Potato Kielbasa Skillet

Based on the Recipe from Taste of Homes.

4 servings
According to MyFitnessPal, each serving is 307 calories.

Ingredients

• 1 pound red potatoes, cubed
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 Hillshire Farms Lite Polska Kielbasa (sliced)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach

Directions

1. Place potatoes and water in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high until tender; drain. It took my microwave somewhere between 5-8 minutes for these little guys to get tender.
2. In a large skillet, saute kielbasa, garlic, and onion in oil until onion is tender. Add potatoes; saute 3-5 minutes longer or until kielbasa and potatoes are lightly browned.
3. Combine the brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and pepper; stir into skillet. 
4. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. 
5. Add spinach; cook and stir until spinach is wilted.

Chicken Sausage with Fire Roasted Tomato Jasmati Rice

Chicken Sausage with Fire Roasted Tomato Jasmati Rice

This made four servings and when I put it into a calorie measuring program, it registered at about 350 calories per serving. This was a "necessity" recipe. I looked at what we had left in the house, as we're getting down to the nips and bits before payday. It turned out amazingly delicious and my husband says I have to make it again. It's a keeper, a one-pot, and quick! Could even make it in the slow-cooker and let it cook on high until the rice is ready. It's worth trying.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 Jasmati Rice
• 1 can Progresso Starter Fire Roasted Tomato
• 2-4 cups of Water
• 1 Knorr Homestyle Chicken Concentrated Stock
• 1 package (4 sausages) Smoked Mozzarella and Artichoke Chicken Sausages (cut into pieces)
• 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
• 2 TBSP minced garlic
• 1 cup chopped up celery and celery leaves
• 3-4 tendrils of Saffron (or a pinch)
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a skillet or pan on high.
2. Chop up the onions and celery (with leaves) and saute with a TBSP of olive oil and the 2 TBSP minced garlic.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then add the Knorr concentrated stock.
4. When the vegetables have softened, add in the sliced chicken sausage and cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Add in 1 1/4 cup Jasmati rice, 2 cups of water, and the can of Progresso Fire Roasted Tomato Starter Sauce. Add in a pinch (3-4 tendrils) of Saffron.
6. Bring to a boil, stir, and then cover tightly. Turn to low and let simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Check on it every 5-10 minutes to make sure it's not sticking. Add more water if necessary.
8. After the rice is ready, remove the pan from the heat and let sit.
9. Serve and enjoy!

Notes: Shrimp could also be added to make it more like a jambalaya! Maybe a little cayenne pepper to give it a little spice or some jalapenos. Seriously a delicious dish!

Oven-Roasted Pasta Primavera with Real Beef Hot Dogs

This popped up when I was looking through my Rachael Ray Magazine and it looks so fresh and delicious, so I tried out the recipe from Johnsonville.com. Sadly, the sausage didn't make it on the grocery list (a mystery yet to be solved), so we used our beef hot dogs to fill in the gaps. It turned out AWESOME! My husband says he probably wouldn't have liked it as much if it hadn't been for the accidental slip. He didn't even know they were hot dogs! We also couldn't find zucchini. Both stores were out or had not received a shipment. Make it hard to cook healthy when stores don't provide healthy foods.


Ingredients

• 8 oz. fresh mushrooms, quartered
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 medium orange (or red) bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1 pkg. (14 oz.) Kelement's Chicago Brand Beef Hot Dogs (cut at an angle)
• 12 oz. uncooked Cavatappi Pasta or pasta of your choice
• 1 cup grated pecorino cheese
• grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, tomatoes, onion and bell pepper. Add the oil, salt and pepper; toss to coat.
3. Transfer to a greased shallow baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the sausage and pecorino over vegetables. Bake until sausage is heated through.
5. Meanwhile, cook linguine according to package directions; drain and place in a large bowl.
6. Add sausage mixture and toss. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Spicy Sausage, Cheese Tortellini, and Vegetable Soup

Spicy Sausage, Cheese Tortellini, and Vegetable Soup
Serving: 8-10

Ingredients

• 2 cans Del Monte Diced Tomatoes (Basil, Garlic & Oregano)
• 26 oz Swanson's Cooking Stock - Beef
• 1 lb spicy hot or medium Italian Sausage (de-case the sausages if ground is not available)
• 18 oz Progresso Recipe Starter - Fire Roasted Tomatoes
• 1 TBSP Minced Garlic
• 1 large Yellow Onion, diced
• 2 large carrots (peeled and cut 2-3mm wide)
• 2 medium zucchini (middle cut out, peeled, and cut into 2-3in fourths)
• 1 cup quartered baby button mushrooms
• 2 cups water
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 9 oz Bella Luna "fresh" cheese tortellini (for frozen, put them in with the zuchinni and reduce the water by 1/2 a cup)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in a large pot. Drain off the grease and set the meat aside (on a paper towel to catch the excess grease).
2. Sweat the onions, carrots, and garlic. The onions should be slightly translucent, but still have crunch.
3. Add the sausage back into the pot. Then add in the beef stock, diced tomatoes, water, tomato sauce,  Progresso's Fire Roasted Tomatoes, bay leaf, and 1 TBSP pepper and 1 TBSP salt. 
4. Cover and turn on high to bring to a boil. Let boil for 15 minutes.
5. Turn the stove to medium or medium-low until you get a low simmer. Add in the baby button mushrooms and zucchini.
6. Let cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the zucchini is starting to become soft.
7. Add in the tortellini and continue cooking at medium of a low boil until the tortellini are cooked to your preferred level of doneness. 
8. Add in the Parmesan cheese. Let simmer for 5 more minutes.
9. Serve with garlic bread on the side. Additional Parmesan also adds a nice touch.

WTH is for Dinner Breakfast-Dinner

WTH is for Dinner Breakfast-Dinner

Ingredients

• 1 Hillshire Farm Cheddar Turkey Ring Bologna
• 6 Eggs (or 3 Egg Beaters)
• 2 tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 8 thin slices of a French loaf
• Cherry Tomatoes – Sliced
• Shredded Parmesan
• 2 TBSP butter

Instructions

1. Beat 3 eggs and 1 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning. In a heated pan, melt 1 TBSP butter and pour in the egg mixture. Spread out until you get a thin layer of eggs. Very thin, like a crepe. Flip when cooked. Then put aside. Do this for the last 3 eggs and last teaspoon of Montreal Steak Seasoning and last TBSP of butter.
2. Put the eggs aside to cool. Then cut up the Turkey Bologna into small slices. Do not add anything to the frying pan, but keep it on heat. Put the slices in the frying pan and cook until browned on both sides. (You could also just microwave cook the sausage and then slice it afterwards.)
3. Toast the bread and put a thin layer or butter or margarine or other bread preference on the bread when toasted. Put two slices on each plate.
4. Slice cherry tomatoes to give at least six cherry tomatoes to eat person. Evenly divide the sliced cherry tomatoes between the four plates.
5. Roll up the two sheets of eggs, individually, and cut them into 1cm sections, giving you what looks like egg pasta. Drape these evenly over the bread on the plate.
6. Put your ring bologna on paper towel to drain and pat away excess grease. Then divide evenly among plates.
7. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the plate and serve.

I saw this recipe in the Food Network Magazine and I just had to cook it. I changed a few bits about the recipe, one of which was adding Green Bell Pepper to the onion mixture for inside.

Sausage-and-Rice Timbale

Time: 15 minutes (prep); 1 hour 15 mins (cook)

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups arborio rice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 medium onion, chopped 
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 6 Italian pork sausages, casings removed
• 2 TBSP minced garlic
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons Italian breadcrumbs
• 4 large egg
• 1 1/4 cups grated pecorino romano cheese (about 3 ounces)
• 2 ounces deli-sliced provolone cheese (6-8 slices)

Instructions

Springform Pan

1. Bring a large pot of salted water (or chicken broth/not included in directions amount) to a boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring once or twice, until the rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. 
2. Drain, shaking the colander to remove any excess water. Spread the rice on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool. (You could also just a bit of a preferred white wine to add some flavor to the rice.)
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place a baking sheet on the middle rack. 
4. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
5. Add the onion and green bell pepper and cook until soft, about 8 minutes. 
6. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 6 minutes. 
7. Add to the skillet along with the garlic and tomato paste. Increase the heat to high and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste browns, about 4 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. 
8. Meanwhile, grease the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Coat the pan with the breadcrumbs, tapping to remove any excess. 
9. Put the eggs and all but 3 tablespoons of the pecorino cheese in a small bowl and beat with a fork. Put the cooled rice in a bowl; add the egg mixture and stir to combine. 
10. Transfer about two-thirds of the rice mixture to the prepared springform pan. Using moist fingers, pat the rice onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan, forming a 1/2-inch-thick layer. (I used a spoon here and it worked out perfectly fine.) 
11. Place the provolone slices over the rice in the pan. Spoon about three-quarters of the sausage filling over the provolone, filling it to 1/2 inch from the top. Then add another layer of provolone.
12. Pat the remaining rice mixture on top to enclose the filling, then sprinkle with the remaining 3 tablespoons pecorino cheese on top. Put the pan on the hot baking sheet and bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool, 5 minutes. 
13. Run a small knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the timbale, then remove the side of the pan. Slide a spatula under the timbale and transfer it to a platter. 
14. Thin the remaining sausage filling with a splash of water and reheat. Serve with the timbale.

Overall, this recipe was a success. My husband thought the 1/2 inch thickness was a bit too thick and would have preferred it just a little thinner. My top layer was very thin, so that was a bonus there. I also let it bake for 30 minutes instead of just 20 to get the top just a little toastier. Next time, I would also add a bit more seasoning to the filling. I'm not sure I'd want an Italian seasoning, but something. I think a good addition would also be a few more vegetables. A sliced up zucchini layer would taste good, but for some reason our grocery store seems to be frequently out of them. Seasonsal issues I suppose.

This recipe requires quite a bit of multitasking, but is well worth the work. We enjoyed it and there was lots of leftovers for meals the following day or for lunches, as it would be easy to reheat with a little splash of water for the rice.

Goes great with my Balsamic Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta as an appetizer.

Italian Sausage Fettuccine with Mozzarella, Basil, and Sun Dried Tomato Sauce

Italian Sausage Fettuccine with Mozzarella, Basil, and Sun Dried Tomato Sauce

Servings: 4

Time: 30-45 minutes

Ingredients:

4 frozen Italian sausages (preferred kind)

4 wedges laughing cow Sun-dried Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella cheese

1 yellow onion, cut into small slices

1 can diced tomatoes with liquid

1 package of cooked garden fresh fettuccine

½ cup chicken broth

2 TBSP minced garlic

Instructions:

1.  Cook the fettuccine as directed and to the desired tenderness.
2.  Cut frozen sausages into angled pieces. Take the cases off after cutting if you want to.
3.  Cook the sausage pieces in a pot with the garlic.
4. While the sausage cooks, cut the onions into halved medium-thin strips. Then add to the pan with the sausage.
5. Let cook together until the unions are starting to turn translucent. Then add the can of diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
6. Make sure you drain your noodles and rinse them under cold water. Let sit while you finish what is in the pot.
7. Once the liquid in the pot is boiling, add four-5 wedges of Laughing Cow Sun-dried Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella cheese. Mash and blend with a fork or spoon.
8. After you combined the cheese into a thin sauce, add the pasta to the pot and toss. Let simmer until the dish is fully combined.

Sainsbury's Experiment Night 3

Night three was a disaster. Our scheduled meal was supposed to be Jerk Chicken with coconut bean rice, but I forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer and it didn't thaw in time for dinner. So we switched things around and made the Chorizo and Pasta Hot Pot.

Chorizo and Pasta Hot Pot

Ingredients
100g pack Spanish chorizo
2 onions
390g carton chopped tomatoes (or can of chopped tomatoes)
250g pack conchigliette
400g White farmhouse loaf (or any preferred thick cut bread or rolls)

1 vegetable stock cube (or chicken) or 1 liter vegetable stock

1 small can of preferred peas

Method
1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or saucepan and add 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped. Add 1 x 100g pack Spanish chorizo, with each slice halved, and fry until crispy.
2. Add 1 x 390g carton chopped tomatoes and stir in 250g conchigliette.
3. Add 1 litre vegetable stock, made with 1 stock cube, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add 1 can peas and cook for another 5 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the peas are cooked.

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve in large bowls with chunks of bread on the side

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

What a hit this was. It was even supposed to make 4 portions, but made roughly 6 portions, so now we have lunch for tomorrow! I was so thrilled with this dish. It is a perfect "winter" dish or comfort food. I love one-pot dishes and I was so nervous about this because of our last chorizo experiment with the tomato pancakes, but this was so delicious!

Sausage, Beans and Broccoli Rabe Soup

Another favorite that I got from the FoodNetwork.com website. This was done by Rachael Ray on her show 30 Minute Meals on the episode Rainy Day Relief. Late I'll post the delicious mozzerella sandwich that she did also which goes beautifully with this soup as a comfort on those rainy days.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1 1/4 pounds Italian bulk sweet sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and chopped into small dice
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cans white beans, drained
Salt and pepper
4 cups chopped broccoli rabe and greens
2 quarts chicken stock
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, to pass at table

Directions
Heat medium soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sausage and brown. Add veggies, bay leaf and beans. Season with salt and pepper. Cook mixture 5 minutes to begin to soften the vegetables. Add rabe and wilt. Add stock and cover pot. Raise heat and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook 15 minutes. Adjust seasonings and serve soup with grated cheese, for topping.

Fusilli with Sausage, Artichokes, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This recipe is from foodnetwork.com and was done by Giada De Laurentiis on her show Everyday Italian in the episode Stress-Free Italian. So you know its an easy recipe. If you had Christmas lunch with us in 2006, this is the pasta dish we cooked. I've tweaked it over the years as I've cooked it more and more often, so don't be scared to make the recipe your own.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients
3/4 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced, 2 tablespoons of oil reserved
1 pound Italian hot sausages, casings removed
2 (8-ounce) packages frozen artichoke hearts (I use canned, quartered artichokes, drained)
2 large cloves garlic, chopped (2 teaspoons minced garlic)
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
16 ounces fusilli pasta
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, plus additional for garnish
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
8 ounces water-packed fresh mozzarella, drained and cubed, optional (do not use shredded mozz)


Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
Heat the oil reserved from the tomatoes in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown, breaking up the meat into bite-size pieces with a fork, about 8 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a bowl. Add the artichokes and garlic to the same skillet, and saute over medium heat until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. Boil over medium-high heat until the sauce reduces slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli in boiling water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta (do not rinse). Add the pasta, sausage, 1/2 cup Parmesan, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mixture. Toss until the sauce is almost absorbed by the pasta. Stir in the mozzarella. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve, passing the additional Parmesan cheese alongside.

Note: We took out the parmesan cheese and it tasted quite good.