Easy Weeknight Italian Sausages

I no longer buy what I call "grocery-store ground beef". Lately, I have not been happy with it. Instead, I buy the pre-formed hamburger patties and use that. It is quality beef, not something leftover that the store grinds up to get rid of. It has been worth the extra money. Until now. 

On this day, I had planned on getting one pound of ground beef. But one pound of those pre-formed patties hovered at ten bucks! No thanks!

It upset my dinner plans and shopping. What to do? Voila! Italian sausages were on sale for 4.99 a pack. And it was a brand I like. I scooped them up along with a large green pepper, red onion, and a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, a loaf of Italian bread.

Dinner!

This can be done stovetop. You could put it in the oven, but if you're home it is satisfying to have something simmering on the range. Going back and forth to see how it's doing. A taste here and there ... a bit of seasoning ...

This is not a thick, spaghetti-like sauce. It is more brothy and, I think, cleaner.

Be sure to slice the garlic. It is a bit more mellow as it simmers in the pan. If it's in your budget, colored peppers add a nice touch ... otherwise, green is just fine.

You could certainly also add black olives and/or mushrooms.

I now douse all fresh meat purchased from the grocery store with boiling water. Many processing and shipping measures have been ... "relaxed." IMHO.

• 1 lb. Italian sausages (I used mild) just under one-pound
• 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced into ribbons, some cut in half
• 1/2 large red onion, sliced
• 1 garlic clove per sausage, peeled and sliced
• 1 14.5-ounce can "fire roasted" tomatoes (I used Hunts)
• 1 tablespoon Italian spices or "to taste)
• Pinch or two of Aleppo pepper flakes (fewer if using red pepper flakes)
• Water
• Butter

Heat a kettle of water to boiling. Pour over sausages in a colander. Douse a few times. Remove and pat dry.

Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan. Add a bit of oil and add sausages. Be prepared for splatters. Over a medium, medium-low heat, fry sausages just until they begin to turn brown on at least two sides.

About halfway, add your onions, bell peppers, sliced garlic. When they begin to go limp, add your can of fire-diced tomatoes with juice. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning of choice. Add about 1/2 can of water. Give a good stir. Reduce to simmer and slowly cook for about 2 hours. 

Just before serving, melt in a couple tablespoons butter. 

Serve as is or over rice/pasta. Great with a side of garlic bread, fresh salad and/or melon.

This is easily doubled or tripled (be careful of the garlic and Italian seasonings, though) and great for a picnic instead of the usual hot dogs.

Tuscan White Bean Soup with Sausage and Greens

                                                                                                                                                         

 I arrived in North Carolina 14 years ago right after Easter. The temperature was in the nineties. The humidity was high. And there was so much pollen in the air you could actually see it floating! 

This morning, with Easter right around the corner, I switched on the furnace to take the chill out of the morning air. Brr. In other words, it is still soup season!

This is a pretty straightforward soup and you have have many options. You don't have to add sausage. You can just as easily sub 6 slices of bacon or 6 ounces Pancetta. I prefer the sausage and, if I have it, I snip a slice or two of bacon with it for the added flavor. Why not? If you have the time, roll your sausage into small meatballs.

Your biggest option is the type of greens you use. That will depend what you have on hand, what you can afford, and, today, what you can actually find in the supermarket. I prefer escarole, but it's not easy to locate. If you use Kale, I don't suggest the frizzy kind. I prefer Italian or smooth leaves. It's just more tender. Of course, spinach is just fine as well as collards. I supposed one could use broccoli raab, but it is expensive and often difficult to find.

Canned beans work just fine for this. Just be sure to give a good rinse. If you have fresh cherry tomatoes on hand, do use instead of canned. I like canned roasted, diced tomatoes. It there is a lot of juice, I discard some of it. It's just a personal preference on my part.

For the liquid, I'm a bit persnickety. I suggest half chicken stock and half beef stock. After that, if you it more "soupy" than "stewy," add a bit more water. Chicken stock is too light for a soup like this. I find the addition of beef stock gives it a hearty "lift" it deserves to support all the veggie flavors along with the sausage. Mix in a separate bowl and taste until you get a broth you like. 

If you don't have a Parm. rind, that's okay. But do try to add a rosemary sprig at the end like suggested, but first lightly crush with a rolling pin to gets the oils going. Remember, rosemary is strong in flavor. (I know this sounds really cheap ... but I often strip the needles off of older rosemary and discard. I save the stems in the freezer in a plastic wrap just for recipes such as this ... )

Don't be afraid of the fennel bulb. It mellows as it cooks. Fennel is also good in any chicken soup or with most recipes that use oysters. Chop and freeze what you don't use. If you choose not to use the fennel bulb, the dried herbs are not optional nor is the celery. You may, of course, use all of them. That's the beauty of soup.

If you want a bit of a kick or just some warm heat, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes. I really prefer Aleppo pepper and now use it almost exclusive to red pepper flakes. 

Some people add potatoes to this soup. Some people omit carrots (Many people omit the carrots. I don't think it's traditional Italian to add them, but I like the color.) If you have it on hand, you can also add a few tablespoons washed orzo, which is a nice touch.

• 1 T. Olive Oil
• 3/4-1 pound sweet or mild Italian Sausage casings removed or
• 6 slices bacon or part bacon/part sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped OR 2 leeks, shallots or all three ... about a good cup or so, total
• 2 medium celery ribs cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1-2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (optional)
• 1/2 medium fennel bulb, chopped (optional) and/or celery
• 6 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin, minced, pressed or a combination of all three
• 5-6 cups stock, a mixture of chicken and beef and water--such as two cups chicken, two cups beef, one cup water.
• 2, 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (or beans of your choice)
• 2 medium bay leaves
• A few pinches of dried oregano leaf and thyme leaves (optional)
• A few pinches red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (optional)
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained and lightly rinsed.
• 1 bunch (about 1 pound) of your favorite, fresh greens
• 1 Parmesan rind. (When done with it, simply wipe off and refrigerate to use again.)
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary

In a heavy-bottomed pot, saute sausage and/or bacon along with onion, over medium heat. Break up sausage as it cooks. If necessary, add a drizzle of olive oil to pan. Cook about 8-10 minutes. When meat has rendered its fat, add celery and/or fennel, carrots, garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste, and cook until vegetables begin to soften.

Add your greens, can of tomatoes, bay leaves and, if using, dried oregano and thyme. Stir of low/medium heat for about 5-8 minutes.

Add your broth mixture. Stir ingredients together. If using, throw in Parmesan rind. Bring just to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer. Adjust lid on pot so some steam can escape. Cook for a slow 30 minutes or so. Taste and season with salt if necessary. About 15 minutes or so before serving, add your rosemary stalk. Be sure to remove bay leaves.

SERVING OPTIONS: If you want a thicker soup, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot. If you have it on hand, drizzle in heavy cream to make a "cream soup." To serve simply as a broth soup, to each bowl drizzle on your best olive oil and grate some Italian cheese on top. Or leave off the cheese and squeeze on a few drops of fresh lemon juice.

Garlic Jelly

When I had a small art studio in Michigan, I also had a small gift shop. I sold the inimitable products of Stonewall Kitchen. Their pepper jelly and garlic/onion jam were best sellers. So when I came across this recipe, I jumped on it.

Everyone should make garlic jelly. It's inexpensive. Tasty. Versatile. Ingredients are simple and easy to find. The first time I made it was from sheer curiosity. Now I just often miss it. It's great with pork and lamb. Spread a little on a chicken sandwich. Add a spoonful to pasta ... or mix in with your favorite sauce/gravy. 

You can't beat it with cream cheese on a cracker.

Once, I made it with rosemary--a real knock out. Some people add red pepper flakes or an infusion of parsley.

I prefer 1/2 pint jars because I love to give away as gifts, especially around the holidays.

Yield: About 5-6 cups

• 1/2 cup fresh garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 cups white wine vinegar
• 5.5 cups white sugar
• 3 cups filtered water
• 1, 2-ounce package dry pectin
• 1/4 teaspoon butter
• 2 drops food coloring, (red, green, yellow, orange) optional

1. Combine garlic and vinegar in a 2-qt. saucepan/kettle. Bring to a gentle simmer, not a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Remove pan from heat and carefully pour hot liquid into a one-quart canning jar. Cover and let sit for 24-36 hours.
3. Pour the cooled, flavored vinegar through a wire sieve/strainer, pressing the garlic with the back of a spoon to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
4. Discard residue left in sieve.
5. Measure the liquid. You want one cup. If you need don't have enough liquid, add enough vinegar to make one cup. Set aside.
6. Measure sugar into a bowl.
7. Combine the garlic/vinegar solution and the 3 cups water in 5-6 quart kettle. Add pectin. Stir well to combine.
8. Over med/high heat, bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid scorching. Now add sugar and stir well.
9. Bring to a rolling boil. Add butter to reduce foam. Boil hard for 2 minutes.
10. Remove pan from heat. Carefully skim off foam. If using, add food colorings. 
11. Pour into prepared jelly jars/glasses
12. Seal according to directions on brand of pectin you used.

Irish Beer Bread with Cheddar, Chives and Onions

It's always fun to make a loaf of Irish soda bread for St. Patrick's Day. But, truth be told,  it doesn't really have much on the taste-side. Beer bread is the next option. A bit more flavor ... still ...

But with a full St. Patty's dinner of corned beef, I want something a bit fancier. Tastier. Robust.

So I put together this recipe and could not be more pleased. It's pretty easy. No yeast involved. Filled with savory flavor. Buttery moist on the inside. Crisp, craggy crust on the outside.

Actually, it's a bit rich.

This would, I think, make wonderful muffins. But don't use liners. You want that crust.

I used an authentic white cheddar imported from England. It was wonderful, especially since it was on sale. If you use a white cheese, the color will disappear into the batter. A yellow cheese will confetti the loaf with "orange specks." It's your call. But they do look nice with the green flecks of chives.

You could also use a Gruyere or soft white Italian, such as Fontina. I think a combo would be nice, including Parmesan. I would avoid a basic Swiss or American ...

Before beginning, first add the dried onions to the beer to hydrate and to increase flavor.

Preheat oven to 375 F degrees. Grease/spray/line a 9 x 5 loaf pan. 

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (385 grams) reserve about one tablespoon
• 3 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 5 tablespoons cold butter cut into pieces (for the batter)
• 4 additional tablespoons butter, melted (for basting as it bakes)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced, fresh chives, dusted with reserved tablespoon of flour
• 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 12 ounces beer (a light lager preferred)
• 1 1/4 cups 140 grams shredded Cheddar cheese

In one of your favored, antique ceramic bowls, combine all dry ingredients. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles medium/fine crumbs.

Stir in beer/dried-onion liquid until combined. 

Fold in cheese.

Fold in chives.

Evenly spread batter into loaf pan. Baste with 1/3 butter. Bake for 20 minutes.

Baste again with 1/3 butter mixture, turning pan.

After 20 minutes, baste with remaining butter, turning pan, until inserted toothpick comes out clean. You are looking for a temp. of about 200 F degrees. Since this is a wet batter, I highly suggest taking the temp.

Remove from oven. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Remove from pan onto wire rack. Let rest for a good 30 minutes before slicing.

This was great spread with English marmalade and served with fried eggs for breakfast. I think a fig jam would be ... jammy!

I have not tried it yet, but would be interesting to bake individual, small loaves, especially if you have an eatery ... Great for St. Patrick's Day gifts.

Here is my recipe traditional Irish Soda Bread: http://www.kitchenbounty.com/2013/03/traditional-irish-soda-bread.html

Similar, is Australia's national bread, Damper: http://www.kitchenbounty.com/2016/05/damper-national-quick-bread-of-australia.html

My best and favorite Irish bread with dried fruits and caraway is here! You will not be disappointed: http://www.kitchenbounty.com/2011/03/irish-soda-bread-spotted-dick.html