Saturday, May 14, 2016

Versatile Italian veggie and sausage topper!

Hi everybody! The Fresh Pioneer is back and I have a fun dinner that is truly versatile. My friend Mindy shared this with me and I (FINALLY) tried it out. So delicious! We're big fans of this now. I'm not sure what to call it because it can be changed and tweaked in many ways, so I'll just say it's a versatile Italian veggie and sausage dish!
 It's a super easy dish but involves a lot of chopping. Get out that food processor, or if you're like me, ask those teenagers to help!
You'll need:
3 red bell peppers
6 celery stalks
3 lbs mushrooms
2 lbs Italian flavored sausage
 So bright and fresh looking!
 So, once the sausage has cooked and the veggies are starting to soften, you can add several options:
2 large cans tomato sauce
OR
2 large cans chopped tomatoes
OR
1 large container V8 (spicy version or regular)

Start adding spices. We've cooked this with spicy V8 and added Italian seasoning, with regular tomato sauce and added cumin and oregano, and with canned tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
It makes a difference because...

Here's the really versatile part:
you can serve this over noodles, in a bread bowl, or over rice pilaf. I even had some leftover over steamed cauliflower. SO GOOD! I really think this might be one of those recipes you can't ruin.
So, there you have it! A dish I waited way too long to try, and now is a family favorite. It sounds simple and ordinary, but the flavor is a crowd-pleaser. Thank you, Mindy!
 Here's my oldest so kindly giving her sweatshirt to my youngest at a baseball game. I'm so happy it's warmed up a little because those first games were COLD.
Happy, happy Spring! (Today it was 86F but the night is still chilly, so I'm sticking with "Spring".)

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to stop by my author page at Mary Jane Hathaway, or at my blog The Things That Last!

12 comments:

  1. Well this is kind of sausage stew. Looks delicious. Must give it a try. Thanks.

    101 here today. Open oven and stick head in. Pretty much the same.

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    1. My grandma used to make hamburger soup with (obviously) hamburger, tomatoes, celery...

      And I think we've only got a few more weeks before I stop COOKING and just start shoving raw food at people.

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  2. Ruthy, BTW, if your son wants good hot dogs, send him to Portillo's Hotdogs. Chicago hot dogs. They are in Scottsdale.

    http://www.portillos.com/

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    1. I'll tell them. Zweigle's sets the bar high, though... You know, taste of home, etc. Zweigles and Abbott's Frozen Custard, Home sweet Home!

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    2. Why're you talking about sausages??? WHY? (I have no sausage place near me. :( )

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  3. This looks like I could tweak it into a vegetarian recipe. Yum. Love all the fresh veggies. I'm going to the season's first outdoor market this morning. Not sure what will be available up here since it's early days for us yet but it's such a welcome sign of spring/summer. Happy weekending!

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    1. Kav, I found a farmer's market/out door market in Phoenix when I was there... so fun!

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    2. A farmer's market in a warm climate is AMAZING! Ours is just starting to perk up and offer anything mre than spinach and chard.

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  4. I think I would love this!!! I can't wait to try it. Over noodles or rice, I think.

    Virginia, I laughed at your comment above about shoving raw food at people once it gets hot. LOL

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    1. HAHAHA! It's so true. You know it's hot when it's too hot to boil pasta.

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  5. Mary Jane, this looks wonderful. I'm going to try this this week, I've got a bunch of mild Italian sausage in the freezer, and I'm totally in on this.

    I might just eat it without anything.... It sounds marvelous just like it is, dear author!!!

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  6. That's the way I had it. :) It was so filling and savory. Perfect! (Everyone else had theirs over pasta or home made bread.)

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