Sausage and Peppers

No Thanksgiving is complete without some traditional side dishes. One such must-have side dish besides creamy mashed potatoes and turkey gravy is sausage and peppers. There are many variations of this simple yet tasty dish. You can bake it in the oven, have it grilled to perfection, or even make an Italian pasta dish out of it.

Leftovers can be used in a sandwich the day after Thanksgiving. For best results and great flavor, use organic and good quality turkey sausages. Different types of bell peppers like red, yellow, and green peppers can be used together to give the dish depth of flavor and to make it visually appealing.

Ingredients

• Sweet Italian sausage,2 lb.
• Red onion, 1 (sliced)
• Red peppers, 2
• Yellow peppers, 2
• Garlic, 2 cloves (minced)
• Dry red wine, 2 cups
• Chili, 1 (minced)
• Fresh basil leaves, 6
• Whole tomatoes, 1 can
• Fresh oregano, 1 tsp.
• Black pepper, ½ tsp.
• Black salt, ½ tsp.

Method
Wash the red and yellow bell peppers and roast them in an oven at 320ºF for about 15 minutes. Once the peppers are soft, remove the skin and cut them into ½ inch strips. In a skillet add a bit of vegetable oil and sauté the sliced onions and roasted bell peppers over medium heat. Add the salt, black pepper, minced chili, and garlic and cook them until the onions and bell peppers are soft and tender.

In another skillet sauté the turkey sausages until they are golden-brown and the skin is slightly crispy. After they are cooked, add the dry red wine and allow the sausages to simmer in the wine. Next add the sautéed bell peppers and onions mixture along with the can of tomatoes. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over a low flame for 25 - 30 minutes. When the sauce reduces, transfer the sausages and peppers into a shallow dish and serve.

Ingredients

• Italian turkey sausages, 5
• Red onions, 2 (sliced)
• Bread rolls, 5
• Red bell pepper, 1
• Yellow bell pepper, 1
• Green bell pepper, 1
• Mayonnaise, 5 tbsp.
• Parsley, 1 tbsp.
• Black pepper, ½ tsp. (freshly ground)
• Vegetable oil, 2 tbsp.
• Dried oregano, 1 tbsp.
• Salt, ½ tsp.

Method
Wash the green, red, and yellow peppers in running water and then cut them into ¾ inch strips, making sure that you remove all the seeds. Heat the grill and brush the sausages with a bit of oil. Place them on the hot grill and cook them until the sausages are golden-brown in color. Meanwhile, heat a skillet and add oil in it. When the oil is hot, add the sliced onions and the bell peppers along with the parsley, dried oregano, salt, and pepper and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft.

Cut the bread roll into half and apply mayonnaise liberally on it. Place a sausage in between the roll and stuff it with the fried onions and peppers. Make the 4 other sandwiches in the same way and serve with extra mayonnaise.

Ingredients

• Rigatoni pasta, 1½ cup
• Red onion, 1 small (sliced)
• Green bell pepper, ½ (cut into strips)
• Mild Italian sausage, 1 lb.
• Red bell pepper, ½ (cut into strips)
• Garlic, 2 cloves (minced)

• Red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp.
• Olive oil, 1 tbsp.
• Black pepper, ¼ tsp.
• Salt, 1½ tbsp.
• Chicken broth, ½ cup
• Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup (grated)
• Fresh basil, ¼ cup (chopped)

Method
In a large saucepan, boil some water and add 1 tablespoon of salt to it. When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta into it and cook or 10 - 12 minutes until pasta is all done. Drain the pasta from water and pour ice-cold water over it. Drain again and place it aside.

In a large skillet or frying pan, fry the sausage until it is golden. Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic and cook until the onions and bell peppers are tender. Next pour in the chicken broth, cooked pasta, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper. When the sauce reduces, transfer the pasta to a serving dish. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil to serve.

Turkey sausages can be substituted with duck or pork sausages or any other sausage recipes. Now that you know how to make sausage and peppers, you can serve them to your family and friends.